World Athletics announced a major restructuring of marathon competition on the global stage with plans for a dedicated World Marathon Championships set to debut in 2030. The inaugural host city will likely be Athens, Greece.

Here's what you need to know:

The marathon will stay in the World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029 and then move to its own event from 2030. By 2031, no road running distances will appear at the World Championships.

The new championship will be annual, with men and women competing in alternate years.

Athens, the birthplace of the modern marathon, is in formal exploratory talks to host the inaugural edition in 2030. As a result, World Athletics has awarded the Athens Marathon Elite Label status and outlined a multi-year investment plan to modernize the historic Marathon-to-Athens course. Athens is targeting Platinum Label status, which is the World Athletics' highest road racing designation, by 2029.

What they're saying:

World Athletics president Seb Coe: “Few events in sport carry the weight and resonance of the marathon; it is both a test of the very highest performance and a celebration of mass participation. This is an opportunity to create a dedicated global celebration of marathon running, held in a setting that honours its heritage while shaping a modern championship that reflects the scale and spirit of the global running community."

World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon: “The marathon is one of the most universal events in sport, and Athens is its spiritual home. Exploring the possibility of a future standalone World Marathon Championships here reflects our ambition to bring the sport’s greatest global showcase back to where it all began. This roadmap ensures the event meets the rigorous technical and operational standards required for the world’s most prestigious stage.”