World Athletics announced plans for a standalone World Marathon Championships beginning in 2030, with Greece potentially hosting the inaugural event. The marathon will remain part of the World Athletics Championships in 2027 and 2029 before becoming its own annual competition.

Starting in 2030, men and women will compete in alternate years for the marathon title, while the annual Road Running Championships will continue separately. This restructuring creates a dedicated championship cycle for one of the sport's most prestigious events.

Lord Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, expressed excitement about exploring options with Athens. Coe described the marathon as an "iconic discipline" that deserved its own championship spotlight, signaling enhanced focus on road racing within the international athletics calendar.