World Athletics will introduce half-marathon and marathon distances in race walking from 2026 to make the sport more relatable for fans, president Sebastian Coe said.
At the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships on April 12, 2026, the 20km event will be replaced by a half-marathon, while the 35km race will become a marathon walk, marking their debut at a major international meet. Coe said familiar distances will help audiences better appreciate the speed and skill of race walkers. He expects the changes to be long term and suitable for the Olympic programme.