New Delhi, April 8 -- The world championship marathon will be an annual separate event beginning in 2030, breaking with a decades-old tradition of running it as part of the full worlds track meet.

World Athletics said Tuesday that the race will continue to be held in odd-numbered years, same as the world championships, but at a different time and place.

There will also be a world marathon championship in even-numbered years, and the federation is negotiating with Athens to hold the first standalone world championship marathon in 2030.

World Athletics president Seb Coe called the move "an opportunity to create a dedicated global celebration of marathon running, held in a setting that honors its heritage while shaping a modern championsh...