A bold new era is coming for race walking — but not everyone is sure what to think. World Athletics has announced a groundbreaking change: starting in 2026, race walking competitions will feature half-marathon and marathon distances. According to President Sebastian Coe, this move aims to make the sport more relatable and exciting for fans who may not fully appreciate the incredible pace of elite race walkers. But here's where it gets interesting — this shift could completely reshape how the sport is viewed and measured.
Speaking during a virtual media call on Tuesday, Coe explained that for the upcoming World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships on April 12, 2026, the traditional 20-kilometer walk will be replaced by a half marathon, and the 35-kilometer event will evolve into a full marathon race walk. It will mark the first appearance of these distances at a major international track and field competition — a significant milestone that could redefine the sport’s connection to mainstream athletics.
“I believe it’s a smart and timely change,” Coe said. “When spectators can associate race walking distances with familiar runs like marathons or half marathons, they can better grasp just how fast and skilled these athletes really are.” He also hinted that the new format could become a long-term fixture, potentially aligning perfectly with future Olympic programs.
This isn’t the first time race walking has undergone transformation. Over the past decade, the event has seen a series of adjustments meant to modernize and balance gender representation. For example, women’s 50km races were introduced in the 2017 and 2019 World Championships alongside men’s events. However, these were later phased out before reaching the Olympics, giving way to a more compact 35km race that premiered at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon. The men’s 50km discipline was even eliminated from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, replaced by a mixed marathon race walk relay to bring men and women together in a single event.
Adding another twist to the evolving story, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled its athletics schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Games, confirming that both men and women will compete only in the half marathon distance for race walking. That means the full marathon distance may stay exclusive to non-Olympic competitions — at least for now.
So, what do you think? Is introducing half and full marathons to race walking a smart way to make the sport more audience-friendly, or does it risk diluting its unique identity? Should race walking stick to tradition, or embrace change to stay relevant in modern athletics? Let’s talk — share your thoughts below.
