World Athletics Label Road Races

World Athletics Label Road Races
Logos of World Athletics Road Races Label in 2023
SportRoad running
Founded2008
ContinentGlobal
Official websitehttps://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races

World Athletics Label Road Races are races that World Athletics (until 2019: IAAF) designates as the "leading road races around the world."[1] The classification was first introduced for the 2008 running season, upon the suggestion of the IAAF Road Running Commission.[2] The races are split into three categories: marathons, half marathons and other. Within the "other" category are traditional road race distances, over which World Athletics world records can be set, along with some "Classical races", which span unusual distances.[1] The Labels are considered a prestigious award by race organisers,[3][4][5] and include the six World Marathon Majors. Platinium Label races have the strictest requirements, followed by Gold, then Elite, and general Label Races. All categories require what the World Athletics describes as an international elite field, that requires at least five nations for the highest labels to be represented by runners with times faster than the World Athletics's guidelines. Additionally, the race course must be closed to vehicular traffic, and measured to the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) standard, with full electronic timing used to generate the results.

In the first year, only Gold and Silver Labels were awarded, and 49 races were recognised.[6] A third tier was introduced in 2010, entitled the Bronze Label,[7] and in 2015, 88 races were listed in total.[8] Starting in the 2023 season, only four tiers are used: Platinum Label, Gold Label, Elite Label and Label.[9]

Old IAAF Road Race Label logos
The old IAAF Road Race Label logos

In October 2018, the IAAF announced to introduced the Platinum Label for the 2020 season.[10] For the 2021, the Platinum Label was renamed Elite Platinum Label, the Gold Label was renamed Elite Label, and the Silver and Bronze Labels were merged into Label Races. Then, in 2023, the Elite Platinum Label reverts to the Platinum Label and the Gold Label re-emerges, becoming an intermediate tier between the Elite and Platinum Labels.

The Labels are assessed and awarded each year. Race organisers have to apply to the World Athletics for recognition, and show that their race can meet a number of criteria. The criteria vary for the different levels;[11] The race must be organised in a way that minimizes ecological damage to the surrounding areas. A specified number of doping tests must be carried out, and prize money for the participants should be equal, irrespective of gender or nationality, though additional rewards can be given to runners from the host nation.[1]

In 2017, Japan had the most road race Label events, with 9, although the Czech Republic hosted the most Gold Label events, 7.[12] 3 races on the African continent received Label status in 2015.[8]

  1. ^ a b c "IAAF Road Race Labels: Regulations 2014" (PDF). International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  2. ^ "IAAF awards Gold and Silver Labels for Road Races". IAAF. 20 December 2007. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  3. ^ "EMF Awarded IAAF Bronze". Edinburgh Marathon Festival. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Three Indian road races get IAAF 'Gold Label'". The Hindu. 23 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 November 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Vienna City Marathon receives IAAF Road Race Gold Label". Vienna City Marathon. 19 September 2011. Archived from the original on 5 January 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  6. ^ "Calendar: 2008". IAAF. Archived from the original on 9 August 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  7. ^ "Calendar: 2010". IAAF. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Calendar: 2014". IAAF. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  9. ^ "World Athletics Label Road Races | World Athletics". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  10. ^ IAAF release new regulations and launch Platinum Label for road races Archived 6 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine – Florence Almond, Inside the Games, 8 October 2018
  11. ^ "Book of Rules | Official Documents". worldathletics.org. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Calendar, Gold labels: 2017". IAAF. Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2018.