Newcastle hosted the first World Athletics Half Marathon Championships in 1992.
The inaugural championships were held in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, in 1992. The event brought national teams together for a global road-running competition over 21.0975 kilometres, exactly half the official marathon distance.
The championship was originally known as the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. It later changed names as the sport’s governing body became World Athletics.
Half-marathon championships are related to marathon running but are not marathon races themselves. The shorter distance makes the event faster, while still requiring endurance and pacing. The competition has also provided a pathway for runners who later become major marathon champions.