Which organization maintains the official world records for marathon running?

World Athletics maintains the official world records for marathon running.

World Athletics is the international governing body for track and field, cross-country, road running, race walking, and mountain and trail running. It recognizes marathon world records when performances meet its rules, including requirements concerning course measurement, timing, competition conditions, and eligibility.

The organization was founded in 1912 as the International Amateur Athletic Federation, commonly known as the IAAF. It adopted the name World Athletics in 2019. Official marathon records are separate from faster performances achieved in specially staged exhibitions that do not satisfy record-eligibility rules.

The World Marathon Majors is a series of major races rather than the sport’s governing authority. The International Olympic Committee governs the Olympic Games, but it does not maintain the complete official road-running record list.