Glasgow 2026 will stage track and field but no marathons

Track and field athletics is one of 10 sports that will unfold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but there will be no marathons on the road

A scaled-back programme of 10 sports at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will feature athletics for able-bodied and para athletes. But the road marathons will not take place at the Games as sports like hockey, badminton, cricket and rugby sevens have also been dropped.

Commonwealth Games marathon winners over the years include Rob de Castella, Lisa Martin, Kerryn McCann, Douglas Wakiihuri and Ron Hill. But there will be no champions in 2026.

The Games have moved to Glasgow after the Australian state of Victoria pulled out because of rising costs. Glasgow last held the event in 2014.

A total of 3000 athletes from up to 74 Commonwealth nations and territories are expected to compete at the 2026 Games. The 10 sports that will feature in 2026 was originally due to be 22 if the event had taken place in Australia, though.

Rob de Castella (Mark Shearman)

In addition to athletics, which is due to take place at Scotstoun Stadium, the other sports in 2026 are swimming, basketball, artistic gymnastics, boxing, judo, lawn bowls, netball, track cycling and weightlifting. As with the marathons, the sport of cycling will also lose its road races.

Katie Sadleir, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), said: “The Games promise to be a truly immersive festival of sport and celebration of culture and diversity that inspires athletes and sports – with a fan experience more accessible than ever before.”

First Minister John Swinney said: “While Glasgow 2026 will look quite different to previous Games, we can, and we must, use this as an opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure that this new concept brings a strong and sustainable future for the games.”

The Scottish Secretary Ian Murray called the confirmation a “a great example of the UK and Scottish governments working together to deliver for Scotland”, citing the £2.3m put forward by the UK government for security costs.

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