The World Age Group Championships will return to next year's London Marathon for a second running ©Abbott WMM

Age Group World Championships, inaugurally held within this year’s London Marathon, will return to the same venue for a second edition next year.

Organisers at Abbott World Marathon Majors (WMM) confirmed that the new event will return to the English capital when the 2022 running of the race is due to take place on October 2.

After 150 qualifying races around the globe in the past year, a total of 3,300 entrants from 82 countries were in the running for Wanda World Age Group honours at this year’s London Marathon as they competed within male or female age group categories ranging from 40-44 to 80-plus.

Among the outstanding performances was that of Yuko Gordon, who ran for Hong Kong in the first women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984, and who won the women's 70-74 category in 3 hours 25min 30sec.

Tim Hadzima, executive director for WMM, said: "It was wonderful to see all our age group runners putting down some incredible performances in our inaugural event in London.

"It is great that we will be returning to London for the World Championships next year and with just less than three months to qualify, I am sure lots of runners will be keeping a close eye on the rankings hoping they will be in contention for the top spots.

"Good luck to everyone pushing for a World Championship place."

Successful runners pictured after the inaugural Age Group World Championships, run within this year's London Marathon, which will return to the same venue next year ©Abbott WMM
Successful runners pictured after the inaugural Age Group World Championships, run within this year's London Marathon, which will return to the same venue next year ©Abbott WMM

London Marathon event director Hugh Brasher added: "This year’s London Marathon was a truly special day and it was wonderful to welcome age group runners from all over the world to London.

"We are delighted to be hosting the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Championships again next October and celebrating the achievements of these inspiring runners."

Qualifying for the 2022 World Championships began on January 1 this year and runs until December 31.

There are three pathways for runners to earn their place in London next year, firstly in-person events, in the form of more than 160 races remaining in a qualifying series, covering 80 countries and spanning six continents.

Runners can earn ranking points at a maximum of two qualifying events.

Virtual qualifying events and thirdly the Abbott WWM Global Marathon.

The edition on May 1 and 2 which offered 100 places for the 2022 World Championships and the second Global Marathon on November 13 and 14 will also offer 100 places.

Runners who qualify for a place will be notified early 2022 once the rankings have closed and results have been verified.