Monte-Carlo - Following a recommendation by the IAAF Competition Commission regarding Women's World Records for Road Events, the IAAF Council has approved the continued recognition of the currently existing World Records, regardless of the type of race in which they were achieved (mixed or women only) and new records will be officially recognized and ratified only if achieved in women-only races.
The 48th IAAF Congress in Daegu, Korea, approved that from now on, a Women's World Record on the Road can no longer be set in a race in which the record setter is competing against men. At the same time, however, no announcement was made about existing World Records, some of which were achieved in mixed races.
To be consistent with previous decisions taken in relation to changes to other World Records recognition principles, the Commission felt that the current World Records are still valid, which prompted their recommendation to Council which has been approved.
FURTHER READING
The full announcement may be read on the IAAF website.
World Marathon Majors position on the Congress decision (20 September 2011)
