AIMS was firmly established in May 1982 with its first Congress held in London. For two years previously informal meetings had been held amongst some of the world's leading Marathon Race Directors with a view to setting up such an association. Meetings were held in New York, Honolulu and other venues prior to the formal meeting in London.
Initially the thought behind the establishment of AIMS was to provide a Forum for the exchange of ideas that would help to improve each attending Director's Race. But once it was decided to write Articles of Association, it was found necessary to go beyond the exchange of ideas and to set some basic rules to govern the Association and membership.
As stated in Article Two of the Association, the objectives of the Association shall be to:
- Foster and Promote Distance Running throughout the world.
- Work with the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF, now World Athletics) on matters relating to International Road Races.
- Exchange information, knowledge and expertise among the members of the Association.
From those beginnings over 40 years ago, AIMS has made remarkable progress.
At the 5th World Congress in 1989, held in Melbourne, Australia, membership was extended beyond Marathons to include all Road Races.
AIMS has become a major force behind the development and progress of Road Running throughout the World. From an initial membership of 28 in 1982, it has grown to 460 Members in over 125 Countries with most of the World's Premier Marathons and many of the Major Road Races at other Distances, as Members.
AIMS firmly established Course Measurement Procedures which were later adopted by World Athletics.
AIMS recognised world fastest times on the road before World Records were acknowledged by IAAF. It was only in 2003 that discussions finally resulted in agreement on criteria to define courses on which performances would be eligible for ratification as World Records.
Further co-operation between the IAAF and AIMS expanded Instructional Seminars in Course Measurement to be held in various parts of the world.
An AIMS Yearbook had been published since the early years of AIMS but from the early 1990s this gradually evolved into an A4 size full colour quarterly Magazine distributed through the Membership. Annual circulation peaked with the expansion of online alternatives. AIMS has been fortunate in the excellent relationship it has with its sponsors. ChampionChip B.V., a company that led innovation in Chip Timing for Road Running, was a Sponsor for many years. ASICS Corporation was also a long-term Sponsor and established initiatives such as the 'AIMS/ASICS Athletes of the Year Awards'. AIMS has enjoyed long-term sponsorship from 1000km Promotions and Marathon Photos.com.
In 2010 AIMS held the World Congress in Athens, alongside celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon. The AIMS Symposium had been set up in Athens a few years earlier and, following the World Congress, this was further expanded to become a full-blown Gala recognising the Best Marathon Runner (Male and Female) for the year.
When Covid 19 hit, AIMS and the sport of running in general, ground to a sudden halt. A few Member Races managed to get through the Covid years without missing an Edition. The downturn in numbers took time to reverse but AIMS Membership is now approaching 500. AIMS will continue to make efforts to go forward with the objective to Promote Running, the great sport of the world, in keeping closer relationships with supporters and members alike.
For Further Information on AIMS please contact:
AIMS Web site:
www.aims-worldrunning.org
http://aims-worldrunning.org/calendar.html
The latest edition of 'Distance Running' magazine is available at:
http://aims-worldrunning.org/drmag/latest.html