The world athletics federation has decided to limit the annual cross country world championships to a biennial event.
The IAAF congress decided on the move overnight with a 132-22 vote.
Cross country has lost popularity to road racing over the past few years and top distance racers often disregard the traditional even which has previously been held every year.
It had already been downgraded though when the short-course race was cut in 2007.
Ethiopian and Kenyan runners have deoeminated the event over the past 20 years, breaking the long domination of Europeans and Americans.
