Under new guidelines agreed at the 44th IAAF Congress in Paris in August, world records will now be recognised in men's and women's road races from 10km to 100km, including the marathon, and 20km and 50km race walking.
Until now records in these events had been officially acknowledged as world bests by the IAAF.
Paula Radcliffe, who set a new best for women's marathon in London last April of two hours 15.25 minutes and who can now boast the 10km and 20km road world records, said the decision will help to raise the profile of road running.
"I think this is a big step forward," the British runner said on the IAAF's website. "I think road running has caught the public's imagination as a lot more people participate in road events than in track events in general.
"It's important to get rid of the confusion over world bests and world records."
Poland's Robert Korzeniowski becomes the inaugural world record holder at the men's 50km race walk.
