By Frank Dalleres UK Athletics has formed a pioneering joint venture with the organisers of the London Marathon and Great North Run that will see major events underwritten by the private sector. Athletic Ventures will deliver the annual Diamond League meet in the UK and the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. It is also set to lead a bid to host the World Athletics Championships in Britain in 2029 and lead the search for new sponsors to fund the loss-making sport. UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner called it a “groundbreaking model for the development of athletics and for major spo…