London Marathon Expands for One-Off Two-Day Format
The renowned London Marathon will be extended to a two-day spectacle in 2027, marking a special, singular occurrence for the event. This decision comes after organizers explored options to accommodate a larger number of participants, following an unprecedented 1.33 million entries in the ballot for the upcoming year's race.
Scheduled for Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25, 2027, this expanded format aims to enable 100,000 individuals to participate in the London Marathon. This effectively doubles the chances of ballot success for aspiring runners. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events (LME), anticipates that this initiative will generate over £150 million for charitable causes and contribute an estimated £400 million to the UK economy.
Individuals who applied for next year's event will automatically be entered into a ballot for both the Saturday and Sunday races, with results expected to be announced in early July.
“The 2027 London Marathon double is our most ambitious evolution to date - a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be,” stated Brasher. “By expanding to 100,000 runners across two days, we're opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world's greatest marathon.”
Record Applications and Economic Impact
The 2027 London Marathon saw a staggering 1,338,544 applications, surpassing the previous record of 1,133,813 for the 2026 event. The 2026 marathon also set a record for finishers with 59,830 and was recognized as the largest annual one-day fundraising event globally, having raised over £90 million for charity by its participants.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed his support, remarking, “London is the sporting capital of the world and I am delighted that, for one year only in 2027, the world famous London Marathon will expand into a two-day event.”
Event Details and Future Plans
Brasher emphasized that this two-day expansion is strictly a one-off event, prompted by the extraordinary number of applicants for 2027. He revealed that the concept has been under development for nine years, with initial plans for a 2020 launch failing to secure necessary permissions. The proposed structure for the two days involves separating the elite fields and certain participant categories. One day would feature elite women, elite female wheelchair athletes, championship, and 'good for age' women leading the mass event, while the other day would see elite men, elite male wheelchair athletes, championship, and 'good for age' men leading their respective mass events. However, organizers confirm that all specific format details will be finalized in the coming months.
All 100,000 participants over the two days will run the traditional London Marathon route from Greenwich to Westminster. Brasher clarified that a ballot draw will first be conducted for the Sunday race (the usual marathon day), followed by a second draw for the Saturday event. Additionally, the Mini London Marathon, involving over 20,000 young participants, will take place on the Friday.
Any additional revenue generated from the two-day format will be allocated by the London Marathon Foundation to projects focused on inspiring physical activity among children and young people across London and the wider UK.