The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event. This change will allow an unprecedented 100,000 runners to participate over the weekend of April 24-25. This one-time alteration in the marathon’s format comes in response to an overwhelming demand, as more than 1.3 million people applied through the public ballot. Despite this expansion, the likelihood of securing a spot remains under 10% due to the high volume of interest.
Organizers anticipate that the enlarged event will generate over £150 million for charitable causes, positioning it as the largest fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is expected to provide approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits. The unique two-day schedule aims to accommodate the increased number of participants while maintaining the event’s prestigious reputation.
The marathon weekend will kick off with the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” women’s races. These will occur alongside a mass participation event involving nearly 50,000 runners. The second day will feature the elite men’s race as its highlight, along with another significant mass participation event. By splitting the races across two days, organizers hope to offer a smoother experience for both the competitors and the spectators.
Each participant will be limited to competing on one of the two days, with results from the ballot expected to be announced in early July. This special two-day format is confirmed as a one-off celebration, and the London Marathon is planned to return to its traditional single-day format in subsequent years. The 2027 event promises to be a landmark occasion in the marathon’s storied history, setting new benchmarks for participation and charitable contributions.