The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, a first in its timeline, to accommodate a record-breaking 100,000 runners over the weekend of April 24-25. This temporary change in format comes in response to an unprecedented demand, as more than 1.3 million individuals entered the public ballot for participation. Despite the significant increase in available spots, the likelihood of securing a place will still remain under 10%.
Organizers anticipate that this expanded event will not only enhance runner participation but will also result in raising over £150 million for charity. This would establish it as the largest fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is projected to contribute around £400 million in social and economic benefits, further emphasizing its substantial impact beyond the sporting realm.
The weekend schedule is designed to accommodate a variety of races: the first day will feature the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” women’s races, alongside a mass participation event comprising nearly 50,000 runners. On the second day, the elite men’s race will serve as the highlight, accompanied by another large-scale mass participation event.
To manage the increased number of participants, runners will be allowed to compete on only one of the two days. The results of the ballot, which determines who will run on which day, are expected to be announced in early July. While this two-day format is confirmed to be a one-time celebration, organizers have stated that subsequent editions of the London Marathon will revert to the traditional single-day format.