The London Marathon is set to break new ground in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, enabling 100,000 runners to compete over the weekend of April 24-25. This historic change aims to address the overwhelming interest from more than 1.3 million hopeful participants who entered the public ballot. Despite this expansion, the chances of obtaining a spot in the race will still remain below 10%, reflecting the immense popularity of the event.
Organizers anticipate that this enlarged marathon will generate over £150 million for charity, marking 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, underscoring its significance beyond just the athletic realm.
The weekend’s schedule will be divided to accommodate different categories of racers. 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 with nearly 50,000 runners. The second day will be highlighted by the elite men’s race, accompanied by another large-scale mass participation event, allowing thousands more to experience the marathon.
To ensure fair competition, participants will be allowed to run only on one of the two days. The results of the ballot are slated to be announced in early July, giving runners ample time to prepare for this unique event. Although the two-day format is confirmed as a special one-time celebration, the London Marathon plans to return to its traditional single-day schedule in subsequent years.