In an unprecedented move, the London Marathon will extend into a two-day event in 2027, marking a historic change for the iconic race. Scheduled for the weekend of April 24–25, this expansion aims to accommodate an impressive 100,000 runners. This change comes as a response to overwhelming interest, with over 1.3 million hopefuls entering the public ballot. Despite the larger capacity, the likelihood of securing a spot remains slim, with odds still below 10%.
This enlarged marathon is anticipated to be a record-breaking fundraising event, with organizers predicting it will bring in more than £150 million for charity. This figure would make it the most successful fundraising event in UK sporting history. Additionally, the marathon is set to generate approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits, underscoring its significant impact beyond just athletics.
The weekend will be structured to maximize participation and excitement. The first day will see the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, the championship, and the “Good for Age” women’s races, along with a mass participation event featuring nearly 50,000 runners. The following day will spotlight the elite men’s race, accompanied by another mass participation event of similar scale. This format ensures that each day offers both competitive races and opportunities for thousands of amateur runners to join in.
Participants will be allowed to run on only one of the two days, maintaining the integrity and safety of the event. The results of the ballot are set to be announced in early July, providing runners plenty of time to prepare. Though this two-day format is confirmed as a one-off celebration, the marathon is expected to revert to its traditional single-day schedule in subsequent years.