The London Marathon is set to break new ground in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, scheduled for the weekend of April 24-25. This unprecedented expansion will accommodate a record 100,000 runners, a significant increase designed to address the overwhelming interest, as evidenced by over 1.3 million entries in the public ballot. Despite this increase in capacity, the likelihood of securing a spot remains below 10%, given the massive demand.
This expanded format is poised to become the largest charity fundraising event in the history of UK sports, with expectations of raising over £150 million for various causes. Additionally, the marathon is anticipated to contribute approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits, underscoring its significance beyond just the running community.
The event will unfold with a carefully structured schedule over the two days. The first day will feature the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” categories, alongside a mass participation event involving nearly 50,000 runners. The following day will spotlight the elite men’s race, complemented by another large-scale mass participation event.
Each participant will be allowed to compete on only one of the two days, maintaining the exclusivity and competitive spirit of the marathon. The results of the ballot are anticipated to be announced in early July, providing runners clarity on their participation status. While this two-day format is confirmed as a one-time celebration, the London Marathon plans to revert to its traditional single-day event in future editions.