London Marathon to Expand into a One‑Off Two‑Day Event in 2027

The London Marathon will be run over two days in a special one‑off edition in 2027.

Organisers said the change aims to accommodate more participants after a record 1.33 million people entered the ballot for next year’s race.

The two races, scheduled for Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April, will allow up to 100 000 runners to take part, effectively doubling the chances of entry for ballot applicants.

According to Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, the format is expected to generate more than £150 million for charities and add roughly £400 million to the UK economy.

All applicants for the 2027 race will be entered into both the Saturday and Sunday ballots, with results announced in early July.

Brasher called the “2027 London Marathon Double” the most ambitious evolution of the event to date, describing it as a once‑in‑a‑generation reimagining of a marathon and city‑wide celebration of activity.

“By expanding to 100 000 runners across two days, we’re opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world’s greatest marathon,” he said. “We believe the event can raise over £150 million for good causes and deliver a £400 million social and economic benefit for the UK.”

He thanked the Mayor of London, local councils, emergency services and other stakeholders for supporting this world‑first initiative.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said London is “the sporting capital of the world” and expressed delight that the marathon will expand for one year only.

“The London Marathon showcases the very best of our capital, and we will work closely with London Marathon Events and partners to ensure appropriate measures are in place for the entire weekend as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone,” Khan added.

A total of 1 338 544 people applied for the 2027 marathon, breaking the previous record of 1 133 813 applicants for 2026.

The 2026 marathon recorded a historic 59 830 finishers and raised more than £90 million for charity.

Kenya’s Sebastian Sawe also made history by becoming the first athlete to run a sub‑two‑hour marathon in a competitive race.

Brasher emphasized that the two‑day format is a one‑year experiment, prompted by the “astonishing total of applicants” for 2027.

The concept, first proposed in 2017 and delayed until now, will see elite women, elite female para‑athletes, championship and “good for age” women lead one day’s mass event, with elite men, elite male para‑athletes, championship and “good for age” men leading the other.

All 100 000 participants will follow the traditional London Marathon route from Greenwich to Westminster.

The ballot draw will be held first for the Sunday race—the usual marathon day—followed by a second draw for Saturday.

A “Mini London Marathon” for more than 20 000 young participants will take place on the preceding Friday.

Any additional income generated by the two‑day format will be distributed by the London Marathon Foundation to projects that promote activity among children and young people across London and the UK.

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