In an unprecedented move, the London Marathon is set to break new ground in 2027 by expanding its format to a two-day affair, enabling a record number of 100,000 runners to join the event over the weekend of 24–25 April. This temporary alteration aims to accommodate the surging interest, as evidenced by over 1.3 million hopefuls entering the public ballot. Despite the increased capacity, participants will face stiff competition, with the odds of securing a spot remaining under 10%.
The expanded marathon is poised to make a significant impact, with organizers forecasting a fundraising total exceeding £150 million for charity. This milestone will position it as the largest charitable event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is expected to bring about £400 million in social and economic gains, underscoring its importance beyond the realm of athletics.
The schedule for the weekend has been meticulously planned, with the first day dedicated to the elite women’s, elite female para-athletes, and championship races. It will also feature the “Good for Age” women’s races and a mass participation event involving close to 50,000 runners. The second day is reserved for the elite men’s race, which will serve as the highlight, alongside another major mass participation event.
In a bid to maintain fairness and manage the logistics of the event, runners will only be allowed to participate on one of the two days. The results of the ballot are expected to be revealed in early July. This special two-day celebration has been confirmed as a singular occurrence, with the London Marathon planning to revert to its traditional single-day format in future editions.