The London Marathon is set to create history in 2027 by expanding into a two-day event, accommodating a record 100,000 participants over the weekend of April 24–25. This change, unprecedented in the marathon’s history, comes in response to an overwhelming demand, with more than 1.3 million individuals having entered the public ballot. Despite the expanded format, the likelihood of securing a spot remains below 10%.
The event’s organisers anticipate that this enlarged marathon will generate over £150 million for charity, potentially making it the most significant fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is expected to contribute approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits, marking a substantial impact on the community and the economy.
The schedule for the weekend is structured to maximize participation while maintaining the event’s competitive edge. One day will feature the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, the championship, and “Good for Age” women’s races, alongside a mass participation event involving nearly 50,000 runners. The second day will spotlight the elite men’s race, complemented by another large-scale mass participation event.
Participants will have the opportunity to run on only one of the two days, with the results of the ballot expected to be announced in early July. This special two-day format is confirmed as a one-time celebration, with the London Marathon expected to revert to its traditional single-day format in subsequent years.