The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, allowing an unprecedented 100,000 runners to take part over the weekend of April 24-25. This temporary expansion aims to accommodate the overwhelming interest demonstrated by more than 1.3 million entries in the public ballot. Despite this significant increase in participation, the odds of securing a spot will remain below 10% due to the immense demand.
Organizers anticipate that the expanded marathon will raise over £150 million for charity, marking it as the most significant fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the event is expected to generate approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits for the region. This historic shift underscores the marathon’s growing appeal and its substantial positive impact on the community.
The marathon’s schedule will be carefully organized to accommodate the expanded format. On one day, the events will include the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” women’s races, alongside a mass participation event featuring nearly 50,000 runners. The following day will spotlight the elite men’s race, accompanied by another large-scale mass participation event. This arrangement ensures that each race receives due attention and that the marathon maintains its high standards of competition and excitement.
Runners will be allowed to participate 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 plans to revert to the traditional single-day event in future editions. The 2027 London Marathon promises to be a landmark occasion, setting new records and reinforcing its status as a premier international sporting event.