The London Marathon is set to achieve a milestone in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, scheduled for the weekend of April 24–25. This change will accommodate an unprecedented number of 100,000 runners, making it a record-setting occasion. The decision to extend the marathon into two days stems from an overwhelming response, as more than 1.3 million individuals submitted entries in the public ballot. Despite this expansion, the likelihood of securing a spot remains under 10%, reflecting the event’s immense popularity.
This expanded format is expected to significantly boost charitable fundraising, with projections suggesting over £150 million could be raised, marking it as the largest fundraising event in the history of UK sporting activities. Furthermore, the marathon is anticipated to contribute approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits, underscoring its impact beyond the race itself.
In terms of scheduling, the weekend will be divided to feature different races on each day. The first day will spotlight the elite women’s races, elite female para-athletes, championship contests, and the “Good for Age” women’s races, alongside a mass participation event potentially involving close to 50,000 runners. The second day will be headlined by the elite men’s race and will also include another large-scale mass participation race.
Participants will be limited to running on only one of the two days, with the outcome of the ballot to be announced by early July. Though this two-day format presents an exciting opportunity for runners and spectators alike, it is confirmed as a unique celebration. Future editions of the London Marathon are expected to revert back to the traditional single-day format.