The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 by expanding to a two-day event, a change that will accommodate a record-breaking 100,000 runners over the weekend of April 24-25. This adjustment addresses the overwhelming demand from aspiring participants, with over 1.3 million people having entered the public ballot. Despite the increased capacity, the odds of securing a spot remain under 10% due to the high volume of interest.
This expansion is poised to generate significant benefits, with organizers predicting more than £150 million will be raised for charity, marking it as the largest fundraising event in UK sporting history. Additionally, the marathon is expected to contribute approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits. The decision to expand for this particular year aims to celebrate the event’s legacy while accommodating more participants than ever before.
The marathon’s schedule will be divided across two days, with the first day featuring the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” women’s races, alongside a mass participation event involving nearly 50,000 runners. The second day will highlight the elite men’s race and include another substantial mass participation event. Each participant will be allowed to compete on only one day, ensuring a smooth execution of the event across both days.
Ballot results, which will determine who gets to run, are expected to be released in early July. This special two-day format is confirmed as a one-time celebration, with plans to revert to the traditional single-day format in future marathons. The unique expansion reflects the marathon’s growing popularity and its impact, both charitable and economic, within the UK and beyond.
