The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, accommodating an unprecedented 100,000 runners over the weekend of April 24-25. This temporary change comes in response to overwhelming demand, with over 1.3 million people entering the public ballot. Despite the increase in participation, the odds of securing a spot remain under 10%.
This expanded format is expected to generate substantial charitable contributions, with organizers anticipating over £150 million to be raised, marking it as the largest fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is projected to bring in approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits, further underscoring its significance.
The weekend’s schedule is carefully planned, with the first day dedicated to the elite women’s race, elite female para-athletes, the championship, and the “Good for Age” women’s races, all running alongside a large-scale mass participation event featuring nearly 50,000 runners. The second day will spotlight the elite men’s race, complemented by another mass participation race of similar size.
Participants are allowed to compete only on one of the two days, maintaining the exclusivity and challenge of the event. Results of the ballot are expected to be announced in early July, giving hopeful runners ample time to prepare. This special two-day affair is confirmed as a one-time celebration, with plans to revert to the traditional single-day marathon format in subsequent years.