In a historic shift, the London Marathon is set to expand into a two-day event in 2027, allowing an unprecedented 100,000 runners to participate over the weekend of April 24-25. This temporary format change aims to accommodate the overwhelming interest from over 1.3 million individuals who entered the public ballot. Despite this expansion, the odds of securing a spot in the marathon remain under 10%.
The expanded event is anticipated to generate more than £150 million for charity, poised to become the most significant fundraising event in UK sports history. Additionally, it is expected to contribute approximately £400 million in social and economic benefits. This substantial increase in participation not only underscores the marathon’s popularity but also its potential for positive impact beyond the race itself.
The marathon’s two-day schedule 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 of nearly 50,000 runners on the first day. The following day will see the elite men’s race as the main event, accompanied by another large-scale mass participation event. This division allows participants to experience the marathon on separate days, ensuring that each race receives spotlight attention.
Runners will be limited to participating on only one of the two days, with the results of the ballot expected to be revealed in early July. Organizers have emphasized that this two-day marathon is a one-time celebration, with plans to revert to the traditional single-day format in future editions. This unique occasion promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the spirit of the marathon and its significant charitable contributions.
