The London Marathon is set to break new ground in 2027 by transforming into a two-day event, a first in its history. Scheduled for the weekend of April 24–25, this expansion aims to accommodate an unprecedented 100,000 runners. This change arises from overwhelming interest, as evidenced by more than 1.3 million individuals applying through the public ballot. Despite increasing the number of participants, the odds of securing a spot will remain under 10%.
Organizers anticipate that this expanded format will generate over £150 million for charity, marking it as the largest fundraising event in the history of UK sports. Additionally, the marathon is expected to bring about £400 million in social and economic benefits. The weekend’s schedule is designed to host various categories of races across the two days, maximizing participation and engagement.
On the first day, the spotlight will be on the elite women’s races, the elite female para-athletes, and the “Good for Age” category for women. This day will also feature a mass participation event, accommodating nearly 50,000 runners. The second day will be highlighted by the elite men’s race, alongside another significant mass participation event, ensuring both days are filled with competitive spirit and community involvement.
To maintain fairness and organization, participants will be allowed to run on only one of the two days. The results of the ballot are expected to be published in early July, giving runners time to prepare for this unique opportunity. Although this two-day format is confirmed as a one-time celebration, the London Marathon plans to revert to its traditional single-day schedule in subsequent years, preserving its longstanding tradition.