In a groundbreaking move, the London Marathon is set to expand into a two-day event in 2027, opening up the opportunity for 100,000 runners to participate over the weekend of April 24-25. This temporary change aims to accommodate the overwhelming interest, as more than 1.3 million hopeful participants entered the public ballot. Despite the expansion, the likelihood of securing a spot remains lower than 10%, maintaining the event’s competitive entry nature.
Organizers anticipate that the enlarged event will not only make history as the largest fundraising occasion in UK sports but also contribute significantly to charitable causes, with expectations of raising over £150 million. Additionally, the marathon is predicted to have a considerable impact on the economy, generating around £400 million in social and economic benefits.
The schedule for this special two-day format will see a division between races, with the elite women’s, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” categories running on one day, alongside a mass participation race featuring nearly 50,000 runners. The following day will spotlight the elite men’s race, accompanied by another large-scale mass participation event.
Participants will be allowed to compete on only one of the two days, with the results of the ballot expected to be revealed in early July. While this expansion represents a unique celebration, the London Marathon is anticipated to revert to its traditional single-day format in subsequent years.