London Marathon to become two-day event in 2027, allowing record 100,000 runners to take part

The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 as organisers have officially announced plans to transform the iconic race into a special

The London Marathon is set to make history in 2027 as organisers have officially announced plans to transform the iconic race into a special two-day event, allowing a record- breaking100,000 runners to participate.

The historic expansion will take place over the weekend of April 24 and 25, 2027, marking the most significant change in the marathon’s history. The decision comes after an unprecedented demand for places, with more than 1.33 million people applying through the ballot system to secure a spot in the race.

Chief Executive Hugh Brasher, the one-time expansion is expected to provide major benefits beyond the sporting world. The event is projected to raise millions of pounds for charitable causes while also contributing an estimated £400 million to the UK economy.

Brasher described the two-day marathon as the most ambitious development the event has ever undertaken. He said the 2027 edition would represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the traditional marathon experience and turn it into an even greater city-wide celebration of fitness, participation, and community spirit.

The overwhelming popularity of the London Marathon played a key role in the decision to increase capacity. A total of 1,338,544 applications were received for the 2027 event, surpassing the previous record of 1,133,813 applicants for the 2026 race, highlighting the growing global interest in one of the world’s most prestigious marathons.

All individuals who entered the ballot for the 2027 event will automatically be considered for places on either Saturday or Sunday, with the results expected to be announced in early July. The organisers have assured participants that both race days will offer the same world-renowned London Marathon experience.

Runners across both days will follow the traditional route, beginning in Greenwich and finishing in Westminster, passing many of London’s most famous landmarks along the way. The expanded format aims to maintain the unique atmosphere and excitement that has made the marathon a globally recognised sporting event.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the announcement, describing the city as the sporting capital of the world. He expressed his excitement that, for one year only, the internationally celebrated London Marathon would expand into a two-day spectacle, giving thousands more people the opportunity to take part in the memorable occasion.

The London Marathon has long been recognised not only as a major athletic competition but also as a powerful force for charitable fundraising. The 2026 edition set a new milestone with 59,830 runners crossing the finish line, making it the largest annual one-day fundraising event in the world by raising more than £90 million for charity.

With the 2027 edition set to welcome 100,000 participants, organisers believe the event will break new records in participation, fundraising, and economic impact. The temporary two-day format is expected to create a unique chapter in the marathon’s history and further strengthen London’s reputation as a global hub for major sporting events.

As anticipation builds, runners from around the world will now await the ballot results, hoping to secure a place in what promises to be the biggest and most memorable London Marathon ever held.