The London Marathon will be staged over two days for the first time in its history in 2027. Scheduled for April 24-25, this one-off format for the event's 47th edition will see elite women racing on Saturday and elite men racing on Sunday. All participants will follow the iconic route from Greenwich to Westminster.
The expansion will allow a record 100,000 participants to take part across the weekend. London Marathon chief executive Hugh Brasher stated that the move opens the door for more people, charities, and communities. The expanded format is expected to generate a 400 million pound boost to the UK economy and raise more than 150 million pounds for charity, following the 2026 race which raised a record 90 million pounds.
A record 1.33 million people entered the public ballot for the 2027 race, representing an 18 percent increase over the previous high. While the two-day format doubles the chances of success for those who applied, the odds of securing a place remain less than 10 percent. The ballot closed on May 1, and results will be announced in early July.