London Marathon Announces First-Ever Two-Day Race for 2027, Expanding to 100,000 Runners

Updated: July 1, 2026

The London Marathon will take on its biggest transformation in more than four decades in 2027, with organizers confirming a special two-day edition that will allow up to 100,000 runners to take part. The expanded format has been introduced after unprecedented demand for places and is expected to create one of the largest marathon weekends ever staged.

The event, officially named the 2027 TCS London Marathon Double, will be held on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, 2027. Although participants will be split across two days, everyone will complete the familiar 26.2-mile route from Greenwich to Westminster, preserving the race that has become one of the world’s best-known marathons.

The announcement follows a record-breaking 1,338,544 ballot applications for 2027, comfortably exceeding the previous record set for the 2026 race. The figures underline how difficult it has become to secure a place through the public ballot.

Why the London Marathon Is Changing for 2027

Since its debut in 1981, the London Marathon has grown from an event with fewer than 8,000 accepted runners into one attracting tens of thousands of finishers every year. The popularity of the race has continued to accelerate, with applications rising far faster than available places.

Organizers say the two-day format is a practical response to that demand rather than the start of a permanent expansion. The 2027 edition has been described as a unique celebration designed to welcome significantly more participants while keeping the traditional course and race experience intact.

London Marathon Events chief executive Hugh Brasher said the change is intended as a one-time occasion, allowing more people to experience the event without permanently altering its annual format.

How Ballot Places Will Be Allocated

Everyone who entered the 2027 public ballot will automatically be considered for both race days.

The Sunday ballot will be completed first because it remains the traditional marathon day. Applicants who are not selected will then be included in a second draw for the Saturday event, giving every entrant two opportunities to secure an in-person place.

Successful runners will compete on only one day, although anyone wanting an additional challenge can complete the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay on the alternate day. Ballot results are expected to begin arriving in early July.

Race Weekend Will Keep the Traditional Marathon Experience

While participation will double, the race itself will remain familiar. Competitors will cover the same distance, pass the same landmarks and finish at Westminster just as previous editions have done.

Organizers expect the elite fields to be divided across the weekend. Current plans indicate the elite women’s races, female wheelchair competition, championship women and Good For Age women will compete on one day, while the equivalent men’s events will take place on the other.

For most participants, the biggest difference will simply be a less crowded field and a marathon weekend extending across two consecutive days.

A Bigger Event Could Mean Record Charity Support

The London Marathon is already recognised as the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event. Participants in the 2026 edition have raised more than £90 million for charities.

With around 100,000 runners expected across both race days, organizers estimate fundraising could exceed £150 million. Many UK charities depend on marathon entries each year to support medical research, community projects and essential public services, making the expanded event significant well beyond sport.

Economic forecasts also suggest the weekend could generate approximately £400 million in wider benefits through tourism, accommodation, hospitality, retail and transport across London.

Schools and Local Communities Will Benefit

The 2027 plans extend beyond the marathon itself. Every school in London will receive two guaranteed places for members of staff, while boroughs along the race route will receive additional entries to strengthen local participation.

The Mini London Marathon is scheduled for Friday, April 23, 2027, with more than 20,000 children and young people expected to take part.

Organizers have confirmed that additional income generated from the expanded weekend will be distributed through the London Marathon Foundation to support projects that encourage physical activity among children and young people throughout London and across the UK.

The growing popularity of mass participation events reflects a wider trend in international sport, where demand continues to outpace capacity. Similar pressures are expected during tournaments featuring the new nations making their FIFA World Cup debut, highlighting how organisers increasingly balance access with large-scale event planning.

Why the 2027 Edition Matters

Running a marathon across two days introduces new logistical challenges, including road management, policing, medical services, volunteer coordination and public transport. Local authorities and event partners will need to support a much larger operation while maintaining the race standards participants expect.

If successful, the 2027 edition will demonstrate how an established marathon can temporarily expand without changing its identity. It will give thousands more people the opportunity to take part, increase support for charitable causes and provide a model that other major sporting events may study in the future.

Official information on ballot results, race schedules and participant guidance is available through the TCS London Marathon website.

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