The London Marathon is set to make a landmark change in 2027 by extending the event to two days, accommodating a record 100,000 runners over the weekend of April 24–25. This temporary alteration aims to address the overwhelming demand after more than 1.3 million entries were submitted through the public ballot. Despite the increased capacity, the likelihood of securing a spot remains under 10%.
This expanded format is anticipated to generate over £150 million for charity, potentially 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 schedule for the weekend will be split, with elite women’s races, elite female para-athletes, championship, and “Good for Age” women’s categories occurring on one day, alongside a mass participation run of nearly 50,000 people.
The second day will be highlighted by the elite men’s race and another mass participation event. Runners will be allowed to participate on only one of the designated days. The results of the participant ballot are slated to be announced in early July. While this two-day format is a one-time celebration, the London Marathon plans to revert to its traditional single-day format in subsequent years.