Rock-paper-scissors decides London Marathon race schedule
London Marathon organisers used a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide which day will host the men's and women's elite races at next year's two-day event. The decision comes as the marathon prepares for its historic first split-day edition.
The schedule for next year's elite London Marathon races was settled in an unusual way — through a game of rock, paper, scissors. Men's world record holder Sabastian Sawe lost the contest to women's wheelchair world record holder Catherine Debrunner. Both athletes were crowned London Marathon champions in their respective events this year.
As a result of the game, the elite men's race and men's wheelchair race will take place on Saturday, 24 April, while the women's events will remain on the traditional Sunday. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said the rock-paper-scissors contest was an entertaining way to decide which day would host each elite race, adding that splitting the races would allow greater focus on the athletes involved.
A two-day format
Earlier this year, organisers confirmed the London Marathon would span two days for a one-off, landmark edition of the event. The move was made to allow more participants to take part, following a record 1.33 million entries into the ballot for next year's race.
In 2027, a record 100,000 participants are expected to take part, with organisers estimating that more than £150m will be raised for charitable causes.
For the first time in the event's history, the women's championship categories will start directly behind the women's elite field. Brasher added that the women's elite wheelchair race would begin just ahead of the women's field, creating what he described as a true celebration of women's marathon racing. Both days will feature a main mixed field of male, female and non-binary participants.
