London Marathon to Be Held as Two-Day Event in 2027

The London Marathon will be held across two days in a special one-off edition in 2027, on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April. Organisers confirmed that this will allow 100,000 people to take part, effectively doubling the chances for those who entered the ballot.

According to Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events (LME), the expansion is expected to raise more than £150m for charities and provide a £400m boost to the UK economy. Everyone who applied for next year's event will be entered into the ballot for both days, with results announced in early July.

Brasher described the 2027 London Marathon Double as "our most ambitious evolution to date - a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining". He noted the idea was first conceived in 2017 but permission was not granted for a planned 2020 edition. He stressed that the two-day format is a one-off.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: "London is the sporting capital of the world and I am delighted that, for one year only in 2027, the world famous London Marathon will expand into a two-day event."

All 100,000 participants across the two days will run the normal route from Greenwich to Westminster. Organisers plan to have elite women, elite female para-athletes, championship and 'good for age' women lead the mass event on one day, with elite men, elite male para-athletes, championship and 'good for age' men on the other. The Mini London Marathon will be held on Friday, with more than 20,000 young participants.

Additional income generated by the two-day format will be distributed by the London Marathon Foundation to projects inspiring activity for children and young people across London and the UK.