The London Marathon will be held across two days for the first time in 2027, in a special one-off format designed to accommodate a record number of participants and boost fundraising for charitable causes.
Organisers announced that the iconic race will take place on Saturday, April 24, and Sunday, April 25, 2027, allowing a total of 100,000 runners to participate, effectively doubling the number of places traditionally available.
The decision follows unprecedented demand for the event, with a record 1.33 million people entering the ballot for the 2026 edition. Organisers had earlier indicated they were exploring ways to provide more opportunities for aspiring runners.
Under the new arrangement, everyone who entered the ballot for the 2026 race will automatically be considered for both days of the expanded 2027 event, with results due to be announced in early July.
According to London Marathon Events (LME), the two-day format is expected to generate more than £150 million for charitable organisations while delivering an estimated £400 million in social and economic benefits to the United Kingdom.
Chief Executive of London Marathon Events, Hugh Brasher, described the initiative as the most ambitious transformation in the event’s history.
“The 2027 London Marathon Double is our most ambitious evolution to date, a once-in-a-generation, one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be,” Brasher said.
“By expanding to 100,000 runners across two days, we’re opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world’s greatest marathon. We believe that more than £150 million can be raised for good causes and the UK economy will benefit from a £400 million social and economic impact.”
The temporary expansion is expected to provide thousands more runners with the opportunity to experience the event while increasing its contribution to charities and the wider economy.
