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Published Jun 18, 2026Updated Jun 231
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London Marathon to Hold Historic Two-Day Event in 2027 with Over 100,000 Participants
The London Marathon will hold a historic one-off two-day event on 24–25 April 2027, featuring over 100,000 participants and split men's and women's races. The unprecedented format responds to record-breaking demand, with 1.33 million applications for the 2026 race, and aims to generate the largest fundraising moment in UK sport while supporting youth activity initiatives.
Quick Facts
- London Marathon to hold two-day event in 2027
- Men's and women's races split across weekend
- Elite women and wheelchair racers compete on one day
- Men's fields race on alternate day
- Mass participation events on both days
The London Marathon will make history in 2027 by hosting a one-off two-day event on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April, organisers London Marathon Events (LME) have confirmed. The unprecedented format will see over 100,000 participants complete the full 26.2-mile distance across the weekend, with the men's and women's races split between the two days. Elite women, wheelchair racers, and qualifying club runners will compete on one day, while the men's fields will race on the other, with mass participation events held on both days. Each participant will be permitted to compete only once over the weekend, with ballot results to be announced in July.
LME CEO Hugh Brasher described the event as "our most ambitious evolution to date" and a "once-in-a-generation reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be." The two-day format represents a direct response to extraordinary and sustained demand to participate in the race. Ballot applications have reached record levels, with 1.33 million entries for the 2026 race—a 36 per cent increase on 2025 and nearly double the 578,304 applicants for the 2024 ballot. The organisers expect this expanded event to generate "the largest fundraising moment in UK sport," building on this year's competitors raising over £90 million.
To deliver the event, LME secured permissions from local councils, emergency services, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan. The two-day marathon will pass through five London boroughs: Greenwich, Lewisham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, and Westminster. The expansion reflects the marathon's status as one of seven World Marathon Majors, alongside Tokyo, Boston, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York, and its significant role in professional athletics.
The 2027 event will have a major focus on supporting the next generation. All London schools will receive two guaranteed entries for teachers or staff, with additional places allocated to the five boroughs the route traverses. All additional income generated will be distributed by the London Marathon Foundation to projects inspiring activity for children and young people across London and the UK.
The London Marathon, first staged in 1981, has become renowned for exceptional athletic performances. This year's edition featured Sebastian Sawe becoming the first athlete to run sub-two hours in record-legal conditions with 1:59:30, while runner-up Yomif Kejelcha also broke the two-hour barrier at 1:59:41. In the women's race, all three podium finishers broke 2:16, with Tigst Assefa winning and lowering the women's-only world record by nine seconds. Five of the fastest men's marathons ever have been run at London, and since 2004 the course has held the women's world record.
Why This Matters
This unprecedented format expansion directly addresses explosive participation demand (1.33 million applications for 2026) and establishes a new model for major sporting events. For participants, it opens access to one of the world's most prestigious marathons; for fundraisers, it promises record charitable impact exceeding £90 million annually. The structural change—splitting elite and mass participation across two days—sets a precedent for how World Marathon Majors can scale without compromising course integrity or race experience. For London's five host boroughs and UK youth initiatives, guaranteed school entries and directed Foundation funding create lasting community investment.
Timeline & Sources
Jan 1, 1981
WireFirst London Marathon held
Jan 1, 2004
WireLondon Marathon begins holding women's world record
Apr 24, 2027
WireLondon Marathon 2027 begins (Day 1)
Apr 25, 2027
WireLondon Marathon 2027 concludes (Day 2)