Next year’s London Marathon is set to take place over two days and welcome almost double the number of usual runners, it has been confirmed.
A record-breaking 100,000 people will have the chance to take part in 2027 over the weekend of April 24 and 25.
This year saw 59,830 people finish the London Marathon, out of 60,512 participants.
“London is the sporting capital of the world and I am delighted that, for one year only in 2027, the world famous TCS London Marathon will expand into a two-day event,” London mayor Sadiq Khan said.
“This unique, one-off double will allow a record 100,000 participants to take part across the two days – creating the largest fundraising moment in UK sporting history and supporting the work of so many incredible charities.
“The London Marathon showcases the very best of our capital and we will continue working closely with London Marathon Events and our partners to ensure appropriate measures are in place for the entire weekend as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
London Marathon organisers were reported to be exploring the possibility of staging the event across two days earlier this year.
A record 1.33 million people have already applied for the 2027 edition of the race – a 36% year-on-year increase – and the ballots will be chosen in July.
Elite women, elite female para-athletes, championship and ‘good for age’ women will compete on one day, and their male equivalents on the other, but the exact details are yet to be confirmed.
Organisers have set aside two guaranteed entries for teachers and staff at every school in the capital, and entries have also been allocated to every London borough along the route.
The 2026 London Marathon was the site of multiple milestones, including Sabastian Sawe’s world-record breaking one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds time.
Both Sawe, from Kenya, and Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia broke the two-hour barrier for the first time in history.
More than £90m was raised for charity by participants, a figure organisers hope will be much higher as a result of expanded capacity across two days.
London Marathon CEO Hugh Brasher estimates that more than £150m can be raised and said the UK will benefit from £400m in social and economic benefit.
“The 2027 TCS 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.
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