London Marathon to expand to two-day record-setting event in 2027
As a one-off special event next year the London Marathon will take place over two days from April 24-25; "a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be," said Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events
Friday 19 June 2026 08:05, UK
The London Marathon for the first time will be held across two days next year.
In a one-off event the 2027 marathon will take place across both Saturday April 24 and Sunday April 25.
The elite women, elite female para-athletes, championship and 'good for age' women will lead the mass event one day while elite men, elite male para-athletes, championship and 'good for age' men will lead the mass event on the other, with details of the format to be confirmed over the coming months.
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This change means in 2027 the London Marathon will be the largest it's ever been, allowing for a record number of participants to enter, meeting the high demand for places with 1.33m people entering the ballot for next year's event.
"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 £150m can be raised for good causes and the UK economy will have a £400m social and economic benefit," Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, said.
"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."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "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.
"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."
