LONDON : The London Marathon will be staged over two days for the first time in its history in 2027, organisers said on Friday, as they seek to accommodate a record number of participants and further boost fundraising efforts.
The 47th edition of the race will take place on April 24-25, 2027, with the elite women’s race scheduled for Saturday and the elite men’s race on Sunday.
Organisers said the new format would allow up to 100,000 runners to take part across the weekend, significantly increasing participation in one of the world’s most popular marathons.
London Marathon CEO Hugh Brasher said the expansion would create opportunities for more runners, charities and communities to be involved in the event.
“By expanding participation to 100,000 runners over two days, we are opening the door for more individuals, charities and communities to take part,” Brasher said in a statement.
Organisers estimate the larger event could generate more than 150 million euros ($173 million) for charitable causes.
The 2026 London Marathon raised a record 90 million euros, reinforcing its reputation as the world’s largest single-day fundraising event.
Demand for places continues to grow, with organisers revealing that a record 1.33 million people entered the public ballot for the 2027 race, an increase of 18% over the previous record.
