The London Marathon will stage a one-off two-day edition in 2027, giving 100,000 runners the chance to take part after a record 1.33 million ballot entries. The races will be held on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April, doubling participation and boosting charity fundraising.
Organisers expect more than £150m to be raised for good causes, alongside a £400m benefit to the UK economy. Mayor Sadiq Khan welcomed the expansion, calling London “the sporting capital of the world.”
The ballot will be drawn first for Sunday’s traditional race, then for Saturday’s. Elite women and female wheelchair athletes will headline one day, with elite men and male wheelchair athletes leading the other.
The Mini London Marathon will take place on Friday with 20,000 young runners, and all extra income will be distributed by the London Marathon Foundation to projects inspiring youth activity.
Brasher stressed the two-day format will be a one-off, designed to meet unprecedented demand.
