EMBARGOED UNTIL 06:00 (BST) FRIDAY 19 JUNE 2026
In a major and unprecedented move, London Marathon Events has officially announced that the TCS London Marathon will expand into a two-day event for 2027.
For one year only, the race will take place across Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April 2027, transforming what is already the most popular marathon in the world into something entirely new: a 100,000-runner, two-day global event.
Two Days. One Course. 100,000 Runners.
Both days will follow the same iconic route from Greenwich to Westminster, but the field will be split across the weekend. One day will feature the elite women, elite female para-athletes, and women’s championship and “good for age” fields leading the mass race. The other day will mirror that structure for the men.
Final details on which races fall on which day are still to come.
What’s clear already is the scale:
This will be the largest single marathon event ever staged, doubling down on London’s already unmatched demand. To put that into perspective, 1.33 million people entered the ballot for the 2026 race.
This format is designed to meet that demand — and then some.
A Record-Breaking Moment for Charity
The London Marathon has long been the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event. But in 2027, that ceiling is expected to be shattered.
With two days of racing, organizers believe the event could raise over £150 million for charity, making it the largest fundraising moment in UK sporting history.
Since its first edition in 1981, the London Marathon has already raised more than £1.4 billion, and this expansion is set to accelerate that impact even further.
More Access — But Still One Race Per Runner
If you’ve already entered the ballot for 2027, you don’t need to do anything differently. All applicants will automatically be considered for both days, with places allocated randomly.
There is one important rule:
Runners cannot participate in the in-person race on both days.
However, there is a twist — participants can run one day in person and complete the virtual race, London Marathon MyWay, on the other.
Ballot results are expected in early July.
A Full Week of Running
The marathon itself will be the centerpiece of an expanded race week in London, including:
- The TCS London Marathon Running Show (extended edition)
- Friday Night Lights 5K
- The TCS Mini London Marathon (taking place Friday 23 April, with over 20,000 young runners expected)
This isn’t just a race anymore — it’s a full-scale running festival.
A Focus on Community and the Next Generation
One of the more interesting elements of this announcement is how much emphasis is being placed on accessibility and community involvement.
- Every school in London will receive two guaranteed entries for staff
- Every borough along the course will receive additional guaranteed entries
- Extra funding generated by the event will be distributed through the London Marathon Foundation to support youth activity programs across the UK
This is clearly about more than just adding numbers — it’s about widening participation.
A One-Time Experiment
Importantly, this is a one-off format.
The 2027 edition is being positioned as a “once-in-a-generation” reimagining of what a marathon can look like — not a permanent change to the race.
That makes it even more significant.
What This Means for the Sport
From a global running perspective, this is one of the boldest moves we’ve seen in marathon racing.
London is already considered one of the premier races in the world. Expanding it to two days doesn’t just increase participation — it fundamentally changes the scale of what a marathon event can be.
If successful, it raises some interesting questions:
- Could other majors follow?
- Is this the future of mass participation racing?
- Or is this something uniquely suited to London?
Either way, for 2027, all eyes will be on London.
And if you’ve ever wanted to be part of it — this might be your best chance yet.
