London Marathon organisers considering making major change to 2027 race

A two-day London Marathon that would raise more than £130 million for charity is being considered for 2027, meaning thousands more runners will be able to take part in the iconic race.

In total, a record 1.1 million people applied in the public ballot to participate in the 2026 edition of the London Marathon, which was a 36 per cent increase on the previous year.

Based on the total number of starters at last year's race, which was around the 57,000 mark, only around 5 per cent of the total number of applicants got the chance to complete the course this time around.

However, that could all change next year after organisers proposed a two-event that would allow around 100,000 people to take part.

Hugh Brasher, who is the CEO of London Marathon Events (LME), gave an insight into the "positively received" plans, confirming that one of the two days would be devoted to elite and faster women.

The other day would focus more on the men’s races, with mixed mass-participation races on both days.

A two-day event has been proposed by London Marathon organisers. Image credit: Getty

“The idea was also overwhelmingly positively received,” Brasher told The Guardian. “But you have to bear in mind that the London Marathon has been going for 45 years and it’s got to a position of love, not only the sporting calendar but the calendar of London.

“You can lose that love, and we have to be mindful of that. And that is why it is very much a one and done. But there is a need in this country to do it.”

The one-off event would be expected to raise more than £130 million for charity, as well as £400 million in social and economic benefits, according to research by Sheffield Hallam University.

No approval has yet been given but talks are at an advanced stage.

A London Marathon Events spokesperson said: “The London Marathon is the world’s most popular marathon, and we are continually exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part, while delivering positive benefits for London.

“Together with our partners and stakeholders, we are looking at the intention for the 2027 London Marathon to take place across two days."

At the 2026 London Marathon, Sabastian Sawe became the first person in history to run a sub two-hour marathon in a competitive race. Image credit: Getty

Earlier this year, a spokesperson for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "London is the sporting capital of the world and the Mayor looks forward to working with London Marathon and partners to consider if it might be possible to host an event that will run across two days next year."