London Marathon Events is exploring a two-day format for the 2027 marathon, potentially on Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April, which could allow up to 100,000 amateur runners to participate, The Guardian reported. The elite men's and women's races would be staged on separate days, according to The Guardian, which also said the plan has the backing of Mayor Sadiq Khan. The 2025 marathon had 56,540 finishers and raised over £85 million for charity, and the 2027 event could raise £130 million, the Daily Express reported.
The proposed expansion aims to accommodate growing demand while maintaining the event's charitable impact. The 2026 marathon, scheduled for Sunday 26 April, received almost six hours of BBC One coverage hosted by Gabby Logan, according to reports. The course starts at Greenwich Park and Blackheath Park and finishes on The Mall, with road closures in place from 4am to 10pm on the day.
The largest number of applications came from women aged 20-29, and fewer than 20,000 people usually secure a place through the ballot. 99 if successful. Unsuccessful entrants are automatically entered into a second ballot, and those who fail in both will receive a free hydration vest worth over £100, according to reports.
Ballot results for the 2027 marathon will be announced in early July. The ballot is run by the tech platform Let's Do This, which has raised over $60 million in funding and expects to turn a profit for the first time in 2026, according to City AM. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, said that entering the 2027 ballot could be the first step towards becoming part of something truly life changing.
He added that the event is always exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part. The record-breaking demand underscores the marathon's enduring popularity, with the ballot system struggling to meet the overwhelming interest. Organisers hope that the potential two-day expansion will not only increase participation but also boost charitable fundraising significantly.
The 2026 event continues to draw global attention, with extensive media coverage and a scenic course through London's landmarks. As the marathon evolves, the focus remains on inclusivity and community impact, with initiatives like the reduced fee for charitable donors and consolation prizes for unsuccessful applicants. The Let's Do This platform's growth reflects the increasing reliance on technology to manage large-scale sporting events, and its expected profitability signals a maturing market for race registration services.