London Marathon 2027: Two Days, 100,000 Runners

The 2027 TCS London Marathon will run over two days for the first time, on Saturday April 24 and Sunday April 25, 2027. Organisers are calling it the Double, a one-year-only format that puts 100,000 participants on the same Greenwich to Westminster course across a single weekend.

That is close to double the field of a normal edition, and London says it is a "once-in-a-generation" reimagining rather than a permanent change. The London Marathon race page tracks the ballot and entry routes as they update.

Why is London going to two days?

Demand. A record 1.33 million people applied for the 2027 ballot, up 36% year on year. It is the largest number of applications any marathon has ever received, and the two-day format is how organisers are absorbing some of that pressure without changing the course.

Even at 100,000 places, the odds stay long. More than 1.3 million applicants chasing a fixed field means most people will not get a ballot place. The ballot simulator shows how those numbers translate into your own chances over multiple years.

Can you run both days?

No, not in person. Each participant runs one day only. Those who want the full experience can complete the other day virtually through TCS London Marathon MyWay.

The two days are split by field. Elite women, female para-athletes, championship and 'good for age' women lead the mass race on one day. Elite men, male para-athletes, championship and 'good for age' men lead the other. Both days use the identical Greenwich to Westminster route.

What else happens that weekend?

The TCS Mini London Marathon runs on Friday April 23, with more than 20,000 young participants. An extended London Marathon Running Show fills the week, alongside a Friday Night Lights 5K.

Organisers project more than £150 million raised for charity and a £400 million social and economic benefit for the UK from the expanded event.

When do 2027 ballot results come out?

Ballot results are announced in early July 2026, through a completely random draw. If you applied, watch your email and the account you entered through.

Missing a result email is the classic way to lose a place. Free alerts for the London ballot open and close windows are the reason this site exists, so you never have to refresh a page hoping for news.

Sources: London Marathon Events