The London Marathon is in advanced talks to stage a two-day event in 2027, allowing 100,000 amateur runners to take part in the iconic race. The proposal, referred to internally as the Double London Marathon, would see 50,000 runners complete the course on Saturday and another 50,000 on Sunday, 24-25 April next year. It is expected the elite men's and women's races would also be held on separate days, aiming to celebrate both top-level and grassroots sport.
Last year, a record 56,540 finishers raised £87.3 million for charity, making London the world's largest annual one-day fundraising event. Organisers hope the two-day format could boost that figure to over £130 million, while also delivering significant benefits to the capital's wellbeing and economy. The plan has been welcomed by runners who have struggled to secure places in the increasingly popular race—more than 1.1 million people entered the 2026 ballot, up from 410,000 three years ago.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the Guardian: “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.” The London Marathon declined to comment directly but provided a statement from chief executive Hugh Brasher, who said: “We are always exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part and to deliver positive benefits for London.”
The proposal has not yet received formal approval, but it is understood to have the backing of the mayor's office. Part of the plan is to use the two-day event as a show of unity and community amid growing social and economic division. The London Marathon is currently preparing for the 2026 event on 26 April, with organisers reiterating the original aim of the race: “to show happiness and sense of achievement in a somewhat troubled world.”
