Organizers of the London Marathon are in talks to expand the race to a two-day event in 2027 that would draw a record 100,000 participants, according to published reports on Wednesday.
The Double London Marathon, as it is being referred to internally, would be on April 24 and 25 next year and a one-time move to raise millions for charity with the men’s and women’s elite races on separate days, according on a report in The Guardian.
Last year’s race drew a record 56,540 finishers, which was topped by the New York City marathon in November at 59,226, with the possible two-day event allowing many hopefuls access to race after numerous past failed attempts through the general ballot.
Interest in the London Marathon continues to soar, with more than 1 million people registering for this year’s race lottery, which takes place on April 26. However, just under two percent are typically accepted, making London one of the most notoriously difficult races to access.
Over 870,000 people within the UK applied and 264,000 represented the international ballot.
London Marathon Events, the organizer of the race, did not directly comment on the report about possible expansion for 2027, but the organization’s chief executive, Hugh Brasher, released a statement acknowledging that the group wants to find ways to boost to presence of the event.
“The TCS London Marathon is the world’s most popular marathon, and we are always exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part and to deliver positive benefits for London,” Brasher said. “This work is carried out in close collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, whose support is essential in staging this incredible event in the heart of the capital each year.”
But with this year’s race just a month away, the focus shifts to fielding more than 56,000 participants and an elite group that will see Sabastian Sawe try to defend his men’s title against a loaded group that includes Jacob Kiplimo, Deresa Geleta, Amos Kipruto, Tamirat Tola, Amanal Petros, Geoffrey Kamworor, Joshua Cheptegei and Yomif Kejelcha.
Meanwhile, Tigst Assefa also returns with her sights on retaining her 2025 crown with Peres Jepchirchir, Joyciline Jepkosgei and Hellen Obiri all looking for the top podium spot. Sifan Hassan was also part of the stacked women’s field but announced last week that an Achilles injury she suffered in training has not healed in time for the race.
“We are currently four weeks away from the 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, and we are looking forward to amplifying one of the original aims of the London Marathon, which was ‘to show happiness and sense of achievement in a somewhat troubled world’,” Brasher said in his statement. “Poignantly, those words resonate even more now than they did almost 45 years ago to the day, when the first London Marathon took place.”
