The countdown to the most epic edition yet of the London Marathon has begun! In 2027, the iconic event will burst through the barriers and become a TWO-DAY extravaganza, welcoming an unprecedented 100,000 runners to the starting line. The brainchild of Hugh Brasher's team is dubbed "the Double", with Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027 marking the first-ever dual-day marathon.
Brasher himself called it "our most ambitious evolution to date – a once-in-a-generation one-time-only reimagining" that promises to shatter fundraising records. The organisation believes this bold new format will unleash a tidal wave of £150 million for good causes, not to mention an estimated £400 million boost for the UK economy.
After months of negotiations with stakeholders, including Transport for London, the deal has been sealed – and it's a game-changer! The prospect of creating history's largest marathon and achieving unprecedented fundraising feats won over even the most skeptical voices. With the Mayor's office on board, the wheels are in motion for an unforgettable event.
Under "the Double", Saturday will be all about speed with the elite women, championship runners, and mixed mass participation events taking centre stage – close to 50,000 participants expected! Sunday, meanwhile, will see the world's best men toe the line alongside a second massive participation event. But here's the thing: while more places are available than ever before, you can only run in one of the two events.
The news is music to the ears of the 1.3 million applicants who've been waiting patiently through the ballot system – although, alas, securing a spot will still be the ultimate challenge (only 10% chance of getting in!). The ballots for the 2027 extravaganza are set to drop on July 4th, and trust us, it's going to be a wild ride!
The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, hailed this innovative move as "the largest fundraising moment in UK sporting history", and who can argue with that? As the London Marathon sets its sights on an unprecedented feat, it's clear that this event has truly earned its place among the world's top sporting and fundraising spectacles. Will it inspire a new template for future large-scale urban events? We can't wait to find out!