London Marathon Explores Two-Day Format for 2027

Organizers of the TCS London Marathon are exploring plans to stage the iconic race over two days in 2027, potentially allowing up to 100,000 runners to participate and boosting charity fundraising beyond previous records. The proposal, which has yet to receive formal approval, aims to address the event's soaring popularity amid a surge in applications that has left many aspiring participants disappointed.

The marathon, which starts in Greenwich and finishes on The Mall in central London, has long been the world's most oversubscribed long-distance race. For the 2026 edition scheduled for April 26, a record 1,133,813 people entered the public ballot, marking a 36 percent increase from the previous year and nearly doubling the applicant pool since 2024. Only a fraction of entrants secure spots, with last year's event seeing 56,640 finishers out of 57,449 starters, despite challenging hot weather conditions.

The 2025 marathon, held on April 27, raised a historic £87.3 million for charity, establishing it as the largest single-day fundraising event of its kind globally. Organizers attribute the event's growth to its appeal as a celebration of community and achievement, a mission...