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London Marathon 2027 Set for April 25 After 1.3 M Applications

5/5/2026

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Summary

UK Hosts Marathon

The United Kingdom will host the 2027 London Marathon on 25 April after 1,338,544 ballot applications.
Ballot results will be released in early July, with spots assigned by random draw.
The 2026 race recorded a record 59,830 finishers and featured Kenyan Sabastian Sawe’s sub-two-hour marathon in 1:59:30.
Organisers may hold the 2027 race over two days, a decision due by end-May that could bring over £400 million and £150 million for charities.

Summary

Applicants Flood Marathon

More than one million UK adults – 1.8% of the population – applied for the 2027 London Marathon.
Applicants were 49.92% male, 49.50% female and 0.58% (5,822) non-binary.
Women aged 20-29 submitted the most entries, representing most of the 35% of UK applicants who were 18-29.
The ballot received 330,450 overseas applications from more than 200 countries, including 92,000 from the United States.
The Let’s Do This platform manages the ballot process.

History

Historical Context

In 1981 Chris Brasher and John Disley launched the London Marathon on 29 March, with 7,741 entrants and 6,255 finishers. The race became a World Marathon Majors event, adding wheelchair races in 1983 and spurring city-wide participation. A 2027 proposal to split men’s and women’s races across two days reflects its continued expansion.

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UK Hosts Marathon

The United Kingdom will host the 2027 London Marathon on 25 April after 1,338,544 ballot applications.
Ballot results will be released in early July, with spots assigned by random draw.
The 2026 race recorded a record 59,830 finishers and featured Kenyan Sabastian Sawe’s sub-two-hour marathon in 1:59:30.
Organisers may hold the 2027 race over two days, a decision due by end-May that could bring over £400 million and £150 million for charities.

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