London Marathon 2027 Breaks Record With Over 1.3 Million Ballot Applications

Posted : 05 May 2026

A record number of runners have entered the public ballot for the 2027 London Marathon, with organisers confirming that 1,338,544 applications were received for the event scheduled for 25 April. The figure surpasses last year’s previous record of 1,133,813 entries, highlighting the growing global demand for participation.

The 2026 edition of the marathon already set a benchmark as the largest annual one-day fundraising event in the world, with nearly 60,000 finishers crossing the line. Organisers say the latest application surge further cements the race’s status as the most popular marathon on the planet.

London Marathon chief executive Hugh Brasher described the numbers as “astonishing,” stating that the event continues to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active. He added that no other marathon comes close in terms of global appeal and participation interest.

For the first time, more than one million applications came from within the United Kingdom alone, with organisers also noting a near-even split between male and female applicants. Ballot results are expected to be announced in early July, with entries allocated through a random draw system.

The race comes after a landmark 2026 event that saw record-breaking performances, including a sub-two-hour run in a competitive race by Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe and a new women’s world record set by Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa, further elevating the marathon’s global profile.

Organisers are also exploring a potential expansion of the 2027 event into a two-day format. Under the proposed plan, elite men’s and women’s races, alongside wheelchair events and mass participation runs, would be split across Saturday and Sunday to accommodate growing demand.

Brasher said discussions with stakeholders are ongoing and a decision is expected soon, possibly by the end of May. He acknowledged that the change would require careful planning and would be a one-off trial, but estimated it could generate significant economic and charitable benefits.

He added that the proposed expansion could deliver over £400 million in social and economic impact, along with more than £150 million raised for charity, reinforcing the marathon’s importance beyond sport.

London Marathon 2027 Breaks Record With Over 1.3 Million Ballot Applications

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