Record-Breaking 1.3 Million People Enter Ballot for 2027 London Marathon
The London Marathon has cemented its status as a global phenomenon, with a staggering 1,338,544 people applying for the 2027 race. This total shatters the previous record of roughly 1.1 million set just last year, marking the first time UK applications alone have surpassed the one-million mark.
Event organizers have reported a nearly equal split between male and female registrations. With the race scheduled for April 25th, 2027, hopeful participants now face an anxious wait until early July, when the random ballot results will be announced.
Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, hailed the milestone, stating: "This astonishing total of applicants firmly establishes London as the world's most sought-after marathon. Nothing else comes close. Our mission is to inspire people of every age and ability to get active - and these extraordinary numbers show the massive draw and power of the London Marathon."
The surge in interest follows a historic weekend in the capital that saw the record books rewritten. Kenyan Sabastian Sawe made headlines globally by becoming the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon in a competitive race, clocking in at 1:59:30. Following his feat, Sawe told BBC TV, "I am feeling good. I am so happy. It is a day to remember for me."
The records didn't stop there. Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa successfully defended her title while lowering her own women’s world record to 2:15:41. In total, nearly 60,000 runners finished the 2026 event, maintaining its title as the planet's largest one-day fundraising effort.
To manage this unprecedented demand, organizers are seriously considering a one-off move to host the 2027 event over an entire weekend. The proposal would see elite women, wheelchair athletes, and certain time-qualified runners compete on Saturday, with the elite men and the bulk of the mass participation races spread across both days.
Brasher indicated that while discussions with stakeholders are ongoing, he hopes for a final decision by the end of May. He highlighted the potential impact, saying: "More than £400m of economic and social benefit would happen as a result of the two days, and we believe more than £150m would be raised for charities. It would be a one-off. We hope to get there - we're not there yet. I'm positive it's the right thing to do."
