There's no date in the event calendar quite like the TCS London Marathon.
From the moment you stand on the start line alongside tens of thousands of runners from around the world, to the unforgettable finish on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace, the TCS London Marathon is more than just a race, it's one of the greatest sporting events on the planet.
For 2027, the event is making history once again.
For the first time ever, the London Marathon will become a world-first two-day marathon event, allowing a record 100,000 runners to take part across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. Designed to meet unprecedented demand while raising even more for charity, this purported one-off format promises to make the 2027 edition the biggest and most impactful London Marathon ever held.
Whether you're running your first marathon, were lucky in the often heartbreaking ballot process or taking on the challenge for a cause close to your heart, here's everything you need to know about the TCS London Marathon 2027.
London Marathon 2027 at a glance
- Distance: Marathon, 26.2 miles (42.195km)
- Location: London, England
- Dates: Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 April 2027
- Start: Greenwich & Blackheath
- Finish: The Mall, outside Buckingham Palace
- Terrain: Road
- Course profile: Flat and fast
- Part of: Abbott World Marathon Majors and European Marathon Classics.
A world-first: The London Marathon goes to two-days
The 2027 London Marathon will be unlike any before it.
For one year only, London Marathon Events is expanding the race across two days. Giving up to 100,000 runners the chance to take part across the weekend. That's around 40,000 more runners than recent editions, making the 2027 race the biggest London Marathon ever held.
The move comes after extraordinary demand for places, with well over one million people entering the public ballot, and is expected to generate more than £150 million for charities, alongside significant economic benefits for London and the UK.
While runners will take on the same iconic course, they'll be allocated either the Saturday or Sunday event, ensuring the unique London Marathon atmosphere remains while opening the door for thousands more runners to experience race day.
The London Marathon course
The London Marathon is famous for its fast, flat course, but it's equally renowned for the incredible journey through one of the world's greatest cities and its most iconic landmarks.
The race begins in Greenwich and Blackheath, where runners gather across three start areas before merging after the opening miles.
Almost immediately you'll pass one of London's most iconic maritime landmarks, the magnificent Cutty Sark, where crowds pack every space to create one of the loudest sections of the entire course.
The route continues alongside the River Thames before taking you across the spectacular Tower Bridge at around Mile 12 - a moment many runners describe as one of the highlights of their marathon journey.
From there you'll weave through the modern corporate skyline of Canary Wharf, where towering glass buildings create a dramatic contrast to London's historic streets.
The final miles follow the Embankment before turning towards Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and finally Buckingham Palace, where you'll make the famous right turn onto The Mall.
There’s not many finish lines in world sport that compare to crossing beneath the Union Flags with Buckingham Palace ahead of you.
Course highlights
Cutty Sark
One of the world's last surviving tea clippers, the Cutty Sark provides one of the most photographed moments of the marathon.
Tower Bridge
Arguably the most iconic point on the course. Crossing Tower Bridge surrounded by thousands of cheering spectators is a bucket-list experience for runners around the globe.
Canary Wharf
The financial heart of London offers a completely different atmosphere, with dramatic skyscrapers lining the route before runners head back towards central London.
Embankment
With just a few miles remaining, the Thames provides a spectacular backdrop as supporters line both sides of the road. Previous runners will often tell you this is the stretch where you need to dig deep.
Buckingham Palace & The Mall
The final stretch is unforgettable. Running towards Buckingham Palace before finishing on The Mall is one of the most iconic marathon finishes anywhere in the world.
Is the London Marathon a fast course?
Yes, the London Marathon is widely regarded as one of the fastest marathon courses in the world.
With little elevation and long, wide roads, it's produced countless personal bests, world records and historic performances. The course is designed for speed, making it popular with both elite athletes and first-time marathon runners alike.
A race that makes history
The London Marathon has always been synonymous with world-class performances, and recent years have only strengthened its legendary status.
The 2026 event became the first marathon in history to see athletes break the two-hour barrier in official race conditions, while also setting a Guinness World Record for the largest marathon ever, with nearly 60,000 finishers. The move to a two-day event in 2027 builds on that momentum, creating yet another landmark chapter in marathon history.
Spectator support
If there's one thing the London Marathon is famous for (besides its landmarks) it's the crowds. Around 800,000 spectators line the streets each year, creating an atmosphere unlike almost any other marathon.
From brass bands and DJs to community groups, loads of charity cheer points and thousands of homemade signs, the support doesn’t fade throughout the entire 26.2 miles.
Whether you're running your first marathon or your fiftieth, those crowds will carry you when your legs really start to feel those miles.
Top tips for running London Marathon
Pace yourself early
It's easy to get swept up in the excitement of the opening miles, plus the course is a steady downhill in the first 6km. Stick to your race plan and let the atmosphere work in your favour, not against you.
Enjoy the landmarks
It's one of the few marathons where you'll run past world-famous landmarks almost every few miles. Don't forget to take it all in!
Prepare for unpredictable weather
Late April in London can bring cool temperatures, sunshine, wind or rain - sometimes all on the same day! The last two years have been warmer than expected, so it’s worth thinking about how you’ll stay hydrated on race day before it arrives.
Fuel consistently
With so much excitement around the course, it's surprisingly easy to forget your nutrition plan. Stick to the strategy you've practised in training and you'll give yourself the best chance of feeling strong from start to finish.
Why run the London Marathon for charity?
The London Marathon is without a doubt the world's biggest annual one-day fundraising event, and in 2027 it's expected to raise even more as it spans across two days.
Running for charity gives every mile extra meaning, while helping incredible organisations continue their life-changing work.
Whether you're supporting a cause close to your heart or just want your marathon journey to make an even bigger difference, securing a charity place is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the London Marathon weekend.
At realbuzz, we're proud to partner with leading charities to help runners secure their place while raising vital funds for incredible causes. You can apply for a charity team in the London Marathon here.
London Marathon 2027 FAQs
Why is the London Marathon two days in 2027?
The TCS London Marathon 2027 will be the first-ever two-day London Marathon, taking place across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. The historic change has been introduced to allow 100,000 runners to participate, making it the largest marathon ever staged. By expanding the event across two days, organisers hope to meet unprecedented demand for places while raising even more money for charity and delivering a significant economic boost to London.
Is the London Marathon 2027 still 26.2 miles?
Yes. The London Marathon 2027 remains the official marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres). Whether you're running on Saturday or Sunday, you'll complete the same iconic course from Greenwich and Blackheath to The Mall, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
Which day will I run the London Marathon 2027?
You won’t be able to pick your race day, participants will be allocated either Saturday 24 April or Sunday 25 April 2027 by the event organisers. Your allocated race day will be confirmed before the event as part of your official entry information.
Is the London Marathon flat?
Yes. The London Marathon is widely considered to be one of the flattest major marathons in the world. While there are a few gentle inclines, the course features very little elevation overall, making it a popular choice for first-time marathoners and runners chasing a PB.
Is the London Marathon good for beginners?
Absolutely! The flat course, incredible crowd support, excellent organisation and regular water stations make it one of the most beginner-friendly marathon majors. Just remember that 26.2 miles is still a huge challenge, so proper training is essential. Whether your goal is to just get across the finish line or to achieve a target time, London offers an unforgettable first marathon experience.
What landmarks do you run past in the London Marathon?
The London Marathon route takes runners past many of the capital's most famous landmarks, including:
- Cutty Sark
- Tower Bridge
- Canary Wharf
- The River Thames
- The Houses of Parliament
- Big Ben
- Buckingham Palace
- The Mall
Running through the heart of one of the world's greatest cities is one of the reasons the London Marathon is considered a true bucket-list race.
How difficult is the London Marathon?
The London Marathon is considered one of the more accessible marathon courses thanks to its relatively flat route. However, running 26.2 miles is never easy, regardless of the course. You’ll need lots of training and preparation, but with the right approach, you can build your confidence and enjoy the experience from start to finish.
For many runners, the biggest challenge isn't the course itself but managing pacing, nutrition and energy levels over the full marathon distance. Fortunately, London's world-famous crowd support provides a huge boost throughout the race.
How many people run the London Marathon?
In 2026, the London Marathon recorded 59,830 finishers, breaking the previous world record of 59,226 set by the New York City Marathon. In 2027, up to 100,000 runners are expected to take part across the two-day event, making it the biggest marathon ever held.
With runners travelling from around the world and hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets, the atmosphere is unlike anything else on the marathon calendar.
How do I get a London Marathon 2027 charity place?
One of the most popular ways to secure your place is by applying for a London Marathon 2027 charity place. Many charities receive guaranteed entries, which they offer to runners in return for committing to a fundraising target. Realbuzz partners with several charities looking to reach runners that are passionate about their cause to join their London Marathon teams.
Through realbuzz, you can browse charities with places available, choose a cause you'd like to support and submit an application to join their London Marathon team. Apply here.
Can I choose whether I run on Saturday or Sunday?
No. Runners cannot choose their preferred race day. Participants will be allocated either the Saturday or Sunday event by the organisers, with details confirmed ahead of race weekend.
Whichever day you're assigned, you'll enjoy the same iconic London Marathon course, the same finish on The Mall and the opportunity to be part of this historic world-first two-day marathon.
Ready to take on the London Marathon 2027?
Whether you're inspired by the history, the atmosphere, the world-famous landmarks or the opportunity to be part of the first-ever two-day London Marathon, there's never been a better time to experience this iconic race.
With 100,000 runners, unforgettable crowd support and one of the most famous finish lines in world sport, the London Marathon 2027 promises to be truly historic.
%20(1).jpg)
