Why More Than 1.3 Million People Applied to Run the London Marathon
Demand for the famous 26.2-mile race has become so overwhelming that organizers are expanding it to two days.
Athletes World
• The London Marathon has become one of the world's most sought-after running events, attracting a record 1.3 million applications for 2027 and prompting organizers to expand the race to two days.
Running 26.2 miles sounds like punishment to some people. To others, it's an experience worth entering a lottery for.
A record 1,338,544 people applied for the 2027 London Marathon, an 18% increase over the previous year. That's more than a million people hoping for the chance to spend months training, travel to London, and push themselves through one of running's most famous events. (London Marathon Events, 2026)
The demand has become so enormous that organizers are expanding the marathon into a two-day event for 2027, with plans to accommodate 100,000 runners.
A record 1,338,544 people applied for the 2027 London Marathon, an 18% increase over the previous year. That's more than a million people hoping for the chance to spend months training, travel to London, and push themselves through one of running's most famous events. (London Marathon Events, 2026)
The demand has become so enormous that organizers are expanding the marathon into a two-day event for 2027, with plans to accommodate 100,000 runners.
