London Marathon scale
- The 46th London Marathon is set for Sunday, April 26, with more than 59,000 runners expected at the start line, putting London on course to surpass last year’s world-record 56,640 finishers. - Organizers say the race drew a record 1.13 million ballot applications, with more than one-third of UK applicants aged 18 to 29 and more than 1,900 disabled participants entered. - London’s growth has prompted talks of a two-day race in 2027 that could allow 100,000 finishers and raise more than £130 million for charity. (bbc.com)
More than 59,000 runners are expected to start the 46th London Marathon on Sunday, April 26, putting the race on track to break its own finisher record. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk) (olympics.com) London Marathon Events said the 2026 race drew a world-record 1.13 million ballot applications, making this edition the most popular marathon in the world before a runner has even crossed the start line. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk) The 2025 race already set the global mark for finishers at 56,640, and BBC Sport reported organizers are discussing a two-day format for 2027 that could expand capacity to 100,000 finishers. (bbc.com) (olympics.com) The surge is showing up in who is entering. London Marathon Events said more than one-third of UK applicants were aged 18 to 29, and women made up the biggest share of that younger group. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk) Organizers also said this will be the most inclusive London Marathon yet, with more than 1,900 disabled participants registered for the mass event, including wheelchair users, blind and visually impaired runners, and deaf entrants. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk) At the front of the race, defending men’s champion Sabastian Sawe returns after winning London in 2:02:27 in 2025, with Jacob Kiplimo, Tamirat Tola and Deresa Geleta in the men’s elite field. (olympics.com) (bbc.com) In the women’s race, Tigst Assefa is back after setting a women-only world record of 2:15:50 in London last year, with Joyciline Jepkosgei and Hellen Obiri listed among her main challengers. (bbc.com) (olympics.com) BBC Sport reported Hugh Brasher said a larger 2027 event could raise more than £130 million for charity, extending London’s position as one of the biggest fundraising days in sport. (bbc.com) For now, the immediate test is simpler: whether London can turn record demand into a record day on the roads from Greenwich Park to The Mall. (bbc.com) (londonmarathonevents.co.uk)
