London Marathon surge
The 2026 London Marathon drew a record 1,133,813 ballot entries and organisers are weighing a two‑day expansion for 2027 to handle demand — a sign the race is outgrowing a single day. (news.moovitapp.com) Four‑time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel is slated to run for charity, Subway launched savory “sub‑gels” aimed at runners, and New Balance has already dropped the official 2026 kit — all moves ramping up marathon culture this month. (motorsportweek.com)(vergemagazine.co.uk)(womensrunning.co.uk)
Of the people who applied to the 2026 ballot, 869,803 were from the UK and 264,011 from abroad, with the organiser’s published breakdown showing 433,775 male, 430,983 female and 5,044 non‑binary applicants. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk) Organisers are now in talks about staging a one‑off, two‑day format in April 2027 that would split the field across a weekend and could allow roughly 100,000 runners to take part, a plan the Mayor’s office says it “looks forward to working” on with event partners. (the5krunner.com) Transport for London and other operators already publish targeted service changes for Marathon weekend — in 2025 TfL altered timetables and affected at least 23 bus routes — and the race’s official guidance lists specific road‑closure plans, meaning a two‑day event would require extra weekend service scheduling and repeated closure notices. (harrowtimes.co.uk) Sebastian Vettel’s entry is set for the race day on Sunday 26 April 2026 and organisers say he will run to raise money for the Grand Prix Trust and the Brain & Spine Foundation, appearing alongside F1 journalist Tom Clarkson. (formula1.com) New Balance released the official 2026 TCS London Marathon race range in early March, with the collection sold online and at select stores (the range includes race shoes such as the TCS London Marathon 1080v15 listed at around £170 and race apparel drops from March 1). (retailtimes.co.uk) Subway’s “Sub‑Gels” story — published on April 1 and described as Chipotle Southwest, Sweet Onion and Honey Mustard‑flavoured energy gels — ran in lifestyle outlets, and the announcement was also picked up in roundups of April Fools’ Day brand stunts. (vergemagazine.co.uk)
