{"id":240232,"date":"2026-04-25T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/london-marathon-considering-making-dramatic-change-to-iconic-race\/"},"modified":"2026-04-25T07:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T07:00:00","slug":"london-marathon-considering-making-dramatic-change-to-iconic-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/25\/london-marathon-considering-making-dramatic-change-to-iconic-race\/","title":{"rendered":"London Marathon considering making dramatic change to iconic race"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_4f8be1\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">London Marathon organisers are already putting plans in place to make the 2027 edition a different prospect entirely<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36924016\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The London Marathon is growing in popularity and in numbers\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The London Marathon is growing in popularity and in numbers<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The iconic <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/london-marathon\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">London Marathon<\/a> will take place this weekend. However, there are talks to dramatically change how the event operates from next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This 2026 run is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, but it could be the last edition of the race as fans currently know it, with marathon chiefs in talks <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/london-marathon-race-talks-run-36924020\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">to extend the event across two days<\/a>. There is also a plan forming to host twice as many runners come 2027.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The marathon has been taking place on the streets of the capital since 1981. The race itself has traditionally taken place across one day but with numbers growing, and demand for places increasing, organisers have stepped in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Plans are coming together for the marathon to take place over a weekend rather than just one day. An incredible 1,133,813 people applied through the public ballot to participate in this year\u2019s run.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That represents a<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/london-marathon-2026-everything-you-35127423\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"> 36 per cent increase on 2024\u2019s ballot numbers<\/a> with the 2025 event also raising a staggering \u00a387.3 million for charity &#8211; its highest-ever total. Last year\u2019s race also set the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/guinness-world-records\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Guinness World Record<\/a> for the most finishers in a single marathon, with 56,640 completing the circuit.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35577617\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/uk-athletics-keely-hodgkinson-baking-35577617\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The 65p baking ingredient that is being used to rewrite athletics&#8217; record books<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_6edd97\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37045734\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/other-sports\/athletics\/london-marathon-oldest-fauja-singh-37045734\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World&#8217;s oldest marathon runner revealed the one food he ate daily to survive until 114th birthday<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A London Marathon spokesperson said: \u201cThe TCS <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/london-marathon\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">London Marathon<\/a> is the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">world<\/a> \u2019s most popular marathon, and we are continually exploring innovative ways to enable more people to take part, while delivering positive benefits for London.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cTogether with our partners and stakeholders, we are looking at the intention for the 2027 TCS London Marathon to take place across two days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cNo approval has been given at this stage. Our immediate focus is on delivering an incredible 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26 April and ensuring every participant has an amazing experience.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37048079\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37048079\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Tower of London is seen as runners take part in the TCS London Marathon 2025 April 27, 2025\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37048079.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2212228611jp.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37048079.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2212228611jp.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37048079.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2212228611jp.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37048079.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2212228611jp.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The London Marathon could be in for a major change\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The London Marathon could be in for a major change<cite aria-label=\"Image: 2025 Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 2025 Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThis work is carried out in close collaboration with our partners and stakeholders, whose support is essential in staging this incredible event in the heart of the capital each year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe are currently four weeks away from the 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday 26 April, and we are looking forward to amplifying one of the original aims of the London Marathon, which was \u2018to show happiness and sense of achievement in a somewhat troubled world\u2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Poignantly, those words resonate even more now than they did almost 45 years ago to the day, when the first London Marathon took place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/sadiq-khan\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Mayor of London<\/a> spokesperson added: \u201cLondon is the sporting capital of the world and the Mayor looks forward to working with London Marathon partners to consider if it might be possible to host an event that will run across two days next year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"Join our new WhatsApp communityLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/KpLVIG1AXsd0FvfduhjjzO\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. 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However, there are talks to dramatically change how the event operates from next year. This 2026 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":240233,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6802],"tags":[52384,58619],"class_list":{"0":"post-240232","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-athetics","8":"tag-london-marathon","9":"tag-london-marathon-race"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=240232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/240232\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/240233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=240232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=240232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=240232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}