In short:

- The double marathon on Saturday and Sunday will follow the same route as the usual race
- Additional entries will be given to residents of the affected boroughs
- Organisers say the weekend will be "our most ambitious evolution to date" - but there are few details about how residents will be affected

A “one-time-only” double London Marathon will go ahead next year, organisers have confirmed – bringing 100,000 runners to the streets of Greenwich over the weekend of April 24 and 25.

Organisers are promising a “citywide celebration of sport, music, and community” with a week-long series of events before the two days of races, and say that up to £150 million could be raised for good causes.

The same route from Greenwich Park and Blackheath to The Mall will be used on both days. Female elite, championship and “good for age” athletes and elite para athletes will lead the mass event on one day, with their male counterparts on the other day.

But residents – many of whom will be shut in their areas because of the nature of the course – will be waiting for more details about just how the one-off event will work, with people in Greenwich, Blackheath, Charlton, Woolwich and Deptford facing disruption on both the Saturday and Sunday. Plans for the event were first revealed in March.

Many community sports events such as parkruns will be unlikely to be able to take place that day, while Charlton Athletic and other football clubs are likely to be given away matches that weekend. 

Road closed sign with marathon runners behind
Much of the Greenwich and Charlton area is cut off by the looping marathon route. Image: The Greenwich Wire

Full details of how the weekend would work be communicated “in due course”, a marathon spokesperson said.

The first seven miles of the 26-mile, 385-yard course run through the borough of Greenwich, while the following mile and part of the start area are in Lewisham. Additional entries will be allocated to residents of boroughs along the route to enable grassroots groups and charities to take part and benefit from the expanded event, organisers said.  

The marathon has grown enormously since it began with 7,000 entrants  in 1981, following broadly the same route as today. About 20,000 people applied for the first race, while 1.33 million people are hoping for a place next year. Those hopefuls will find out next month if they have been given a place on either the Saturday or Sunday race. 

Marathon with Go Lola Go! placard
The marathon raises tens of millions of pounds each year. Image: The Greenwich Wire

Organisers have pledged that any additional income will go to the London Marathon Foundation, which gives money to good causes in the capital and the UK, while every school in London will receive two guaranteed entries for teachers or staff to generate enthusiasm among pupils. The London Mini Marathon, which takes place in Westminster and is aimed at schools, will move to Friday April 23.

Hugh Brasher, the chief executive of London Marathon Events: “The 2027 TCS London Marathon Double is our most ambitious evolution to date – a once-in-a-generation, one-time-only reimagining of what a marathon and city-wide celebration of activity can be.

“By expanding to 100,000 runners across two days, we’re opening the door for more people, more charities and more communities to take part in the world’s greatest marathon. 

“We are grateful for the vision and support of the mayor of London, the councils on the route, the emergency services, and all the stakeholders involved who have given their support to enable this world-first event to be held for London and the UK.” 

Runners in the streets of east Greenwich
More than 50,000 people took part this year. Image: The Greenwich Wire

A spokesperson for the event added that organisers would “continue working closely with our partners to ensure robust additional mitigations are in place for the weekend and that affected residents and businesses are fully supported throughout”. 

Sir Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, said he was “delighted” at the expansion.

“The London Marathon showcases the very best of our capital and we will continue working closely with London Marathon Events and our partners to ensure appropriate measures are in place for the entire weekend as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone,” he said.

Man with in a brass band on marathon route
Thousands of residents watch the marathon every year. Image: The Greenwich Wire

Greenwich Council leader Anthony Okereke told The Greenwich Wire: “I’m proud that we have the marathon start in our borough, and anything that raises the money for charity and puts Greenwich on the international sporting map is welcome. 

“I also know that it comes with its challenges, obviously there’s a monumental clean-up operation afterwards, but our teams get that done quickly, because we’re used to doing it.

“It’s a special event that’s happening once. We’ve had conversations with them and  they know our expectations in terms of what we want for our residents. By the same  part we know the opportunity that exists for businesses and the tourism that comes from it, but also the challenges of having the extra people come into your area.”

Southeastern and Thameslink have both been asked for comment on their plans for the weekend. Southeastern has traditionally run extra trains to help spectators and runners, but Thameslink services have been reduced on marathon day for the past two years.

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