1.3M Apply for London Marathon in Record-Breaking Year

More than 1.3 million people just applied to run the London Marathon, breaking every record and proving that the world's appetite for active living has never been stronger.

A staggering 1,338,544 runners entered the public ballot for the April 2027 race. That's 200,000 more applicants than last year's already record-breaking total of 1.1 million.

Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, didn't hold back his excitement. "This astonishing total of applicants firmly establishes London as the world's most sought-after marathon," he said. "Nothing else comes close."

The numbers tell an inspiring story beyond the race itself. For the first time ever, more than one million applications came from the UK alone. Even better, male and female registrations reached near parity, showing that running culture is becoming truly inclusive.

This year's marathon already made history in its own right. A record 59,830 people crossed the finish line, making it the biggest annual one-day fundraising event in the world. Just last weekend, Kenya's Sabastian Sawe became the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon in competitive conditions, while Ethiopia's Tigst Assefa broke her own women's world record.

The overwhelming demand has organizers considering something revolutionary. They're exploring holding the 2027 race across two days, Saturday and Sunday, as a one-time experiment to accommodate more runners and raise even more money for charity.

The Ripple Effect

The economic and social impact could be massive. Organizers estimate a two-day marathon would generate over $400 million in economic benefits and help charities raise more than $150 million. That money flows directly into communities, supporting everything from medical research to local youth programs.

The decision to potentially expand shows organizers aren't just running a race. They're responding to a movement of everyday people choosing health, community, and purpose over sedentary living.

Brasher hopes to confirm the two-day plan by late May. "I think this shows the desire, the need, for the country," he told BBC Breakfast. "I'm positive it's the right thing to do."

Ballot results will be released in early July through a random draw, turning hundreds of thousands of hopeful runners into confirmed participants ready to chase their 26.2-mile dreams.