The organizers of the upcoming double‑header TCS London Marathon have settled the calendar for the 2027 edition in an unconventional way: a friendly game of rock‑paper‑scissors between two of the race’s most celebrated champions. The decision‑making showdown took place after months of speculation about how to allocate the elite competitions across the two‑day extravaganza, and it has now produced a clear schedule that will guide runners, wheelchair athletes and spectators alike. The 2027 London Marathon will be unlike any previous iteration. For the first time, the event will stretch over two consecutive days, Saturday 24 April and Sunday 25 April, and it will feature a staggering 100,000 participants.
Runners will travel the historic route that begins at Greenwich, winds along the Thames, and finishes in the heart of Westminster, offering a blend of iconic landmarks and cheering crowds. This massive turnout is expected to generate the biggest charitable fundraising moment in UK sport, with organizers projecting more than £150 million in donations for a wide range of causes.
Until recently, the precise placement of the elite races – the men’s and women’s open divisions as well as the wheelchair categories – remained uncertain. The marathon’s chief executive, Hugh Brasher, explained that the decision was deliberately left open to create a sense of anticipation and to give the athletes a voice in the process.
To that end, two of the competition’s most decorated figures were invited to settle the matter on the field of play: Sabastian Sawe, the defending men’s champion who famously broke the two‑hour barrier in his 2026 victory, and Catherine Debrunner, a four‑time London Marathon champion who holds the current women’s wheelchair record set in 2023. The format was simple: a best‑of‑three rock‑paper‑scissors match. Both athletes expressed a preference for Sunday, the traditional marathon day, but the game would ultimately decide who would get to claim that slot for their respective elite race.
In the first round, Sawe threw rock, while Debrunner chose paper, giving her the early lead. The second round saw Sawe respond with scissors, but Debrunner again selected paper, securing a second consecutive win and clinching the overall match.
As a result of Debrunner’s victory, the elite women’s race – both the open division and the women’s wheelchair competition – will be held on Sunday, 25 April. The men’s elite events, including the open men’s marathon and the men’s wheelchair race, will kick off the weekend on Saturday, 24 April. This split‑day arrangement allows each set of elite athletes to enjoy a dedicated spotlight, free from the logistical constraints of a single‑day schedule. In a statement, Hugh Brasher praised the light‑hearted yet decisive method: "The 2027 Double TCS London Marathon will be a momentous one‑off event, and Sabastian and Catherine's battle was an entertaining way to decide which day would host each elite race.
We can now look forward to two spectacular days of elite racing, with the men opening the weekend on Saturday April 24 and the women launching the second day on Sunday April 25. The competition may not be quite so friendly when race weekend arrives!
Splitting the elite races will allow us to shine an even brighter spotlight on the extraordinary athletes taking part." Beyond the elite contests, the mass‑participation component will run across both days, welcoming a diverse mix of male, female and non‑binary runners. This inclusive approach reflects the marathon’s long‑standing commitment to accessibility and community involvement.
Participants will be able to choose the day that best fits their schedule, with ample support stations, medical crews, and entertainment along the route to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. The decision to expand the marathon into a two‑day format also opens up new logistical possibilities. Organisers can allocate more resources to each day’s events, reducing crowding at start and finish zones, and providing a more relaxed atmosphere for spectators.
Moreover, the separation of elite races means television broadcasters can give each competition prime‑time coverage, potentially attracting higher viewership and greater sponsor exposure. From a charitable perspective, the sheer scale of the 2027 marathon is set to break records.
The event has already secured commitments from major corporate partners, and the anticipated £150 million in donations will be distributed among a wide array of charities, ranging from health and education initiatives to environmental projects. The fundraising model relies on participants’ entry fees, corporate sponsorships, and a robust digital platform that allows runners to create personal fundraising pages and engage supporters worldwide. In summary, the 2027 London Marathon will be a historic double‑header, with elite men’s races on Saturday 24 April and elite women’s races on Sunday 25 April, a schedule determined by a playful rock‑paper‑scissors duel between Sabastian Sawe and Catherine Debrunner. The event promises to attract 100,000 runners, deliver unprecedented charitable contributions, and provide a memorable experience for athletes and fans alike.
As the marathon community prepares for this landmark weekend, the excitement is palpable, and the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in the storied history of the London Marathon.