Rock‑Paper‑Scissors Decides Dates for London Marathon

The organizers of the upcoming double‑header TCS London Marathon have turned to a playful showdown to settle the calendar for next year’s historic race weekend. In a light‑hearted contest of rock, paper, scissors, two former champions were asked to determine which elite events would be held on each day of the two‑day extravaganza. The decision‑making spectacle not only added a dash of fun to the planning process but also gave fans a glimpse into the personalities of the athletes involved.

The 2027 edition of the London Marathon is set to be a singular, two‑day affair running from Saturday 24 April to Sunday 25 April. Organisers are projecting a record‑breaking field of 100,000 runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes who will traverse the iconic route that snakes from the historic Royal Observatory in Greenwich, past the towering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, along the Thames, and finishes in the heart of Westminster.

This massive turnout is expected to generate more than £150 million for charitable causes, potentially making it the most lucrative fundraising event in the history of UK sport. Prior to the playful duel, there had been uncertainty about how the elite categories would be split across the two days.

Traditionally, the marathon’s elite men’s race has taken place on a Sunday, with the women’s race on the same day, but the double‑marathon format required a new approach. To resolve the schedule, the marathon’s chief executive, Hugh Brasher, invited two of the event’s most celebrated athletes to settle the matter with a best‑of‑three rock‑paper‑scissors match. The competitors were Sabastian Sawe, the defending men’s champion who made headlines last year by breaking the two‑hour barrier—a feat that cemented his status as one of the sport’s greats—and Catherine Debrunner, a four‑time London Marathon champion in the women’s wheelchair division who still holds the women’s wheelchair record set in 2023.

Both athletes expressed a preference for Sunday, the traditional marathon day, but the final outcome hinged on the simple hand‑gesture game. In the first round, Sawe threw rock, while Debrunner countered with paper, giving her the early lead. The second round saw Sawe choose scissors, but Debrunner again opted for paper, securing her second consecutive win and clinching the best‑of‑three series. As a result, Debrunner’s choice of Sunday was honored, meaning the elite women’s marathon and the elite women’s wheelchair marathon will both be contested on Sunday 25 April.

Consequently, the elite men’s marathon and the elite men’s wheelchair marathon will open the weekend on Saturday 24 April. Hugh Brasher praised the unconventional method, saying, "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." The decision to split the elite fields across two days is more than a scheduling curiosity; it reflects a strategic effort to maximise media exposure, spectator engagement, and charitable impact. By giving the men’s and women’s elite races their own dedicated days, broadcasters can provide uninterrupted coverage, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the tactics, pacing, and drama of each race without the usual time‑constraints of a single‑day program.

This also gives sponsors and partners a larger platform to showcase their involvement, potentially driving higher fundraising returns. Beyond the elite competition, the mass‑participation element of the marathon will be spread over both days, welcoming a diverse mix of male, female, and non‑binary runners.

The inclusive approach underscores the marathon’s reputation as a celebration of community, perseverance, and philanthropy. Participants will have the option to choose which day best fits their training schedule, travel plans, or personal preferences, thereby reducing congestion at start and finish zones and enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved. The two‑day format also presents logistical advantages. Road closures along the 26.2‑mile route can be staggered, minimizing disruption to city traffic and local businesses.

Medical and safety services can be allocated more efficiently, ensuring that both elite and amateur athletes receive optimal support. Moreover, the extended weekend offers local hospitality venues—hotels, restaurants, and attractions—additional opportunities to welcome visitors from around the globe, boosting the city’s tourism economy. From a charitable perspective, the projected £150 million fundraising target is ambitious but achievable. In recent years, the London Marathon has become a premier platform for charities to raise funds, with participants often securing sponsorships from friends, family, and corporate partners.

The expanded schedule is expected to attract even more donors, as the heightened media attention and extended coverage provide greater visibility for each cause. Organisers are also introducing new digital fundraising tools, interactive donor dashboards, and virtual participation options to broaden the reach beyond those physically on the streets of London. In summary, the rock‑paper‑scissors showdown between Sabastian Sawe and Catherine Debrunner may have been a whimsical way to settle a scheduling question, but it reflects the spirit of innovation and community that defines the London Marathon. The 2027 double‑marathon promises to be a landmark event, combining elite athletic excellence, mass‑participation enthusiasm, and unprecedented charitable fundraising.

Whether you are a seasoned marathoner, a first‑time runner, a wheelchair athlete, or a supporter cheering from the sidelines, the upcoming weekend will offer an unforgettable celebration of human endurance, determination, and generosity.