The organizers of next year’s historic double‑header TCS London Marathon have settled the schedule in an unusually playful way – a rock‑paper‑scissors showdown between two former champions. This light‑hearted contest ultimately determined which elite races would be held on each of the two days of the marathon weekend, adding a quirky footnote to what promises to be a landmark event in the running calendar. The 2027 edition is set to be a one‑off, two‑day extravaganza running from Saturday 24 April to Sunday 25 April. A staggering 100,000 runners are expected to line up for the iconic route that winds from the historic Royal Observatory in Greenwich all the way to the political heart of the nation at Westminster.
By splitting the competition across two days, the race organisers aim to give each elite field its own dedicated spotlight while still accommodating the massive mass‑participation crowds. Prior to the rock‑paper‑scissors duel, there was uncertainty about how the elite categories would be allocated.
The men’s and women’s elite races, as well as the wheelchair divisions, could have been placed on either Saturday or Sunday, and the decision would affect television coverage, spectator flow, and the overall atmosphere. To bring final clarity, the marathon’s defending men’s champion, Sabastian Sawe, who famously broke the two‑hour barrier in his 2026 victory, was asked to help finalize the timetable.
Sawe was joined by Catherine Debrunner, a four‑time London Marathon champion who holds the women’s wheelchair record set in 2023. The two athletes faced off in a best‑of‑three rock‑paper‑scissors match.
Both competitors expressed a preference for Sunday – the traditional marathon day that usually draws the biggest global audience. In the end, Debrunner emerged victorious, securing the Sunday slot for the elite women’s race and the elite women’s wheelchair race on 25 April. Consequently, the elite men’s and men’s wheelchair events will kick off the weekend on Saturday, 24 April.
This arrangement allows the weekend to open with a high‑octane men’s showdown and close with a showcase of the women’s elite talent, creating a balanced narrative across the two days. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, praised the unconventional method of decision‑making.
He said the double‑marathon format will be "a momentous one‑off event" and that the playful rock‑paper‑scissors battle added "entertaining" drama to the scheduling process. Brasher highlighted that the split schedule will "shine an even brighter spotlight on the extraordinary athletes taking part," ensuring that each elite race receives undivided attention from fans, broadcasters, and sponsors. Beyond the sporting spectacle, the two‑day marathon is poised to become the largest charitable fundraising moment in UK sporting history. Organisers project that more than £150 million will be raised for a wide array of charitable causes, building on the marathon’s long tradition of philanthropy.
Participants will be able to run for personal milestones, corporate team challenges, or to support specific charities, with fundraising platforms integrated into the registration process to maximise donations. The mass‑participation component of the event will be spread across both days, welcoming runners, walkers, and wheelchair athletes of all genders and identities.
The inclusive approach reflects the marathon’s commitment to diversity, with categories for male, female, and non‑binary participants. The extended schedule also eases logistical pressures on the city’s transport network, allowing police, medical services, and volunteers to manage crowds more effectively while maintaining a festive atmosphere along the Thames and through iconic London landmarks. From a broadcast perspective, the two‑day format offers networks the opportunity to produce two distinct live‑event windows, each featuring elite competition at its peak. This could lead to higher viewership numbers, more advertising revenue, and greater exposure for the charitable partners.
It also provides a narrative arc: Saturday’s men’s race will set the tone, while Sunday’s women’s race will deliver a dramatic finale, potentially culminating in record‑breaking performances. Athletes have welcomed the clear separation of elite races.
Sabastian Sawe noted that having the men’s race on its own day reduces the risk of congestion on the course and allows spectators to focus solely on the men's tactics and pacing strategies. Catherine Debrunner expressed excitement about the women’s race receiving a dedicated Sunday slot, which she believes will attract a larger global audience and give the women's wheelchair athletes the recognition they deserve.
In summary, the 2027 Double TCS London Marathon will unfold over two consecutive days in late April, featuring 100,000 participants across a historic course. A light‑hearted rock‑paper‑scissors duel between Sabastian Sawe and Catherine Debrunner decided that the elite men’s and men’s wheelchair races will be held on Saturday, 24 April, while the elite women’s and women’s wheelchair races will take place on Sunday, 25 April.
The split schedule promises heightened media attention for each elite field, smoother logistics for the massive participant base, and an unprecedented fundraising opportunity projected to exceed £150 million for charitable causes. The marathon’s blend of competitive excellence, community involvement, and charitable ambition ensures that the 2027 edition will be remembered as a milestone in both sporting and philanthropic history.