The organizers of the upcoming double‑header TCS London Marathon have settled the timetable for next year’s historic event in an unconventional way – a friendly game of rock, paper, scissors between two of the race’s most celebrated champions. The 2027 edition will be a unique, two‑day extravaganza running from Saturday 24 April to Sunday 25 April, and it is expected to attract a staggering 100,000 runners who will tackle the legendary route that winds from Greenwich’s historic meridian to the grandeur of Westminster.
Prior to the showdown, the precise allocation of elite races to each day remained a mystery. While the mass‑participation elements were already slated for both days, the elite programme – especially the men’s and women’s marathon and wheelchair divisions – required a final decision. To resolve the impasse, the marathon’s defending men’s champion, Sabastian Sawe, who famously shattered the two‑hour barrier in his 2023 victory, was asked to join forces with Catherine Debrunner, a four‑time London champion and the current holder of the women’s wheelchair marathon record set in 2023.
The two athletes faced off in a best‑of‑three rock, paper, scissors contest, each hoping to secure their preferred day for the elite competition. Both Sawe and Debrunner were keen to have their events on Sunday, the traditional marathon day that has become synonymous with the London race’s climax.
In the end, Debrunner emerged victorious, clinching the win with a decisive hand gesture that tipped the scales in her favour. As a result, the elite women’s marathon and the elite women’s wheelchair marathon will both be staged on Sunday, 25 April. The men’s elite marathon and the men’s wheelchair marathon will therefore open the weekend on Saturday, 24 April. Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, praised the light‑hearted method of deciding the schedule.
He explained that the double‑marathon format is a once‑in‑a‑lifetime opportunity that will showcase the sport’s finest athletes across two consecutive days. "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," Brasher said. He added that the split‑day arrangement will "allow us to shine an even brighter spotlight on the extraordinary athletes taking part," ensuring that each elite field receives undivided attention from the crowd, media, and sponsors. Beyond the sporting spectacle, the two‑day format is expected to generate unprecedented charitable fundraising.
Organisers project that the event will raise more than £150 million for a wide range of charitable causes, making it the largest fundraising moment in the history of UK sport. The massive participation pool – which includes runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes, and non‑binary competitors – will be spread across both days, offering flexible entry points for people of all abilities and schedules. The marathon weekend will begin on Saturday with the elite men’s marathon and the men’s wheelchair race, followed by a massive wave of mass‑participation runners.
The course will still follow its iconic path, passing landmarks such as the Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and the Houses of Parliament, before finishing on The Mall. On Sunday, the spotlight will shift to the elite women’s marathon and the women’s wheelchair marathon, with another surge of mass participants joining the festivities. By dividing the elite contests, the organizers aim to provide each gender and disability category with a dedicated platform, enhancing the viewing experience for spectators both on‑site and worldwide.
The decision to use a simple game to settle a logistical question reflects the marathon’s spirit of camaraderie and fun. It underscores the event’s commitment to keeping the athlete experience at the heart of its planning, while also delivering a compelling narrative for fans.
As the marathon approaches, anticipation is building not only for the athletic achievements that will be on display but also for the charitable impact that will flow from the event’s unprecedented scale. In summary, the 2027 Double TCS London Marathon will take place over two days – Saturday 24 April for the elite men’s races and Sunday 25 April for the elite women’s races – after a playful rock, paper, scissors duel between Sabastian Sawe and Catherine Debrunner determined the final schedule. The event promises to combine world‑class competition, historic participation numbers, and a record‑breaking fundraising drive, cementing its place as a landmark moment in British sporting history.