The organizers of next year’s landmark double‑header TCS London Marathon have settled the race calendar in an unconventional way – a simple game of rock, paper, scissors between two of the event’s most celebrated champions. This playful showdown determined which elite competitions will be held on each day of the two‑day extravaganza scheduled for April 24 and 25, 2027. The 2027 edition is set to be a one‑off, two‑day spectacle that will see a historic 100,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes traverse the famed route from Greenwich’s Royal Observatory to the iconic backdrop of Westminster.
By spreading the event over a weekend, the marathon aims to accommodate an unprecedented number of participants while giving each elite race its own spotlight. Prior to the game, the exact placement of the elite men’s and women’s races – as well as the wheelchair divisions – remained unconfirmed.
To break the deadlock, the marathon’s chief executive, Hugh Brasher, invited the defending men’s champion, Sabastian Sawe, and four‑time women’s champion and wheelchair record‑holder Catherine Debrunner, to settle the matter with a best‑of‑three rock‑paper‑scissors match. Both athletes expressed a preference for Sunday, the traditional marathon day, but the outcome of the game would ultimately decide the schedule. In the decisive round, Debrunner emerged victorious, securing Sunday, April 25, for the elite women’s marathon and the elite women’s wheelchair marathon.
Consequently, the elite men’s race and the men’s wheelchair race will open the weekend on Saturday, April 24. This arrangement allows the organizers to showcase the top athletes in separate, high‑visibility slots, rather than compressing all elite contests into a single day. Brasher praised the novelty of the approach, 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 and the women launching the second day on Sunday.
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 novelty of the selection method, the two‑day format promises several practical benefits. First, it eases congestion on the course, allowing thousands of amateur runners to enjoy a smoother experience without the bottlenecks that can occur when a single day is packed with both elite and mass‑participation starters.
Second, it offers broadcasters the chance to air each elite race in prime viewing slots, potentially increasing global audience numbers and sponsorship exposure. The marathon will also feature a fully inclusive mass‑participation programme.
Participants of all genders, ages and abilities – including male, female and non‑binary runners – will be able to start on either Saturday or Sunday, giving them flexibility to choose the day that best fits their training schedule or personal commitments. Wheelchair athletes who are not competing in the elite division will also have dedicated start times, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all competitors.
Financially, the event is projected to become the biggest fundraising moment in UK sporting history. Organisers anticipate that more than £150 million will be raised for charitable causes, building on the marathon’s long‑standing reputation as a major charity platform. The extended weekend format is expected to boost donation totals by providing donors with two high‑profile days of media coverage and by encouraging a larger pool of participants to register and fundraise.
The decision to use a rock‑paper‑scissors contest also reflects a broader trend in sport toward creating engaging narratives that capture public imagination. By turning a routine scheduling decision into a light‑hearted competition between two beloved athletes, the marathon has generated additional buzz on social media, with fans sharing clips of the game and debating the merits of each champion’s strategy. This kind of storytelling can translate into higher ticket sales, increased merchandise revenue, and greater overall visibility for the event.
Looking ahead, the double‑marathon format may set a precedent for future large‑scale races worldwide. Organisers in other cities are already watching to see whether the split‑day approach can be replicated to manage massive participant numbers while preserving the prestige of elite competition. If successful, the 2027 London Marathon could inspire similar innovations in events such as the New York City Marathon, Berlin Marathon and other major city races.
In summary, the 2027 TCS London Marathon will unfold over two days – Saturday, April 24, for the elite men’s and men’s wheelchair races, and Sunday, April 25, for the elite women’s and women’s wheelchair races – after a playful rock‑paper‑scissors duel between Sabastian Sawe and Catherine Debrunner determined the schedule. The expanded format promises smoother logistics, heightened media exposure, inclusive participation, and a record‑breaking fundraising effort that could exceed £150 million for charities across the United Kingdom.