For the first time in its history, the TCS London Marathon is going double scoop. Mark your calendar for Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027, because the most popular marathon on the planet is piling a second helping onto the cone, and probably will not do it again.

London Marathon Events have confirmed this is a one-off. So if you have ever fancied being part of a piece of London Marathon history, 2027 is the year to get your spoon ready. Here is everything you need to know, plus a little honesty about your actual chances of getting served.

So What Exactly Is the London Marathon Double?

Rather than cramming everyone onto one start line on one Sunday, the 2027 event spreads 100,000 participants across two days. Think of it as two scoops on the same cone: same iconic route from Greenwich to Westminster, just dished out across the Saturday and the Sunday. You will be allocated one day and you run that day. You cannot run both, so no, you are not getting a greedy back-to-back marathon weekend with extra flakes.

It is a genuinely big deal. In 2025 the TCS London Marathon was recognised as the number one marathon brand in the world, and this Double format is the event flexing exactly why. Two days. One event. One hundred thousand runners. That is a seriously generous helping of running, charity and community.

And to be clear, this is a one-off for 2027 only. From 2028 it is expected to go back to the traditional single scoop on a Sunday. So this really is a now-or-never moment to grab the double.

Are you ready for the 2027 TCS London Marathon Double?

Does the Double Scoop Mean Double the Ballot Places?

This is the question everyone is asking, and the honest answer is: it certainly looks that way, though London Marathon Events have been careful with exactly how they word it.

What they have confirmed is this. Everyone who entered the 2027 ballot (which was open from 24 April to 1 May 2026) is automatically entered into a draw for both days.

If you donated your entry fee when you applied, you now have four chances at a place rather than the usual two. With twice the days and a target of 100,000 finishers, the maths points firmly towards more places being available. They have even said outright that the Double gives you double the chance of getting a place.

So while I cannot put an official "places doubled" cherry on top from the FAQs, everything they have published lines up with more runners getting the golden "Congratulations" email. We will all find out in July, when ballot results are shared and you discover which day you are running.

About That "Doubled" Chance... Let's Be Honest

Right, time for a reality check, lovingly delivered while the ice cream is still soft.

In recent years the chance of grabbing a London Marathon place through the public ballot has been somewhere around a teeth-grindingly small 1.5%. With the Double, your odds may have roughly doubled to around 3%.

Doubled! Twice the scoop! Brilliant!

Except, hang on. Three percent. Let that sink in. Your chances have leapt from "you have more chance of being struck by inspiration on a wet Tuesday long run" all the way up to "you have slightly more chance, but still basically none." It is the dessert equivalent of being told you can have a second scoop, then realising the tub is the size of a thimble. Yes, it is genuinely better. No, you should not be cancelling your other marathon plans just yet.

I love the optimism of "your odds have doubled." I just also love being the friend who reminds you that twice almost-nothing is still almost-nothing, even with a flake in it. Cross your fingers, by all means, but maybe keep a backup plan in the freezer.

Want a Better Route In? Run for Charity

If the ballot gods do not smile on you, the charity route remains one of the tastiest ways into London. For 2027, all UK charities, including ones brand new to the event, can apply for Saturday charity places. That means more charity spots are coming into the mix, which is fantastic news both for runners and for the incredible causes that rely on this event.

Good For Age, Championship, British Athletics Club and International entries all still exist too. The Double has not scooped away any of the traditional routes in, it has simply added a second helping to the celebration.

Right, So You Might Actually Get In. Are You Ready to Train?

Here is the thing about marathon training. Whether you sneak through the ballot, grab a charity place, or run your own version, 26.2 miles does not care how you got your number. You still have to do the work. And the work is so much easier when you are not guessing your way through it.

This is where I want to share something with you.

I train with Runna, and I have sorted out an exclusive offer for everyone reading this. Normally you get a 1 week free trial of Runna Premium. Through my link, that is doubled to 2 weeks of Runna Premium, completely free. Call it your own double scoop. Two weeks to properly get stuck into a structured, personalised plan and see if it clicks for you, which I am pretty confident it will.

Runna builds your training plan around you, your current fitness, your goal time and your race date, then adapts as you go. It takes all the second-guessing out of "what should I run today" and just tells you, which when you are juggling life and a marathon block is worth its weight in gold.

To grab the 2 weeks free, download the Runna app and use code ANDY2, or redeem directly here: https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=ANDY2

Get your plan in place early, build that base, and whether 2027 is your year or you are aiming a little further down the line, you will be ready.

2027 TCS London Marathon Double: Quick FAQ

When is the 2027 TCS London Marathon? Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. It is a two-day, double-scoop event for the first time ever.

Why is it across two days? It is a special one-off format to welcome 100,000 participants and celebrate London being recognised as the number one marathon brand in the world.

Can I run both days? No. You will be allocated one day and run that day only. One scoop per runner.

When will I find out if I got a ballot place, and which day I run? Results and your allocated day will be shared in July 2026.

Did the ballot reopen because of the Double? No. The ballot was open from 24 April to 1 May 2026 and is not reopening. If you missed it, look at charity and other entry routes.

Did donating my entry fee help my chances? Yes. If you donated your fee, you have four chances at a place rather than two.

Is this happening every year now? No. The Double is a one-off for 2027 only. After that it is back to a single scoop.

Is there a Mini London Marathon and Friday Night Lights in 2027? Yes. Both are planned for Friday 23 April 2027.

How do I get the Runna offer? Download the Runna app and use code ANDY2, or redeem at https://web.runna.com/redeem?code=ANDY2 for 2 weeks of Runna Premium free, double the usual trial. Perfect for your London Marathon training plan.

Lace up, and good luck in that ballot. You will need it.

About the Author

Andy Hood is an ultra and endurance runner, and the voice behind Running Westward Ho. A cancer survivor with a mission to get people checking, talking and lacing up, Andy has raised close to £30,000 for cancer charities through self-designed challenges, including running over 50K across London to 20 Krispy Kreme shops (yes, twice, so he knows a thing or two about a double serving). When he is not rebuilding after surgery or eyeing up UTMB week in Chamonix, he is sharing honest training guides, race reports and gear reviews, the kind where he actually uses the product rather than just taking a pouty photo holding it. He trains with Runna and believes we are all stronger together.

Lace up and enjoy your miles.

Article includes affiliate links/codes, I may receive a commission if you purchase any products or services from these companies. That goes towards running this blog, bringing you excellent articles and supporting my cancer charity fundraising with over £27,000 raised to date for cancer charities.