London is set to witness an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm for its iconic marathon, as a staggering record of over 1.3 million runners have thrown their hats into the ring for the 2027 event. Scheduled for 25 April, the race has shattered its own previous application record, with 1,338,544 hopefuls entering the public ballot—a massive jump from last year’s 1,133,813. More than a million of these applications come from within the UK, marking another historic milestone, with applications split nearly evenly between men and women.

This surge in interest follows a landmark 2026 edition that captivated the running world. A record-breaking 59,830 runners crossed the finish line, while the event raised over £87.5 million for charity—surpassing the 2025 total by £200,000 and counting—cementing its status as the world’s largest annual one-day fundraising event. The 2026 race was also a showcase of elite athleticism, with Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe smashing the two-hour barrier to set a new world record of 1:59:30, and all three men’s podium finishers finishing under the previous benchmark. In the women’s race, Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa successfully defended her title, breaking her own women’s-only world record in the process.

Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, expressed his amazement at the response: “This astonishing total of applicants firmly establishes London as the world’s most sought-after marathon. Nothing else comes close. Our mission is to inspire people of every age and ability to get active—and these extraordinary numbers show the massive draw and power of the London Marathon.” Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Brasher highlighted the unique appeal of the event: “It’s amazing that people want to do it. There are so many reasons—the joy, the unity. It truly is a day where you feel on top of the world because people are clapping you, cheering you. In life, we don’t get that. People come together, and you see that as human beings, we are far more similar than we are different.”

However, with the race’s capacity limited to the streets of London, Brasher acknowledged a bittersweet reality: “We’re going to disappoint more than a million people—basically more than 1.3 million—because we can’t fit everyone into the streets of London. There are other marathons out there, plenty of them, but this is just such a unique day. The crowds, the historic course—it’s such a special occasion.” The results of the record-breaking ballot will be announced in July, offering a select few the chance to be part of this extraordinary event. For those looking to channel their marathon dreams into the right gear, the London Marathon’s spirit of determination and community is the perfect inspiration to lace up and hit the pavement.