East London News A Force for the community…
EVEN IF we’re not running, we all know – especially those of us who live in the boroughs on the marathon route – that the London marathon takes up a Sunday in April, right? Wrong!
The London Marathon 2027 will be a two-day event, taking place on Saturday, 24th April and Sunday, 25th April. The one-day run has been getting so popular – with over 1.3 million people entering the ballot that allocates places – that running over two days seemed to be the only way to let more runners in.
Organisers believe that in 2027 they will be able to accommodate 100,000 participants in the two-instalment race: 45,000 on Saturday and 55,000 on Sunday. Runners will follow the same 26.2 mile routes on both days, from Greenwich to Westminster, via Tower Hamlets, but there are different time constraints – a concession to motor vehicles. Saturday’s race starts at 9am, and the finish line will close at 5.30pm to allow roads to re-open. Sunday’s race starts at 9.30am, with the finish line staying open until midnight.
The biggest change – and the one which will cause the most controversy – is to split women’s and men’s categories between the two days. Elite women, elite female para-athletes, women’s Championship and Women’s Good for Age fields will run one day, with men in their corresponding groups running on a different day. There has always been some separation of male and female runners on the race to allow for the elite men’s race being generally faster than the elite women’s race – and, of course, results are announced separately.
This goes a step further. Those watching, in person or on TV, will see a largely male dominated or a largely female dominated group of runners leading the mixed pack. Women’s sport has increased in popularity and participation over recent years. Football, cricket and rugby all have women’s teams competing – and followed – nationally and internationally. That doesn’t mean that well-known mixed events should now be split. The division may make the races easier to organise, but have those organisers considered the visual impact of their decision?
There are some other marathon events: a virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay, a Mini London Marathon (usually held on the Saturday before the Marathon, but on Friday, 23rd April in 2027). That’s less of a Marathon Day, and more of a Marathon Weekend. Save the date.
●Read more about it:
Behind the scenes at the London Marathon
Kipochoge breaks two hour marathon mark
