Rock, Paper, Scissors Settles Elite Race Schedule for Landmark Two-Day London Marathon

The organisers of the London Marathon have turned to a childhood game to resolve one of the more unusual scheduling questions in the event's history, confirming that next year's elite men's and women's races will be split across two separate days following a playful contest between two reigning champions.

Catherine Debrunner, the women's wheelchair world record holder, faced off against Sabastian Sawe, the men's world record holder, in a game of rock, paper, scissors. The pair, who both won their respective elite races at the 2026 London Marathon, were competing for the right to have their race staged on the traditional Sunday slot.

Debrunner emerged victorious, meaning the elite men's race and the men's wheelchair race will now take place on Saturday, 24 April, while the elite women's race and women's wheelchair race will be held the following day, Sunday, 25 April. The arrangement marks a departure from the long-standing convention of staging all elite competition on a single day.

Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, described the light-hearted decider as an enjoyable way to settle the matter. He said the contest between Sawe and Debrunner was an entertaining method of determining which day would host each elite race, adding that splitting the elite fields would allow organisers to shine an even brighter spotlight on the exceptional athletes involved.

The two-day format itself was confirmed earlier this year, with organisers describing it as a momentous one-off edition of the race. The decision to extend the event across an entire weekend was driven by overwhelming demand from the running public, after a record 1.33 million people entered the ballot for a place in next year's race.

That staggering figure represents an unprecedented level of interest in the London Marathon, which has long been one of the world's most popular mass-participation sporting events. By stretching the race over two days, organisers hope to accommodate significantly more runners than would be possible under the traditional single-day model.

In 2027, a record-breaking 100,000 participants are expected to take part, a figure that would dwarf the field sizes seen in previous editions. Organisers also estimate that more than £150 million will be raised for charitable causes, underscoring the event's role as one of the largest fundraising platforms in the United Kingdom.

The revised schedule brings with it a notable first for the women's race. The women's championship categories will line up behind the women's elite field for the first time in the history of the London event, a change that organisers believe will elevate the profile of female distance running.

Brasher highlighted the significance of the new arrangement, noting that the outstanding elite women's wheelchair field will begin the action just ahead of the women's championship runners. He said the sequencing would create a true celebration of women's marathon racing, placing female athletes at the centre of the day's proceedings.

The main events on both days will feature a mixed field of male, female and non-binary participants, ensuring that the mass races retain their inclusive character even as the elite competitions are separated. This approach reflects the event's broader commitment to welcoming runners of all backgrounds and identities.

Sawe's involvement in the rock, paper, scissors contest came shortly after he produced one of the most remarkable performances in the history of the discipline, becoming the first athlete to break the two-hour barrier in the marathon. His achievement in London has been widely described as redefining the limits of what is possible over 26.2 miles.

Debrunner, meanwhile, has established herself as the dominant force in women's wheelchair racing, holding the world record in her category. Her victory over Sawe in the playful showdown means the women's elite races will occupy the marquee Sunday slot, traditionally the most heavily attended and most widely broadcast day of the weekend.

The split schedule means spectators and television audiences will be treated to two distinct days of elite competition, with the men's fields opening the weekend on Saturday before the women's fields take centre stage on Sunday. Organisers believe this structure will generate sustained interest across the entire weekend rather than concentrating attention on a single afternoon.

The one-off nature of the 2027 edition adds a sense of occasion to the event, which has become a fixture in the global athletics calendar. Whether the two-day format could become a permanent feature in future years remains an open question, but its introduction next spring will serve as a significant test of how audiences respond to a reimagined marathon weekend.

For now, the rock, paper, scissors result has provided a definitive answer to a question that might otherwise have proved contentious, with two of the sport's biggest names effectively deciding the shape of the weekend themselves. The outcome ensures that both the men's and women's elite races will each enjoy a dedicated day in the spotlight.

With entries at record levels, fundraising expected to surpass previous benchmarks, and a schedule designed to maximise visibility for every category, the 2027 London Marathon is shaping up to be an edition unlike any that has come before. The countdown to April now begins in earnest, with the smallest of games having settled one of the largest logistical questions.