Marathon weekend has never exactly been quiet in this part of London. The early alarms, the charity vests, the runners pretending they slept, supporters clutching homemade signs and wondering if they’ve packed enough snacks. Streets filling up before most of London has even finished its first coffee.
But in 2027, things are getting bigger. For one year only, the TCS London Marathon becomes a two-day event, taking place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027. That’s two dates, 100,000 participants, and a full weekend of marathon energy across the capital.
Not bad for what people still casually call “a quick run.”
What’s Changing in 2027?
The 2027 event is being called the Double TCS London Marathon. Instead of the usual one-day format, runners will take part across two days, with both Saturday and Sunday using the same iconic route from Greenwich to Westminster.
That means:
- Twice the race-day atmosphere
- Twice the charity fundraising
- Twice the nervous breakfasts
- Twice as many people asking where the safety pins are
For runners, it’s more chances to be part of one of the world’s biggest marathon moments. For charities, it’s an even bigger fundraising weekend. For supporters, London becomes marathon territory for the full weekend rather than one very busy Sunday.
And for Blackheath and Greenwich? Our corner of London will be right in the thick of it.
Where the Buzz Begins
The London Marathon has always had a special connection with south-east London.
The route starts here, with runners setting off from three Start Lines before meeting just before Mile Three in Woolwich. From there, the course moves through Charlton, Greenwich and Deptford, before one of the early highlights: the loop around Cutty Sark between Miles Six and Seven.
That early part of the race has its own character. The strange calm before the start. The buzz as runners begin moving. Those first big pockets of crowd noise. That brilliant moment when everyone settles into the reality of what they’ve signed up for.
26.2 miles sounds very theoretical until you’re actually doing it.
It’s Not Just a Race – It’s a Whole London Weekend
The marathon has never really been just about the runners. It’s about the families who’ve travelled across the country to cheer someone on, the friends trying to spot one person in a sea of thousands, the charity teams shouting themselves hoarse, the volunteers making sure the whole thing works, and the locals who come out every year because frankly it would be strange not to.
In 2027, all that stretches across two days.
If you’re running, supporting or volunteering, planning ahead is going to matter more than ever. Hotels near the start will be in demand, restaurants will be busy, transport needs thinking through, breakfast becomes weirdly important, and sleep matters (possibly for the first time in months).
This isn’t the sort of weekend to leave until the last minute.
Why Blackheath and Greenwich Work for Marathon Weekend
There are plenty of places to stay in London, but marathon weekend is one of those times when location really matters. Blackheath and Greenwich give you the best of both worlds – close to the start of the action, surrounded by proper open space, and still brilliantly connected to the rest of London.
It’s busy enough to feel part of the marathon but not so frantic that you feel like you’ve accidentally booked yourself into the middle of a transport experiment.
For runners: Less stress before the race, easy access to the Start Lines, and somewhere calm to prepare properly.
For supporters: Easier access to the early miles and local landmarks, plus the ability to actually catch your runner at multiple points rather than trying to navigate central London chaos.
For families: Somewhere quieter to return to after a long day of cheering, walking, waiting and refreshing live tracking apps every thirty seconds.
If you’re making a full weekend of it, there’s plenty to do around the race itself – Greenwich Park, Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, Blackheath Common, and all the village cafés, pubs and restaurants. You can have the marathon atmosphere without spending the entire weekend crushed into central London.
Which honestly sounds like a win before anyone’s even crossed the start line.
Things to Start Thinking About Now
Marathon weekends reward organised people. Annoying, but true.
If you’re hoping to run, support or volunteer in 2027, it’s worth starting with:
- Where you need to be first thing in the morning
- How early you’ll need breakfast
- Whether you’re travelling with family
- If supporters want to stay nearby or move around the route
- How many nights you’ll need
- Whether a quieter base would make everything easier
These questions make the difference between “what a brilliant weekend” and “why are we carrying four bags across London at 6am?”
Nobody wants the second version.
The Clarendon and Marathon Weekend
We know what big London event weekends feel like at The Clarendon. Guests want comfort, timing, decent food, good advice, and a base that makes the whole thing feel less complicated. That matters even more for marathon weekend.
Whether you’re running, supporting, fundraising or coming along to soak up the atmosphere, staying in Blackheath puts you close to the early marathon energy while giving you somewhere calm to come back to afterwards.
We’ll be sharing more practical details in our next marathon blog, including tips on booking a hotel near the start, planning the weekend properly, and why Blackheath makes so much sense for both runners and supporters.
For now, mark the dates: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 April 2027.
Keep an Eye Out for Booking Details
We’ll be sharing more information soon for guests planning to stay with us for London Marathon weekend 2027. If you’re running, supporting or organising a group, this is one to get ahead of early.
Because when London doubles the marathon, the sensible people book first.