running boom

London Marathon Expects Record 59,000 Runners as Running Boom Fueled by Gen Z and Women Transforms the Sport

A record 59,000 runners will take part in Sunday's London Marathon, raising £100m for charity. The event has seen a surge in interest with 1.1 million ballot entries – 750,000 more than four years ago – driven by Gen Z, women, and social media. A third of entrants are aged 18-29, with females comprising the biggest percentage of under-30 participants. Organisers plan to split the race over two days in 2027 to accommodate 100,000 runners.