A game of rock, paper, scissors has decided the dates of next year’s London Marathon. Men’s world record holder Sabastian Sawe lost to women’s wheelchair world record holder Catherine Debrunner, both 2026 champions in their races, in the contest.
As a result, the elite men and men’s wheelchair races will take place on Saturday, 24 April. The women’s events follow on Sunday.
London Marathon Events chief executive Hugh Brasher called the contest “an entertaining way to decide which day would host each elite race.”.
How the Contest Worked
The contest took place between two 2026 champions. Sawe holds the men’s world record. Debrunner holds the women’s wheelchair world record.
Debrunner’s win means the women’s races get the Sunday slot.
According to Brasher, breaking up the top-level contests will give race organisers the chance to “shine an even brighter spotlight on the extraordinary athletes taking part.”.
Why the Two-Day Format
Earlier this year, organisers said the London Marathon would run over two days instead of one. The choice came about because so many people wanted to join, with a record 1.33 million entering the ballot for next year’s race. The aim is to let more runners take part.
What Happens on Each Day
The women’s championship categories will line-up behind the women’s elite field for the first time in the London race.
“Our outstanding elite women’s wheelchair field will begin the action just ahead of them, creating a true celebration of women’s marathon racing,” Brasher added.
Both days will feature the same format: a single field where men, women and non-binary athletes all compete together.
The Record Numbers Behind It
Organisers revealed that 1.33 million people entered the ballot for next year’s event. The two-day format was adopted after that record number of entries.
Some £150m is expected to be raised for good causes, with a record-breaking 100,000 people taking part in 2027.
What Brasher Said
The contest was presented by Brasher as a matter of light-hearted amusement, though it carried a weightier intention behind it.
“Sabastian and Catherine’s rock, paper, scissors battle was an entertaining way to decide which day would host each elite race,” he said.
Another advantage he cited was the heightened profile for top-tier competitors. By splitting the races, organisers can concentrate attention on each category individually.
A Momentous One-Off Edition
This is a momentous one-off edition of the event.
The change allows a greater number of individuals to participate, especially with the record turnout at the polls.
Key Facts Box
- Elite men and men’s wheelchair: Saturday, 24 April
- Women’s events: Sunday
- Ballot entries for next year: 1.33 million
- 2027 participants: 100,000
- Estimated charitable fundraising: £150m
Our View
This is a daring move, and it is genuinely amusing too. A world record holder and a world record holder settling a major sporting fixture with a children’s game is the kind of thing that will be told at dinner tables for years.
The reasoning checks out. By spacing the events over two days, the schedule gains room to accommodate everyone. Splitting the top athletes into distinct days ensures neither group has to share attention with the other.
The question of whether rock, paper, scissors is the best method for assigning those days is a separate issue altogether; it is undoubtedly memorable.
The women’s field lining up behind the elite women’s wheelchair field is a significant change for the London race. It puts the wheelchair category into the lead position for the first time.
The two-day format gives runners a way around the ballot problem, opening up more spots for those who want to enter. With more participants expected, the charity fundraising total appears on course to reach new heights.
Source material: “'Rock, paper, scissors' decides order of London Marathon races,” the BBC.
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