Catherine Debrunner won a Rock, Paper, Scissors match against Sebastian Sawe, deciding the elite women's race for the 2027 Double TCS London Marathon. The event will feature elite women and wheelchair races on Sunday, April 25, and men's races on Saturday, April 24. This marks the first marathon start decided by Rock, Paper, Scissors.
The two-day format responds to record demand, accommodating 100,000 runners and aiming to raise over £150 million for charity. Hugh Brasher, CEO of London Marathon Events, emphasizes this as a unique, one-time event. The split format offers a new perspective for women's races, with elite women's wheelchair and Championship races preceding the men's. Read more racing coverage.
Challenges include managing road closures, marshalling, and charity capacity over two days. Despite Brasher's insistence on a one-off event, the success of the format could influence future marathons. Organizers aim to balance operational challenges with the potential for significant fundraising. Related: Rock, paper, scissors decides London Marathon race order.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Athletics Weekly. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.