Rock, Paper, Scissors Hands Sunday to Women at 2027 London Marathon
Catherine Debrunner has settled a marathon without taking a stride. She beat Sabastian Sawe at rock, paper, scissors to win the traditional Sunday slot for the women's races at the 2027 London Marathon.
The result splits the elite action across a weekend. The elite men's race and the men's wheelchair race will take place on Saturday, 24 April. The elite women's race and the women's wheelchair race will follow on Sunday, 25 April, according to BBC Sport.
It is an unusual way to set a start list. Rock, paper, scissors needs no explanation. One throw, one winner, no appeals. Debrunner called it right. Sawe did not.
The reason for the game is scale. The 2027 London Marathon will be staged over two days in a one-off edition. Organisers made the call after a record 1.33 million people entered the public ballot, the lottery that decides most starting places.
The numbers are big. Around 100,000 people are expected to take part across the two days. Organisers estimate more than £150 million will be raised for charitable causes, according to BBC Sport.
London has long paired sharp racing at the front with thousands of fundraisers behind. Organisers expect both days to hold that mix.
Sunday carries weight in this race. It is the historic day, the morning when the crowds line the route from Greenwich to The Mall and the television audience tunes in out of habit. Saturday is new ground. It will need its own rhythm.
There is another change for 2027. The women's championship categories will line up directly behind the women's elite field for the first time. Championship places go to strong club runners who hit a qualifying time, a step below the invited elite start but well ahead of the mass start.
What makes this stand out is how lightly a heavy schedule was settled. Splitting men and women across days affects travel, hotels, pacemakers (runners paid to set an early pace) and broadcast plans. A child's game cut through it in seconds.
For fans, the deal is simple. Mark Saturday for the men. Keep Sunday for the women. Two days, two races, no channel hopping.
