London is set to host a new type of marathon in May 2027, where participants will run 26.2 miles as a team of four, each covering 10.55km. Organised by Benchmark, the event will take place in Hackney Wick, with the exact route yet to be announced.
Festival-Like Atmosphere Planned for Hackney Wick
Unlike traditional relays, teams will start together and complete a loop around the area. The organisers have promised a festival-like atmosphere, featuring DJs, cheer zones, a brass band, and live music stages. A runner and spectator village will include street food vendors, cold drinks, brand experiences, and big screens.
Benchmark, which also organises the City's Square Mile Relay, said the event reflects the 'social running era'. Nick Keller, CEO of Benchmark, noted that 80% of 18-24 year-olds are signing up with others, and there has been a 59% increase in run club participation globally. He said: "The numbers don’t lie – but, while running has become increasingly social and community-driven, most race formats still centre on competition and individual achievement."
Shared Experience at the Core
Keller added: "Shared experience will be at the heart of everything we do. So yes, you’ll get a shared marathon time and we still want runners to feel that sense of achievement – but, we also want them to have fun with their mates." Staggered waves will roll through the afternoon to cater to the growing network of running communities across major cities.
Benchmark hopes to expand the concept to three major UK cities in 2027, and then into Europe.
Ticket Details and Registration
Pre-sale for the debut London event goes live at 10am on Wednesday, August 26. Benchmark will release 100 founding team tickets for 400 runners at £26.20 per person, which include limited edition Team Marathon merchandise. Registration is open to anyone aged 18 and over.
Individual tickets are also available, allowing solo runners to find a team along the way. Organisers will match runners together if they fail to find a team by April. The event is expected to attract hundreds of runners, with the festival-like format aiming to make the marathon a shared, enjoyable experience.
