The 2022 London Marathon will be held in early October, organizers confirmed on Tuesday.

This will mark the third straight year that the event has been moved from its traditional April date.

Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events, announced the 2022 race will be held on October 2, with the subsequent 2023 race expected to return to April.

"We believe that by moving the 2022 event to October we give ourselves the best chances of welcoming the world to the streets of London, enabling tens of millions to be raised for good causes and giving people the certainty that their hard work and training will allow them to experience the amazing crowds cheering them every step of the way from Greenwich to Westminster," said Brasher.

The 2020 London marathon was held without fans due to COVID-19 restrictions. Ethiopia's Shura Kitata won the men's elite race, denying Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge a third consecutive title. Brigid Kosgei defended her women's title.

Organizers expect the 2021 London Marathon to be the largest marathon ever staged anywhere in the world, with up to 50,000 runners on the traditional course from Greenwich to The Mall and up to 50,000 participants completing the 26.2 miles on the course of their choice anywhere in the world in the course of the day.