The LA Marathon has left some runners bent out of shape after announcing that participants can receive “finisher” medals even if they don’t complete the 26.2-mile race.
The McCourt Foundation, which hosts the Los Angeles Marathon, noted on its website that runners having a “tough day” can still go home with a medal if they can make it to the 18-mile mark during Sunday’s race.
“If you’re having a tough day and want to end your race before 26.2, you can choose to take the turn at Mile 18 and head into the finish line early,” the announcement, posted on a “Race Day Weather” page, said.
Race officials cited weather as the reason for the change, noting on their site that Sunday would be “slightly warmer than the typical LA Marathon race day,” with temperatures set to reach 80 degrees.
Professionals will begin the race hours before amateurs, when the temperatures will be in the 60s.
Some marathons say they disagree with the change, which organizers said would be “available for this year only.”
“I’m not a big fan of the idea of people getting marathon finisher medals for running 18 miles,” Jim Picker, who has run every single LA Marathon since its creation, totaling 40 races, told The New York Times.
“Hopefully, the people that do that will get the medal, and it will give them an incentive to come back next year, sign up, and give it another shot,” he said.
Pickler wasn’t the only marathoner to share their disappointment with the change.
“Can I get a medal if I think about running 26 miles that day?” one Facebook user commented under a Runner’s World post about the change.
Another Facebook user joked: “If I pay extra, will they give me 1st place as well?”
Marathon spokesperson Meg Treat further explained the new medals in a statement to Runner’s World.
“Our weather conversations have been ongoing… We start actively monitoring it with the LA Fire Department who partners with the National Weather Service 10 days before the race. This was earlier this week that the team was alerted about the warmer temperatures… [and] we communicated to our runners about how they could have a safe race day.”
“Mile 18 is directly correlated with where our charity half marathoners make a turn to the finish line before our marathoners proceed… back to the finish line. So folks are being directed as a part of those pre-race communications, and as a part of that communication we sent out about preparing for the weather, to look for the charity half-marathon signs if they decide that they want to utilize this option,” Treat added.
Social media users on X were also left dumbfounded by the change, including one person who noted, “So many times I would’ve loved to be done at 18. But then, I wouldn’t have finished a marathon.”
“You haven’t finished the marathon at mile 18. In case you didn’t know. Only at 26.2 miles and above have you finished the marathon. So if you take a finisher’s medal before this, it is a lie. Who is this for, honestly? Absolutely ridiculous,” another X user fumed.
Marathon organizers have stressed that the 18-mile option is available only this year.
Runners who opt to end their race early do not need to notify anyone and can choose to take the 18-mile route at any time.
“You will still receive your finisher medal and any challenge medal you’ve earned, and your official race results will be updated at a later date to reflect your timea nd mileage. There is no shame in making a smart decision for your body,” the marathon organizers said.
