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LA Marathon organizers made a head-scratching decision to reward runners “who have had a hard day” through 18 miles of the course.
Runners participating in the marathon have the option to receive their medals at the 18-miler marker, and do not necessarily have to cross the finish line after 26.2 miles.
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Medals from the 40th running of the Los Angeles Marathon, March 16, 2025. (Tom Kisken/THE STAR/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
“If you’re having a rough day and want to finish your race before 2/26, you can choose to take the turn at Mile 18 and finish early,” The McCourt Foundation says on its website. “You do not need to notify anyone of your decision and can choose to take this route at any time.”
The organization said the opportunity is for this year only.
The decision received a lot of derision on social media.
The race was set to begin Sunday with temperatures reaching up to 88 degrees in the Los Angeles area. Marathon organizers have previously canceled races or moved them earlier or later due to hot and humid conditions.
Los Angeles Marathon signage at Dodger Stadium on March 14, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)
“You will still receive your finisher medal and any challenge medal you have earned, and your official race results will be updated at a later date to reflect your time and mileage,” The McCourt Foundation added. “There is no shame in making a smart decision for your body.”
Treat Public Relations owner Meg Treat told Runner’s World that officials had the weather in mind when making the medal decision. Treat Public Relations handles PR for the race.
“Our weather talks have been ongoing… We start actively monitoring it with the LA Fire Department working with the National Weather Service 10 days before the race,” she told the outlet.
Runners participate in the 38th Los Angeles Marathon in Chinatown on March 19, 2023 in Los Angeles. (Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
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“It was earlier this week that the team was warned about the warmer temperatures… [and] we communicated to our runners how they could have a safe race day.”
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