LA Marathon participants receive medals despite not actually running a full marathon

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So, the LA Marathon happened this weekend, and it was kinda weird. Apparently, some runners didn’t even have to finish the whole 26.2 miles to get a finisher’s medal! I heard stories about people getting them even if they didn’t complete the full race, which seems a little off to me.

A marathon has always been defined as a 26.2-mile race. The difficulty of running that distance is what makes finishing it so rewarding.

Runners in the Los Angeles marathon received medals even if they only completed 18 miles, and there was a reasonable explanation for this unusual choice.

Why LA Marathon runners were given medals despite stopping early

According to Fox News, Matthew Seedorff found information on the event’s website explaining that unusually high temperatures led organizers to lower the standards for runners to earn medals this weekend.

Feeling overwhelmed during the race? If you’d like to stop before completing the full 26.2 miles, you can take the shortcut at Mile 18 and finish early. Please note this option is only available this year.

As a runner, it’s great to know I’ll still get my finisher’s medal and any challenge medals I’ve worked hard for. And honestly, I really appreciate the reminder that it’s okay to prioritize my health – there’s absolutely no shame in making the right call for my body, even if that means adjusting my plans.

This weekend’s Los Angeles Marathon will allow runners to stop at mile 18 and still earn a finisher’s medal. Race organizers created this option for anyone having a difficult race.

— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) March 7, 2026

Seedorff explained that the unusually high temperatures in Los Angeles this weekend will make the race especially challenging for everyone involved.

He predicted the race would be warmer than normal, starting in the mid-50s and warming up to the upper 70s and low 80s by afternoon.

Although the decision was made with safety in mind – and that’s understandable – it seems strange to give marathon finishers’ medals to runners who didn’t complete the full race.

A dramatic weekend in the running community

The running world had a busy weekend! Beyond a recent unexpected rule change, the LA Marathon ended with a thrilling finish. American runner Nathan Martin won in a photo finish, securing the victory right at the end of the race.

Even though Martin was about a minute behind the leader, Michael Kamau, with just 1.4 miles left in the race, he pushed hard and managed to win in the final stretch.

After the race, Martin explained that with a mile left, he noticed the pace car and the leader, and started to think he might have a chance. As they approached the final 800 meters, he knew he had to make a move and give it his all, and thankfully, it paid off.

Incredible! Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda has broken the world record in the half marathon, winning the 2026 Lisbon Half Marathon with a time of 57 minutes and 20 seconds!

— Chris Chavez (@ChrisChavez) March 8, 2026

Jacob Kiplimo set a new world record at the Lisbon Half Marathon, finishing the 21-kilometer (13.1-mile) race in an incredible 57 minutes and 20 seconds. Running that distance in under an hour is an amazing feat, practically impossible for most people.

To top it all off, an 81-year-old man named Kenton Brown recently ran the 200m sprint in 29.70 seconds at an event in Albuquerque. While it didn’t quite break the world record for his age group (29.15 seconds, set by Robert Lida in 2017), Brown actually holds the world record for the 100m, completing it in 14.21 seconds. It’s truly inspiring!

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2026-03-09 01:19