LA Marathon Criticized for Awarding Medals to Quitters

Race organizers face backlash for giving medals to runners who don't complete the full 26.2 miles.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The LA Marathon has faced criticism for its decision to award medals to participants who only complete around 18 miles of the 26.2-mile course. Critics argue that this devalues the achievements of those who finish the full marathon, and removes the incentive for runners to push through the challenging final miles.

Why it matters

Marathons are seen as tests of physical and mental endurance, with the final miles being the most grueling. Awarding medals to those who don't complete the full distance undermines the purpose and spirit of the event.

The details

The LA Marathon's policy allows runners who quit the race before the finish line to still claim a medal, as long as they don't notify officials of their decision to drop out. This has been criticized as 'participation trophies' that cheapen the accomplishments of true marathon finishers.

  • The 2026 LA Marathon took place on March 8th.

The players

LA Marathon

The annual marathon event held in Los Angeles, California.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

This decision by the LA Marathon organizers undermines the core purpose and spirit of the event, which is to test the physical and mental limits of runners who complete the full 26.2-mile course. Awarding medals to those who quit early devalues the achievements of true marathon finishers and removes the incentive for runners to push through the most challenging parts of the race.