Fans furious at Los Angeles Marathon organizers after runners who did not finish full race still awarded finisher medals

Runners and fans were left angry after a surprising decision during the Los Angeles Marathon this week. Organizers allowed runners who stopped at mile 18 of the 26.2-mile race to still receive an official finisher medal. Many runners felt this took away the meaning of completing a full marathon, and the debate quickly spread across social media. The race took place on Sunday across Los Angeles, starting near Dodger Stadium and ending in Century City. Normally, runners must finish the entire 26.2 miles to earn the medal. But this year organizers introduced an option where runners could turn toward the finish line at mile 18 and still receive the same medal.The decision came from the event organizers, the McCourt Foundation, who said the change was made because temperatures were rising quickly during the race. Many runners understood the safety concern, but others felt the rule crossed a line. Online reactions poured in, with some calling the move unfair to runners who completed the entire distance.One runner wrote on X, “So many times I would’ve loved to be done at 18. But then, I wouldn’t have finished a marathon.”Another runner added, “That’s ridiculous. The race really doesn’t start until mile 20. Best marathon advice I ever got: ‘Consider it a 20-mile warmup to the hardest 10k of your life.’”A user who described himself as “Hybrid Athlete Guy” posted a blunt reaction, calling the decision “pathetic.”While the controversy grew online, elite runners still completed the full race. Kenya’s Priscah Cherono won the women’s event with a time of 2:25:20. In the men’s race, American runner Nathan Martain narrowly beat Kenya’s Michael Kimani Kamau to win in 2:11:18.These elite athletes started earlier in the morning when temperatures were still in the mid-60s. However, amateur runners began later, when the weather had warmed significantly.Ahead of the race, the McCourt Foundation had already warned runners about the heat. The organization released a statement explaining the mile-18 option.“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 statement said.“You do not need to notify anyone of your decision and can opt to take this 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 time and mileage.”The statement also told runners that “there is no shame in making a smart decision for your body.”According to running magazine Runner’s World, race spokeswoman Meg Treat said organizers were closely tracking the weather with help from the Los Angeles Fire Department and the National Weather Service. She explained that officials had been monitoring conditions for about 10 days before the race.To help runners deal with the heat, organizers also added 19 aid stations along the course. These stations offered water, electrolyte drinks, and misting areas where runners could cool down.Still, many runners said the medal decision changed the meaning of finishing a marathon. For them, crossing the 26.2-mile line is what makes the medal special. Organizers said the early-finish option will only be used for this year’s race.