LOS ANGELES – In what the McCourt Foundation describes as a “common-sense compromise,” it announced today that the 2027 Los Angeles Marathon will replace finisher medals with “starter participation trophies” awarded to anyone who successfully crosses the starting line.
According to a press release, race volunteers will hand the trophies to runners the moment they pass the starting line, after which participants may either continue the race with trophy in hand or stop immediately knowing they still receive full credit for starting.
The decision follows heavy criticism of race organizers’ move ahead of the 2026 race to allow runners struggling in extreme heat to stop at mile 18, take a designated turn toward the finish area, and still collect a medal. Official results still reflected the shortened distance, listing those runners as completing 18 miles rather than the full 26.2.
The McCourt Foundation addressed the backlash in the press release.
“After seeing all the salty reactions to our mile-18 decision this year, we felt this was the most measured response to our critics. From here on out, no one gets a finisher medal—even if you win the damn race. Happy now? It’s amazing what people will complain about even when it has absolutely no effect on them whatsoever. This is why we can’t have nice things.”
That’s not the only change coming to the 2027 edition of the Los Angeles Marathon. The Foundation also announced a new race distance: the three-quarters marathon, a 19.65-mile option for runners struggling to choose between the half and full marathon. All starters will receive the same trophy regardless of distance completed…or attempted.
The 41st running of the Los Angeles Marathon is scheduled for March 7, 2027.
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