Rusty Weiss
Good news to quitters—The Los Angeles Marathon, ahead of its 2026 event, has introduced a one-time “Mile 18 Option” that allows participants to exit the course after 18 miles, head directly to the finish area, and still receive an official finisher medal.
It will be the same award traditionally given only to those who complete the full 26.2 miles.
Organizers from The McCourt Foundation cited forecasted high temperatures in the low-to-mid 80s, combined with a sunny day, as the primary reason for the safety-focused policy. Let me repeat that—mid-80s. A relatively warm day. Not hot, by any measure. Warm.
“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 McCourt Foundation says on its website. “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 foundation added. “There is no shame in making a smart decision for your body.”
NEW: Runners in the Los Angeles Marathon will be able to stop at mile 18 and still receive a finisher medal this weekend.
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) March 7, 2026
Organizers say it’s an option for participants who are having a tough race day. pic.twitter.com/6sycV36NuV
LA Marathon Mile 18 Finisher Medal Sparks Outrage Over ‘Participation Trophy’ Shortcuts
Look, I’m not about to knock anybody for running “only” 18 miles, but this is weak sauce. And if you accept that medal and tell people you ran a full marathon, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Is everything in LA, with the exception of the Dodgers, a joke? The mayor sure is. The state in general is. And now, the marathon is.
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The decision ignited fierce backlash in the running community, with many calling it a dilution of marathon integrity and a step toward “participation trophies.” Which, of course, it is.
“Who thought an actual 26.2 mile marathon could actually become woke?” on X user wrote.
“Participation trophies for grownups,” another scoffed.
Another joked, “People who don’t finish the Marathon can identify as people who do finish the Marathon.”
The people who didn’t even go should also get medals. https://t.co/fw12tZ8DTB
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) March 8, 2026
Organizers defended the policy as a necessary, temporary response to extreme conditions, insisting it prioritizes runner safety without forcing anyone to drop out. The option applies only to this year’s event, and, they say, full results will clearly distinguish true 26.2-mile finishers from those who opted for the shortcut.
Really? Is the medal going to say 18 miles on it? No, it isn’t.
In the end, LA Marathon organizers proved that when the going gets tough, the tough get… a finisher medal two-thirds of the way through.