Running News Daily

The decision at the Los Angeles Marathon to allow runners to stop at 18 miles and still receive a finisher’s medal was, in my opinion, a very poor decision. The weather was not extreme, and the idea sends the wrong message about what a marathon represents.

A marathon has always meant one thing: 26.2 miles. It is a challenge that requires preparation, discipline, and the willingness to push through the toughest miles near the end of the race.

As a lifetime runner who has finished 11 marathons (first photo me running the Boston Marathon at age 65 finishing in 3:32:17)  I can say with certainty that the real marathon does not even begin until around mile 20. Stopping at mile 18 and accepting a marathon medal simply does not represent finishing a marathon.

I’m glad to hear that most runners chose to continue the full distance. That shows the spirit of our sport is still strong.  (Third photo the photo finish this year.)

Running is built on honesty and personal integrity. When you cross the finish line of a marathon, you know exactly what you accomplished. A medal only has meaning if it represents the full distance.  For the organizers to endorse only running 18 miles but still get a marathon finishers medal is shameful.  

Those who stopped at 18 miles may have participated in the event, but they did not finish a marathon.  

— Bob Anderson

Lifetime Runner, Finisher of 11 Marathons, Founder and Publisher of Runner’s World for 18 years, Editor and publisher of my best runs