2026 New York City Marathon to Feature Special 50th Anniversary Medal
The 2026 New York City Marathon will feature a special finisher medal celebrating the 50th anniversary of its original five-borough course, which first ran through Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan in 1976. This course is significant as…
Richmond Petersburg, VA, October 8, 2026 — The 2026 edition of the New York City Marathon will commemorate a significant milestone with a specially designed finisher medal. This award will mark the 50th anniversary of the marathon’s iconic five-borough course.
The original course, which debuted in 1976, was a groundbreaking event for its time. It was the first iteration of the marathon to extend its route across all five boroughs of New York City: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. This expansive route established a new standard for the event.
In addition to being the first to encompass all five boroughs, the 1976 course also holds the distinction of being the first marathon to award finisher medals to participants who successfully completed the race. This tradition has continued through the decades, becoming a cherished part of the marathon experience for runners worldwide.
The special medal planned for the 2026 race will honor this dual legacy: the pioneering five-borough layout and the inaugural awarding of finisher medals. Further details regarding the design of the commemorative medal have not yet been released.
Story summarized from the original created by Justin Boggs on www.wtvr.com, see more information here.
