Missoula, MT, October 8, 2026 — The 2026 New York City Marathon is set to commemorate a significant milestone with a specially designed finisher medal. The medal will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the race’s iconic five-borough course, a route that has defined the event for half a century.

The introduction of the five-borough course in 1976 marked a pivotal moment in the marathon’s history. Prior to this, the race was primarily held in Central Park. The expansion to include Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan transformed the New York City Marathon into a truly city-wide spectacle, drawing runners and spectators across all five boroughs.

In addition to establishing the now-famous course, the 1976 marathon also introduced another tradition that has become synonymous with endurance events worldwide: finisher medals. This innovation recognized the achievement of every runner who crossed the finish line, adding a tangible symbol of accomplishment to the demanding race. The decision to award medals in 1976 significantly evolved the participant experience and has since become a standard practice in major marathons globally.

The 2026 edition will honor both these foundational elements—the expansive course and the tradition of finisher recognition—through its commemorative medal. Further details regarding the medal’s design and the full scope of the 50th-anniversary celebrations are expected to be released closer to the event date.

Story summarized from the original created by Justin Boggs on www.kpax.com, see more information here.

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