LA Marathon betrayed the many to shield the feelings of a few

In a move reeking of participation-trophy culture run amok, the Los Angeles Marathon last week introduced a new rule: Any runner who made it past mile 18 of the 26.2-mile course, even if they didn’t cross the finish line, received a medal.

Organizers of the March 8 race claimed it was for heat-related “safety reasons.”

But let’s call it what it is — a well-intentioned but ultimately destructive concession to fragility.

A marathon isn’t just a casual jog; it’s a grueling test of physical and mental endurance, a punishing odyssey that demands preparation, perseverance and, yes, a willingness to push your limits.

That’s the point.

Runners train for months, battling blisters, fatigue and doubt, for the singular thrill of completing the race.

Now those who gained that symbol of triumph are indistinguishable from those who got a consolation prize.

Why draw the line at mile 18? Why not mile 10, or mile 1?

Soon enough, we’ll be mailing medals to anyone who laces up their sneakers and steps out the door.

Proponents argue the move was about protecting lives.

After all, a handful of runners each year across all major marathons suffer fatal heart attacks or other medical emergencies on the course.

If you’re experiencing chest pain or signs of a heart attack mid-race, the responsible choice is to stop, seek help, and live to run another day.

Medical teams are stationed along every course precisely for these scenarios.

But altering the rules to “protect” this minuscule group cheapens the experience for the tens of thousands who do finish safely.

Are we going to cancel sports altogether because some athletes get injured?

Now that I think of it, some people might want to.

The weak-willed whiners who think merit is racist would probably love to see competitive sports go the way of the dinosaur.

This isn’t just about running, but a microcosm of a broader societal trend.

We’re constantly being told to bend reality to shield the feelings of a few, at the expense of the many.

Consider the ongoing debate surrounding male participation in women’s sports.

We’re expected to pretend that men who think they are women are indistinguishable from the real thing, all to avoid hurting the feelings of a tiny fraction of the population — less than 1%.

In doing so, we compromise safety, privacy, dignity and fairness for 50% of humanity: actual women.

We do this based on the same impulse driving the LA Marathon’s rule change, a misguided form of compassion that prioritizes emotional comfort over objective truth.

We lie to ourselves and others, insisting that partial effort equals full accomplishment, or that biology is malleable according to feelings.

This isn’t kindness; it’s cowardice.

It harms the majority to placate the minority, fostering a culture where excellence is optional and biological reality no longer exists because . . . feelings.

Look deeper, and you’ll see the fingerprints of socialism in action.

Socialist ideologies justify redistributing resources — or in this case, achievements — from the capable many to the needy few, under the guise of equity.

But true equity isn’t about lowering standards; it’s about providing opportunities for all to strive and succeed on merit.

In marathons, as in life, not everyone wins, and that’s OK.

Defeat motivates us to train harder, push further, find our true talents and earn our victories.

By handing out unearned medals, we’re teaching the next generation that showing up is enough — and that if you don’t do the job, everyone will pretend you did.

Of course, safety matters.

Marathons should continue improving medical support and screening protocols.

But if runners are dropping out at mile 18 due to exhaustion, perhaps they weren’t ready, and that’s a lesson in itself.

The LA Marathon’s choice reflects a society afraid of discomfort, one that’s more concerned about avoiding offense than about upholding standards or living in reality.

Marathon season is just beginning, with two of the biggest in the world — the Boston Marathon and the London Marathon — coming up in April. 

It’s time to push back. Elite athletes don’t pretend. 

These big races must take a stand for excellence.

Reserve your medals for finishers only.

Don’t follow LA’s example and elevate the bravery of quitting at 18 miles, or you’ll lose the best of us. 

After all, in the race of life, the real winners are those who go the distance — not those who bail out halfway and demand we all act otherwise.

Jennifer Sey is founder and CEO of XX-XY Athletics.