2026 marathon medal celebrates 50th anniversary of the 5-boro course and 50 years of medals
The sculptural design highlights New York City’s iconic skyline and the five bridges runners cross along their 26.2-mile journey
New York, Oct. 7, 2026 — Fifty years after awarding the first New York City Marathon finisher medal to participants of the historic 1976 5-boro race, New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City, producing 60 annual adult and youth races, today unveiled the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon finisher medal. This year’s milestone design celebrates the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro course and 50 years of New York City Marathon finisher medals.
“To honor the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro New York City Marathon course, our 2026 TCS New York City Marathon finisher medal pays homage to the growth, resilience, and power of the five boroughs over the past 50 years,” said Juliette Morris, New York Road Runners chief marketing and digital officer. “The design captures what makes the TCS New York City Marathon so special, from the energy of New York City to the shared human experience that comes to life on its streets each year.”
The tactile medal features an abstract, sculptural interpretation of New York City’s emblematic skyline, representing the city’s growth over the decades. Designed in an energetic, sunburst shape, the medal also highlights the five iconic bridges runners cross during the 26.2-mile race.
The unbroken, circular skyline form symbolizes both the unity of the boroughs and the enduring connection the marathon has created and continues to foster across communities, generations, and cultures.
Made of zinc with an electroplated gold finish, the medal is slightly larger this year, at 3.5 inches wide, to commemorate the 50th anniversary milestone, while the center medallion is the same size as the 2025 finisher medal, at 2.12 inches wide, keeping the details of the design familiar while giving the medal greater presence.
The ribbon, which nods to a 1970s design aesthetic, showcases the TCS New York City Marathon logo, the 50th anniversary mark, and each of the five boroughs, celebrating the 26.2-mile journey that runners enjoy.
New York Road Runners first started awarding official New York City Marathon finisher medals in 1976, which coincided with the historic year the race expanded beyond Central Park and through all five boroughs to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial.
In the 50 years since, the medal has become one of the most cherished symbols of finishing the race. From the inaugural 1976 medal to today’s latest creation, the design has grown significantly in size and detail, with each year bringing a more distinctive and intricate interpretation. Over the decades, it has evolved from a simple round coin into a piece of sculptural jewelry, balancing simplicity, beauty, and elegance.
New York Road Runners Creative Director Thomas Cabus, Design Lead Keziah Makoundou, Designer Adam Koon, Head of Marketing Strategy Emily Casey, and Chief Marketing and Digital Officer Juliette Morris worked together on the design of the 2026 medal. The yearlong process began with the team establishing the year’s theme and narrative, followed by 26 initial ideas that went through multiple rounds of fine-tuning before the final design moved into production. The result is a medal that celebrates the runners’ achievements and will serve as a lasting keepsake of race day.
The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon will take place Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, with nearly 60,000 runners expected to cross the finish line in Central Park.
About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970–2026)
Initially run in 1970 as four-plus laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time on Oct. 24, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City–based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running—serving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features nearly 60,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.