LA Marathon will allow runners to receive medals if they exit at Mile 18

Organizers say runners may turn off at Mile 18 and still receive finisher and challenge medals this year, a temporary measure introduced amid warmer-weather concerns; official results will be updated later to reflect time and mileage.

Organizers of the Los Angeles Marathon announced that runners who stop at Mile 18 can head to the finish and still receive finisher medals. The McCourt Foundation posted the option on its website and said participants do not need to notify anyone if they choose it. The provision is for this year only, and officials said official race results will be updated later to reflect each runner's time and mileage. Organizers linked the decision to warmer-weather concerns and said they had been monitoring conditions with the LA Fire Department and the National Weather Service. Key details: - The McCourt Foundation says runners may take the turn at Mile 18 and head into the finish early and will receive finisher and any challenge medals. - Runners do not need to notify anyone and can opt to take this route at any time during the race. - The provision is in place only for this year. - Official race results will be updated later to reflect a runner's time and mileage. - Organizers said the decision followed alerts about warmer temperatures and ongoing monitoring with the LA Fire Department and the National Weather Service, as reported by Meg Treat of Treat Public Relations. - The change drew reactions on social media, including users who mocked the provision. Summary: The adjustment allows participants who are having difficulty to stop short without forgoing medals and reflects organizers' efforts to respond to warm-weather concerns. Undetermined at this time.