Boston marathon Organizers Address Runner Concerns wiht New Celebration Jacket Design
BOSTON, MA – Following criticism of the 2024 finisher medal and a highly competitive applicant pool for the 2026 race, the boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) is aiming too deliver a more positive experiance for marathoners with the unveiling of the 2025 Boston Marathon celebration jacket. The design comes after an online backlash to the initial jacket reveal, signaling a responsiveness to runner feedback.
The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon, scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, continues to generate significant interest. This year’s application process saw a near-record 33,267 applicants, the second-highest number in the race’s history.Despite running under qualifying standards, over 8,900 athletes were not accepted into the field, with a cut-off time of four minutes and 34 seconds established in September. The B.A.A.’s recent focus on improving the runner experience, demonstrated by the redesigned jacket and competitive entry process, underscores the institution’s commitment to maintaining the prestige and appeal of this iconic event.
The jacket reveal sparked immediate reaction online, with runners voicing their opinions on social media. This follows a significant redesign of the 2025 finisher medal, featuring a glossy, gold, embossed unicorn on a white crest cutout – a marked enhancement from the 2024 medal, which was widely described as “tacky” and “cheap.”
