To celebrate yesterday’s Global Running Day, The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) unveiled the new logo for the 2025 Boston Marathon.
The new logo features a big facelift, literally, to the unicorn mascot, nicknamed ‘Spike,’ and a change from the circle background to a banner shape.
What Are The Biggest Changes To The Mascot?
Here are the eight changes the BAA made to Spike the Boston Marathon unicorn:
- Northeast Spike: Pointing northeast, Spike’s horn represents the direction of the Marathon route from start to finish.
- Determined Eye: With alert and focused eyes, Spike is determined to conquer the challenging Boston Marathon course
- Breaking the Champions’ Tape: Within Spike’s neck is a gap between two lines, symbolic of breaking the champion’s tape at the finish line.
- Merging Base: Showcasing two sides coming together, the merging of the BAA’s history and future.
- 13 Decades: 13 points on Spike’s mane, one for each decade of BAA heritage.
- Flowing Mane: Spike’s mane shows swift movement in the pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle – directly tied to the BAA’s mission.
- Facing Forward: Facing forward, the logo eyes the future and many miles ahead.
And our personal favorite…
- Athletic Jawline: Spike’s jawline is enhanced, demonstrating the athletic and gritty nature of Boston.
What Other Changes Were Made To The Logo?
As mentioned, another one of the most notable changes is the new banner-shaped background, as the BAA has gone away with the traditional circle.
There have been some mixed responses to the shape change. Many people on social media have said it seems the shape has been tailored specifically to fit the Bank of America logo.
Launch of new Boston Marathon logo on Global Running Day symbolizes moving forward together.
— JACK DOG WELCH (@JACKDOGWELCH) June 5, 2024
Boston Athletic Association and Bank of America pledge to expand their support of the next generation of runners in Boston and beyond. How long until it's the Bank Of America Marathon? pic.twitter.com/0700gVAqxw
Similar complaints were made for the 2024 edition of the race when the Bank of America logo was prominent on the finisher medals.
One runner, Cathy Connor, told the New York Times that the finisher medal should not be a space for corporate ads, “Why mess up a good thing? This isn’t a turkey trot,” Connor said.
What are your thoughts on the new logo?
