The Boston Marathon has officially redeemed itself in the eyes of runners everywhere.
After last year’s much-maligned finisher’s medal—described by some as a “corporate billboard with a unicorn on it”—the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) took the hint, went back to the drawing board, and came out swinging.
The result? A 2025 medal that runners actually want to hang on their walls, not bury in the bottom of a drawer next to old race bibs and mismatched socks.
This year’s medal returns to a full-circle design, ditching last year’s half-circle-on-a-rectangle format, which didn’t sit well with many Boston participants.
Front and center is a striking, embossed gold unicorn, set against a clean, white crest cutout. Surrounding it, a deep blue border proudly proclaims “129th Boston Marathon” and “Boston Athletic Association,” just in case you forget what that 26.2-mile sufferfest was all about.
But perhaps the most crucial detail? The Bank of America (BofA) logo is back where it belongs—small and subtle.
Unlike last year’s design, where BofA’s name was boldly stamped in full across the bottom like a corporate sponsorship gone wrong, this year’s version keeps it tucked underneath the unicorn. It’s still there, but now it’s more of a polite, “Hey, we paid for this,” rather than a “Please don’t forget our brand.”
If you’re new to the Boston Marathon, you might be wondering: What’s with the unicorn?
No, Boston isn’t secretly sponsored by a medieval fantasy novel. The unicorn has been the symbol of the B.A.A. since 1887, representing perseverance, strength, and the kind of mythical endurance required to run from Hopkinton to Boylston Street without questioning your life choices at mile 20.
Having it front and center on the 2025 medal is a return to form—because at the end of the day, you’re running for glory, not a bank.
The running community can be… let’s just say, opinionated. But this time, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Social media has been flooded with comments like, “That’s a medal worth suffering for!” and “That is niceeee, can I trade in my 2024 medal please?” One runner even called it “a phoenix rising from the ashes of the 2024 dumpster fire.” (Ouch. But also, fair.)
While the medal has been showered with praise, not all Boston Marathon swag is getting the same love.
The official Adidas celebration jacket, unveiled in December, was met with a collective “meh” from the community. At $120, many runners expected more than what some have described as “a windbreaker with commitment issues.”
One understated but meaningful touch on this year’s medal is a reference on the back to the 250th anniversary of Patriots’ Day, the historic holiday on which the Boston Marathon is run. A small but fitting nod to the marathon’s deep-rooted connection to Boston’s legacy of resilience and revolution.
If the B.A.A. was hoping to make up for last year’s design faux pas, mission accomplished. This year’s Boston Marathon medal is everything a finisher’s medal should be—iconic, meaningful, and most importantly, something you’ll be proud to wear around your neck as you hobble to the post-race beer tent.
So, if you’re toeing the line on April 21, know that there’s some seriously good bling waiting for you at the finish. Just don’t expect the celebration jacket to match the same level of hype.
Agree and enjoyed reading