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Celebrated on 03/01/2026
Finisher's Medal Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of May, honors the tradition of awarding medals to participants who complete endurance events like marathons and triathlons. The holiday was inspired by the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, where finishers received a silver medal and an olive branch. Today, over 1,000 races worldwide participate in the celebration, with some events offering unique medals that glow in the dark or feature spinning elements.
Finisher's Medal Day was established in 2012 by the Running USA organization to recognize the significance of finisher medals in endurance sports. The holiday was first celebrated on May 5, 2012, with the goal of honoring the dedication and perseverance of athletes who complete races. The date was chosen to coincide with the peak of spring racing season, when many marathons and half-marathons take place.
Since its inception, Finisher's Medal Day has grown from a niche observance into a global event celebrated by running clubs, race organizers, and fitness enthusiasts. Social media campaigns encourage participants to share photos of their medals using the hashtag #FinishersMedalDay. Many races now design elaborate, themed medals to commemorate the day, and some offer virtual races for those unable to attend in person. The holiday has also expanded to include other endurance sports like cycling and obstacle course racing.
Over 2 million finisher medals are awarded annually in the United States alone, with the average medal costing between $3 and $10 to produce. The largest finisher medal ever created was for the 2017 New York City Marathon, measuring 6 inches in diameter and weighing 1.5 pounds. * A 2019 survey found that 78% of runners display their finisher medals in their homes, with 12% wearing them for an entire day after a race.
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