Boston Marathon 2019: A Closer Look at the Unicorn Medal 🦄

Boston Marathon runs today, the 123rd edition. The famous unicorn medal is one of the most-imitated finisher designs in road racing — worth understanding why it works.

Mythological Mascot Beats Generic Sport Icon

Boston Athletic Association's unicorn dates to 1887 — a heraldic symbol of striving for the unattainable. The mythological reference is far more memorable than a generic running figure would be. For your race, consider whether a story-anchored mascot (mythological creature, local animal, historical figure) could replace generic running iconography.

Same Mascot, Different Year Engraving

The unicorn never changes; the year and edition number engraved on the back does. That consistency turns each year medal into part of a series — runners chase the full set across decades. For multi-year race programs, identical front + year-only back creates a collector dynamic that ramps participant retention.