(March/April 2025) One of the world’s most well-known and prestigious 26.2 mile races, the Boston Marathon first took place in 1897. However, an iconic and perpetual trophy for the race’s champions wasn’t introduced until more than 100 years later in 1999 with the creation of the Boston Marathon Champions’ Trophy.

The Boston Athletic Association and Long’s Jewelers partnered and commissioned Reed & Barton to create the trophy, which is made of sterling silver and is approximately 21 inches tall and 14 inches wide when measured from handle to handle. It’s topped with a finial of the association’s signature unicorn emblem surrounded by an olive wreath, which symbolizes the wreath awarded to the champions on race day. The front is inscribed with the association’s name and the name of the trophy, and the back has a map of the race’s route, which has remained the same for 100 years. 

On race day, the winners of the professional open divisions and the Wheelchair Division are awarded the trophy, as well as a gold medal and a gold wreath, during the awards ceremony at the finish line. Traditionally, a member of the Boston Athletic Association’s Board of Governors presents the trophy and the mayor of Boston or the governor of Massachusetts presents the wreaths and medals.

The Boston Marathon Champions’ Trophy stays in Boston year-round, typically on display at the association’s offices and occasionally brought out for community events throughout the year. Champions used to get replicas of the trophy that were smaller versions made by Long’s Jewelers and Reed & Barton. However, in recent years, Long’s Jewelers and Simon Pearce have created glass trophies for the champions to bring home. They also get to take home their wreaths and medals.

The 129th Boston Marathon will take place on April 21 this year and welcome around 30,000 runners.