A runner's reward

Show us yer medals!

What's the best thing you could receive at the end of a race? A hug and a kiss from your most beloved? A bottle of water? A personal best time? A medal?

Race organisers spend lots of time and effort searching for that momentum or reward that will give you a great last impression of their event. The inaugural Woodford 10K is on 12th September this year and the organisers have been busy at the drawing board designing the finishing medal before sending it for production with our sponsors Running Imp. Take a look at this little beauty! They have gone for a modern, contemporary look.

 

For the organisers of the Alf Shrubb Memorial 5 mile cross country, which will be held on 24th October, they feel it pertinent to reward the winners of each category with a relpica of Alf's 1902 World Record medal with a more nostalgic feel.

We asked some runbritain friends about their favourite medals and what they do with them.

UKA Communication Manager, Liz Birchall is married to Rob who ran internationally on the roads and cross country. We asked her whether we would see his medal's if we were to come for tea and I guess we would, if we needed to use the loo or the downstairs sink. They are obviously precious to him as he has had them beautifully framed but maybe he's a little modest and doesn't want them in everyone's face in a room that is highly frequented!

Others had their own ideas on their place and importance:

"Our medals are in a bucket with a display unit behind with all the championship medals displayed" [If you look closely you can see that the bucket is itself an actual trophy from the St.Maurice Half Marathon in Switzerland] Steve Brace, Director of Development at Welsh Athletics and double Olympian (1992 and 1996) talking about his and wife, Jackie's medal haul.

"My most memorable is from the Las Vegas Marathon, it was such an amazing experience to run down the strip and was my first experience of running a marathon, the medal along with certificate and running bib from the race is placed within a frame that takes pride of place in my lounge." Rhys Jenkins who will be attempting a 2000 mile run from Boston to Austin with brother, Scott and friend, Rusty Tolliver.

"I store them all in a box and I believe it's very important you should look after them. When I am running either 26, 13, or 10 miles in a race or fun run I love the thought of getting a medal at the end. They are better than any free gifts and are something you earn! I now store them in a box as I have so many, I guess, although every one is important to me, my favourite would be the Falklands and the London 2008 as these two medals book end the start of the 777 challenge." Blind Dave

"I would love a GB vest and to represent my country. Kit and pride outweigh medals. I like winning money and then purchasing something with it, so that running enhances other parts of my life. For example, with £1700 from Edinburgh (and I have a huge trophy), I bought a limited edition, hand embellished print by one of my favourite contemporary artists - Danielle O'connor Akiyama. Each time I look at it I think of Edinburgh, and that running does not consume everything! The UKA and England Athletics medals are among the favourites as aesthetically pleasing and not big." Sarah Gee who will make her international debut for the marathon in Toronto in October.

"I don't have a trophy cabinet but I do have a keepsake box for the special ones. I think I might put my European Cup Bronze on display as it's the one I'm most proud of to date." Susan Partridge who won a team bronze in Barcelona this year.

"I only have three medals...Wilmslow Half Marathon, Manchester 10k, and Stockholm Marathon so storage isn't too much of an issue really! The Wilmslow and Stockholm medals are on my mantle piece, and I believe my Manchester 10k medal is hanging round the neck of an ornamental giraffe called Gilbert in my living room! My favourite is the Stockholm medal as I started running with the goal of completing a marathon so I am most proud of that achievement and the medal is a reminder of the miles and months of hard work that got me to the end!" Andy Byrne, DR Physiotherapy

From all of the above it seems evident that runners treasure the medals they receive. Our sponsors Running Imp offer a fantastic range and service to race organisers which includes free engraving, presentation boxes and a bespoke medal service as well as many other materials and equipment needed to put on a successful running event. Recently the London Triathlon awarded finisher's medals designed and produced by Running Imp's sister company and specialist personalised medals producer bespokemedals.com

Coming soon.....what's the best thing you've received in your goody bag? Do any of them beat the world famous goody bag from the Stockport 10?