Medals or no medals?

My point was that if you have done something really outstanding then some form of memento might well be merited.  Fair enough if you're happy to 'have your memories', but for others something more tangible proof is much appreciated - especially if you look an unlikely contender.

"As for people who refuse to do races that don't give medals, talk about limiting yourself!"

That's me! Well over 100 medals to date and easily adding one a month so not limiting myself that much. The majority of events still do a gong.

Muttley, you limit yourself in the sense that you must mostly ignore cross country races and club series runs.

The type of races that are low key, low entry fee, and minimalistic.

For instance I do xc series races that cost £2 in the winter. No medals, water stations or any unnecessary guff given out at the end. Just as satisfying as any of your razzmatazz races.

You also miss out on well known races like the Marlow half, just because no medal. Seems an odd limiting factor!

From my experience, you're also lucky that you haven't yet done a race that promised a medal, only to receive a "memento".

Unless you check with each and every race organiser....

wait a min...

you don't do you?

Where are these "razmatazz races"? I've got a few medals but the races I got them in were pretty short on "razmatazz"!!

I check the memento etc field in the RW event info.

Fair points that are well made but 1) I work weekends so to do races on Sunday usually have to take at least half a day's leave, and 2) I don't drive so am confined to public transport.

So all the xc fun and frolics are out of range for me. So is Marlow unless I want to take a cab from the station (I don't - but I do for the Water of Life, which is also in Marlow but you get a gong. Yes, I know I'm shallow)

Edit: adding "From my experience, you're also lucky that you haven't yet done a race that promised a medal, only to receive a "memento"."

Yes I have - this year's Shinfield 10K promised a gong but gave a mug. A nice mug it was. But it wasn't a gong so I wasn't impressed.

Sounds like you have much bigger limiting factors than mere medal pursuit!

I'm surprised you can find so many races with medals that aren't on Sundays that are in range then! You must cycle to some races?

You remind me of the circa 2002-04 me. I was basically limited to very local stuff like Wycombe, and Marlow that I could get to myself by walking/bus, stuff like Bearbrook/Burnham that I could beg a lift for, or a now defunct 5miler in Hillingdon by train.

I still remember the effort of having to be at the bus station at about 7am just to get to the Marlow half one year! Then having to wait for ages after on my own for the buses home!

I prefer a memento these days to be fair. Something small but memorable. Like a paperweight or a little boot. As long as they're engraved with the event and year that's all that matters.

I do dislike the identikit medals that could be anywhere and have no reference on them.

Medal or no medal everyone will remember the Marlow half this year Stevie 

So you've run 20 halfs, at least Mutts can prove it with his medals

I marshalled Marlow and was actually shocked when I saw footage of elsewhere on the course!

Thinking back, I think I have 18 medals from the 20...just twice at Marlow to spoil the record.

If you haven't got the medal, it didn't happen ...

I'm with Muttley on this one... I love to run, but also love getting a medal at the end of a race.  It shows I've done it (and adds to the stack of medals I've received over the past year) and my little girl loves seeing them after a race.

As for medal quality - if it's what I consider a long distance (Half marathon and above) then I expect a bespoke medal which has actually been created specially for the event.  If it is anything shorter then I don't mind if it is generic but do prefer if it has the name of the race on the medal or the ribbon.

I'm not really that fussed about mememtos (have got enough mugs and towels already thanks...) and I do like an event t-shirt but again have amassed quiet a few over the year and never tend to use them.  As for club runs: I run and train with my local running club but as I'm not particularly fast yet I'm not too stressed about the club series races.  As for cross country: Among other, over the past year I've taken part in the Helly Hansen half marathon, Salisbury 5-4-3-2-1 30k race and Beachy Head Marathon - all of which were definitely cross country and had excellent bespoke medals 

I display my medals on a nice wall-mounted Sonic-blue medal rack which I made myself:

 It's based on a design I saw on etsy (www.etsy.com/shop/runningonthewall) but I didn't fancy paying the high shipping charges.  I've considered making them to sell myself but haven't gotten round to it yet... 

My Dad used to say to me 'Son, there are two types of people in the world ..... winners and everyone else ....... except for running where apparently everyone gets to be a winner and gets a medal.'

Sage words Dad ........

David: winners get trophies - 'participants' (aka everyone else) get finishers medals.  Well - those that finish anyway...

Sonic the sprinter wrote (see)

David: winners get trophies - 'participants' (aka everyone else) get finishers medals.  Well - those that finish anyway...

Sometimes.

I don't have a problem with medals, I have some really nice ones, as well as some cheap and cheerful ones. They are mementos. I have hung them together on the wall. (except the ones with for placing, I keep those with my trophies).

It's also a good place to keep your race time, just scribble it on the back of the medal.

Nykie wrote (see)

What happened at Marlow???

You needed a kayak in places.....if only they gave one of those to all competitors at the start instead of a running shirt at the end

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2bp6-SI3gA

sonic love ur medal display, i think u should seriously consider making those and selling them, my picture frame now is running out of space for my medals I need a rack to hang them on lol

Thanks I

Thanks - I'll let you know when I start mass producing them.   My girlfriend wants me to make her one for her medals so when I've built hers (a glittery pink one) I'll take some decent photos and post them up on here.