The finisher medal is the one part of a marathon that runners take home and keep. It is also one of the few items on a race director’s list that is made from scratch for your event, so it cannot be bought at the last minute.
The safest way to plan is to start from race day and work backwards. This guide walks through each stage, the decisions you need to make along the way, and where most delays come from.
Start with race day and work backwards
Here is the order of stages, from last to first. The figures for sampling and production are our standard lead times; the others depend on you and your shipping method.
| Stage | Time to allow |
|---|---|
| Buffer before race day, for customs, counting and packing race kits | Your choice; at least a week or two is sensible |
| Shipping from our factory to you | Ask us for a current estimate to your city |
| Mass production | Finished 14 days from the day after your deposit, sample included |
| Your sample review and approval | As fast as your team can decide; this time is added |
| Pre-production sample | 7 days from the day after your deposit |
| Deposit | Paid once you approve the vector artwork |
| Artwork drafts and approval | Depends on rounds of changes |
| Quote and design brief | We reply within 24 hours on working days |
Add these up with your own numbers. The fixed part (sample plus production) is 14 days. Everything else, especially internal approvals and shipping, is where your plan needs room.
Stage 1: brief and quote
To quote accurately we need:
- the number of medals per distance, for example full marathon, half marathon and 10K;
- approximate size in millimetres and whether you want cut-outs or 3D relief;
- your logo, sponsor logos and any design ideas or past medals you liked;
- ribbon requirements;
- packaging, such as individual poly bags or gift boxes;
- delivery address and your preferred shipping terms.
If you are not sure about size or finish, tell us your budget range and the effect you want. We will suggest options.
Stage 2: artwork and approval
Our designers turn your brief into a colour design draft showing front, back, size, colours and text. Once you approve the draft, we redraw it as production vector artwork with Pantone colours and plating notes. Nothing is made until you approve the vector file. The design fee is USD 100 per design, credited against your order.
This is the stage where marathon orders most often slip, usually because several people need to sign off: the race director, the title sponsor, sometimes a city partner. Two tips help:
- Collect approvals in parallel. Send the draft to every stakeholder at the same time, with a clear deadline.
- Check names, dates and distances letter by letter. We produce exactly what the approved artwork shows. A misspelled sponsor name or wrong year cannot be fixed after the die is cut.
If there is any chance the race date could move, consider putting the date on the ribbon rather than the medal. Ribbons are cheaper and faster to remake than a medal die.
Stage 3: sample
Once you approve the vector artwork, you pay the deposit, and the clock starts the next day. Within 7 days we make a pre-production sample. We send photos so you can check plating, colours and ribbon, or courier the physical sample if you need it in hand. Allow extra days for the courier if you do.
Approve the sample as soon as you are happy with it. Mass production starts on approval, so every day spent waiting here moves the ship date.
Stage 4: production
The finished medals are ready 14 days from the day after your deposit, sample included. During production the medals are struck or die-cast, plated, coloured, inspected against the approved sample, fitted with ribbons and packed. Read our how it works page for each step in detail.
Stage 5: shipping
How the medals travel makes a large difference to your timeline.
- Air freight is faster and is the usual choice when time is tight.
- Sea freight costs less for heavy orders but takes considerably longer, so it only works if you start early.
We ship DDP by air or sea, CIF or EXW. With DDP, we handle freight, customs clearance and import duties to your door, which removes one common source of surprises close to race day. Ask us for a current transit estimate to your city when you request your quote, because carrier schedules change.
Decisions that affect the timeline and the cost
One design or several? Each distance can have its own medal, or one medal can be used for all distances with different ribbon colours. Separate designs each need their own die and count separately towards our minimum of 100 pieces per design. One shared medal with colour-coded ribbons is simpler and faster.
How many to order. Base the number on registrations at the time you order, plus a margin for late entries and on-the-day replacements. A small reorder later means a second production run and separate shipping, which costs more time and money than ordering a margin now.
Ribbons. Sublimated ribbons can carry full-colour designs, event names and sponsor logos along their length. Tell us the width and attachment style you want. See our medal ribbons page for options.
Packaging. Individual poly bags are practical for race-kit handouts at the finish line. Gift boxes suit special editions or podium medals. See packaging boxes.
Material and finish. Most marathon medals are die-cast zinc alloy, which handles 3D relief and cut-outs well. Our guide to zinc alloy vs brass vs copper explains the trade-offs, and our guide to soft enamel vs hard enamel covers colour options.
A note on official marks
Do not include logos, rings or names belonging to Olympic organisations, other events or brands unless you have written permission to use them. We may ask for proof before production.
Ready to plan your medals?
Send us your race date, distances, quantities and any artwork through the quote form. We will reply with a quote and tell you the latest date you need to approve each stage to have medals in hand before race day. You can also browse custom medals for materials, crafts and finishes.