What is the big deal with finisher medals?

I'm a fan of finisher medals. They're a cooler souvenir than a shirt.

TAA wrote:

I'm a fan of finisher medals. They're a cooler souvenir than a shirt.

why dont they give every olympian at the olympics a finishers medal? 3rd place gets bronze and 4th gets nothing. A 4th place olympian is probably more deserving of a finishers medal than most hobby joggers. Why dont they give the fans at the olympic stadium a finishers medal.. if they finish watching the event

At the end of the day does your boss tell you..

"good job on finishing that assignment! Now here's a finishers medal to put around your neck. You'll get another finishers medal tomorrow once you complete the next assignment." Who cares.. when we die someone will dump 100 tonnes of finishers medals in our coffins.

I received a finisher's meddle in a 10k a few months ago. With about a half a mile to go I found myself being gently nudged off the course by a lady riding a segway with a vizsla tied to it. Each time I tried to right my ship, she would whisper sharply and lead her dog in front of me so that I would have to slow down to avoid running into them. Kawauchi didn't appreciate his finisher's meddle, either. http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---QqGprBU--/c_fit,fl_progressive,q_80,w_636/1069995381078955336.png

I have more issue with the National Anthem being played/sang at any tiny event. I feel like they are trying to elevate a piss of a local 5K while cheapening the Anthem.

Norseman Extreme Ironman has a black finisher T shirt for the top 160 (they finish on top of a mountain), the rest gets a white T shirt (and finish on the flats bellow)

Far be it from me to determine what the racing public wants or expects these days. I ran my first marathon in 1976 and even marathons didn't give finishers medals in those days. I forget the first time I got one-- might have been Boston-- but as soon as one marathon gave them out, within a year, it seemed like every marathon was doing it. I no longer race, but it doesn't surprise me it's trickled down to shorter races.

I recall a 30 Km race I ran in the late 70s where they gave medals to the first 100 or 200 finishers asthey came through the chute. When I got home I looked at it and it had an image of a runner in starting blocks. Pretty funny.

Far be it from me to determine what the racing public wants or expects these days. I ran my first marathon in 1976 and even marathons didn't give finishers medals in those days. I forget the first time I got one-- might have been Boston-- but as soon as one marathon gave them out, within a year, it seemed like every marathon was doing it. I no longer race, but it doesn't surprise me it's trickled down to shorter races.

I recall a 30 Km race I ran in the late 70s where they gave medals to the first 100 or 200 finishers asthey came through the chute. When I got home I looked at it and it had an image of a runner in starting blocks. Pretty funny.

participation ribbon wrote:

I don't understand the (seemingly recent) obsession with finishers medals. It used to be the major marathons gave them out. Now it seems like every race, no matter the length, has one. I helped put on a 10k/5k turkey trot, and we got angry e-mails after the race because we didn't have them. Are "new" runners really that concerned with these cheap trinkets?

Yes, they are that concerned. Because this is the age where we don't keep score in pee wee sports, have graduation ceremonies for preschool, and idolize the biggest loser.

These people are proud of their couch to 5k. Some personal trainer that has them walking on a treadmill chose this race because it was low key, or "judgement free". They're way too embarrassed about weighing 500 pounds to go to a race with more than 200 people, just not embarrassed enough to have ever done anything about it before. But now, now they have a medal they can post on Instagram, which besides checking in to the gym on Facebook and posting motivational pictures is the only thing they can show; because despite paying $100 an hour they haven't actually lost an ounce yet. Maybe because their 4 month training has only prepared them to walk the winners warm up jog.

This is the new generation where participation is key and when you get to the finishline does not matter. As long as there's a finishers medal there.

For the majority of the people its all about having fun and nothing more.. just like Rock &Roll is dead and now there's this pop music that just keeps getting more terrible each year. This music brainwashes you into becoming a member of the pop cult running generation where everyone is united in peace and harmony. it's a care free generation where effort is not important as long as you get there. The turtle always wins the race and that's what we have... a lot of turtles with finisher medals.

There are still a lot of small local races in the summer that charge under $10, maybe just $5, and don't give any "swag" at all. I'd gravitate to those.

EZ10Miler wrote:

What I expect:

- an accurately measured course.

- a course that makes some degree of sense.

- the course should have traffic control and be well marked.

- the race should start on time

- there should be water on the course

- accurate results

- awards ceremony in a quick and timely manner.

After that everything else is up in the air. I would certainly RATHER receive a gift certificate to a restaurant or running store than some trinket or plaque. And I know sponsors want their name on the back of a t-shirt but I would love for more races to branch out into giving hats, gloves, boxer shorts, sweat shirts... anything that's not yet another race t-shirt.

A finishers medal for anything less than a marathon is ridiculous.

I vote for the above. Just the facts, and done. See ya next year.

This probably is a result of this "everyone gets to play, everyone gets a medal" mentality that is pervasive in youth sports. My son plays soccer and every season the league provides medals for all the kids. Then, on top of that, the parents want to get together and buy trophies. And put their names on their shirts. And get professional photographs. It's all ridiculous for a two-month long season twice a year.

One of the reasons I've encouraged by kids to get into running 5K's is simply that not everyone gets a medal. They want a medal? They better finish in the top 3. So far we haven't been in a 5K that gives out medals to everyone and I'd probably not sign them up for one if they did.

Was just thinking what it would be like to get a finishers medal at the end of the 100 meter dash.

"Congratulations Usain Bolt! You made it to the finish line. There'll be no olympic gold for you this year. Instead we are putting a finishers medal around your neck. You made long journey to the end of the track. Now go home to Jamaica and brag to your fans by showing off this piece of round tin"

Races don't need to be super fancy. But there is a list of "minimum requirements" that I like to see fulfilled before I consider signing up:

- a medal is nice for 5k-10k distance but it is a must for Half Marathon distance and up

- bands: for the 5k, finish line entertainment is ok, for a 10k a couple of bands wouldn't hurt. Anything longer and entertainment is a must

- participation T-Shirt is mandatory for all races or I won't sign up

- water/gatorade stations should be every mile. In the 5k, a station at mile 1 and 2 is sufficient

- bagels and coffee (fair trade) at the finish line to round things up

This is sarcasm, right?

Xenostreams wrote:

- a medal is nice for 5k-10k distance but it is a must for Half Marathon distance and up

Forgot to mention: I also like how e.g. the Nike Women Half give out Tiffany's necklaces, but this should not replace the medal, but complement it.

Anyone who finishes a 5K marathon deserves a medal.

The big deal is you get to take awesome pictures like this:

http://blog.creaders.net/upfile/image/20140430/20140430065254_17270.jpg

better than a lame tattoo of some Japanese symbol or 'tribal' tattoo or some other pathetic body mark. or BQ or BAA or anything else

I'll let the Olympic Rings slide. Not much else is worthy

Tats are for the weak minded