Most official runs, be they 5K, 10K, a Half Marathon, Marathon or Ultra will have a finisher medal. That is a medal you are presented at the end of the run, at the finish line. Because ultimately, it doesn't matter if you came in first or last, if you PR'd or crawled, if you finished, you won.
(Runners don't run against other runners. They run WITH other runners. But I digress. This is a topic for a different post.)
Some runs or races have better bling than others.
Local runs, usually have OTC (Over The Counter) medals. Those are generic medals you can buy at bulk at a local trophy shop. They are inexpensive for racing coordinators, and easy to buy extras of in case of same day registration.
Destination runs, those like the Rock and Roll series, ING, or RunDisney events which require registration months ahead of time usually have amazing custom bling. The medals are usually dated, and are highly coveted.
Of course, the bling is directly proportionate to the cost of the race. The more expensive the run, the more impressive the medal. It makes sense.
A local run may cost you $20 to participate in. An OTC medal is fine.
An ING or RunDisney event may cost you $75-$150 to participate in. An OTC would be an insult. Of course you're getting a hefty medal.
Granted, destination runs bring with them other kinds of bragging rights, since they feature certain criteria that a local run may lack. For example, a minimum pace requirement, early registration doe to sell out, or in the case of the Boston Marathon, you need to qualify to even be considered to run in it. The bling is just a physical representation of the bragging rights you've earn.
The bling says:
- I followed the rules.
- Met the requirements.
- I went the distance.
Regardless of the type of run, hoops jumped through, and heft of the medal... bling is bling. Wear it proudly. It announces to the world, "While you were sleeping, I did this. Yay me!"
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