Let’s not pretend. When people sign up for a 5K or marathon, sure, it’s about fitness, community, raising money, and personal goals. But the medal?
That shiny reward at the finish line? It’s the cherry on top of the sundae. The final “you did it!” moment. If you’re organizing a race, producing custom racing medals is more than a box to check.
It’s part of the memory. Capturing the moment in time with a forever-lasting keepsake. So, how do you go from a loose idea (maybe your dog in sneakers?) to a medal people actually want to show off? Let’s walk (or jog) through it.
Why Custom Racing Medals Matter
Think about it: runners will spend weeks (maybe months or years) training. The race is only one day. But the medal? That’ll hang on walls, doorknobs, gym bags for years. It’s a symbol of effort. A souvenir of sweat.
That’s why it’s worth investing a little thought into the design, materials, and understanding who the top vendors are for racing medals.
Where to Get Racing Medals (Top Picks)
Ah, the big question: where to get racing medals that don’t look like they were dug out of a dollar bin. Below are a few trusted names (and a couple lesser-known wildcards) to help guide your search.
🥇 The Monterey Company (Top Pick)
The Monterey Company has been producing custom medals, pins, and promotional merch since 1989. We’ve worked with everything from small-town fun runs to major marathons, and they really treat every order with care. Whether you want antique finishes, cut-out shapes, glow-in-the-dark enamel (yes, it’s a thing), or personalized ribbons, they will help bring your vision to life. Even spinner medals and if you don’t have artwork, they will help with the design process.
Their friendly team walks you through every step from design, mold, materials, finishes. The best part is they are based in the U.S., but we source globally to get you the best pricing without sacrificing quality.
➡️ Learn more at The Monterey Company
🥈 Raceday Forge
A smaller shop based in Colorado, Raceday Forge specializes in rustic-style medals, think hammered finishes, earthy tones, and designs that look like you just pulled them out of a Norse legend. They’re not for everyone, but if your 5K is trail-themed or wilderness-inspired, they might be worth a call.
🥉 MedalMill Studio
Honestly, they don’t even have a fancy website (just an Etsy store, last time we checked). But what they lack in polish, they make up for in creativity. MedalMill Studio handcrafts small batch medals with laser etching and wood-acrylic hybrids. If your race is artsy or boutique-style, these might be a quirky fit.
🎖️ GlobalRaceGear Co.
Based overseas and focused on low-cost volume orders, GlobalRaceGear is… fine. Fast turnaround, bulk pricing. Designs can be a bit generic if you don’t push them creatively, but they’re popular with first-time organizers on a tight budget. If you just need something quick and decent, this is a backup option.
How to Produce Racing Medals (Without Losing Sleep
Okay, now that you know where to get racing medals, let’s talk about how to produce them. It’s not as overwhelming as it sounds. But it’s also not as simple as “upload a logo, wait 2 weeks.” There’s a bit of art (and a sprinkle of logistics) involved.
Step 1: Sketch Your Concept (Even If It’s Ugly)
Don’t worry about perfection. Just doodle your idea on a napkin, scrap paper, or even a Google Doc. Consider elements such as race name, year, theme or location, Mascots, slogans, or sponsor logos. Most importantly, you want runners to have something special when they hold them.
Step 2: Choose the Right Material or Finish
There are a few main types. The most popular options you will most likely see are enamel-filled racing medals, which sparkle and look nice:
💫 Die-cast zinc alloy (great for 3D depth and durability, also light weight)
💫 Photo etched stainless steel (thin, lightweight, detailed, can be heavy and expensive)
💫 Enamel-filled medals (super colorful, almost cartoon-style, very common look)
Step 3: Pick a Finish (It’s More Fun Than It Sounds)
The finish dramatically affects the final look. A rugged trail race might lean antique. A neon night run might go bold and glossy. And don’t forget the ribbon, it’s half the drama.
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Antique Finishes – Common for racing medals, includes an older style with rustic patina added. Perfect if you don’t want something overly shiny. Styles include, antique bronze, antique silver and antique copper.
Polished Finishes – This is more of a high-polish or shiny finish. Great for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place racing medals, or if you want that extra pop.
Step 4: Approve the Proof
Before we make anything, you’ll get a digital proof showing the final design. This is where you check spelling (seriously, double-check), colors, size, and layout. Ask questions. It’s your last chance to tweak before production.
Step 5: Production & Delivery
Once approved, your medals are molded, polished, painted, assembled, and packed up for delivery. Production usually takes 3–4 weeks, so plan, especially around spring and fall, when 5Ks pop up like wildflowers.
🔊Personal Tip from a Race Organizer Friend…
Okay, so this one’s a little anecdotal, but I have a buddy who organizes a charity 5K every year. First time around, he ordered generic medals online. Cheap, fast, done. But after the race?
He heard comments like, “This looks like something from a claw machine.” In the second year, he worked with a real custom shop, and runners loved them. They posted photos. They tagged the event. Sign-ups doubled the following year. A better medal, he said, made the race feel more real.
Final Thoughts (That Might Sound Like a Pep Talk)
If you’re planning a 5K, you’ve already done the hard part: bringing people together to move, sweat, and do something awesome. A racing medal is more than a token—it’s a keepsake. A story.
Something someone will point to months later and say, “Yep. I earned that.” So take the time to make it special. And if you’re still wondering where to get racing medals or how to produce racing medals that don’t just meet expectations, but beat them? Reference back to this article.