For a first time runner a medal is a big deal
Firsts in life are a big deal. Like a child’s first step, a First 5K Race is a big step in life.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, you deserve a finisher’s medal when you finish your first 5K road race.
As a runner, you know how much work and determination it takes to run your first 5k race. As a parent, spouse or friend, you know how hard your runner has worked to prepare.
Order a 2021 My First 5K medal
Order a 2022 My First 5K medal
Most races award medals to the top three male and female finishers. Some also award medals to the top finishers by age group.
Make sure your runner brings home a medal regardless of how they finish the race.
5K Medals for First Time Runners
Why don’t all races award medals for all finishers?
Most 5K races are fundraisers and race directors have to watch their budget.
Race directors have to pay for timing services, police details, insurance and usually race shirts.
Most 5K races are raising money for one organization or another. It may be for the local PTO, medical research or to assistant veterans and other people in need.
Fundraisers need to raise funds
When a non-profit commits staff and resources to produce a 5K road race, they need to have something to show for their expenditure of time and funds.
In a 2005 Cool Running article Boston Marathon Race Director, Dave McGillivray, gave an example of the costs to produce the average 500 person race. He included everything from t-shirts to toilets and came up with a cost per runner of $20.30.
In 2005 the average 5K entry fee was $20.00. Sixteen years later, the average 5K fee is $30.00.
Dave’s estimate did not include awards or finishers medals, and his race still lost 30¢ per runner.
The $30 collected per runner today doesn’t go much further than the $20 collected in 2005. In addition to inflation, races have become bigger productions and most provide tech shirts instead of cotton.
Dave’s 2005 article indicates that not providing a finishers medal is a long-standing practice. So even in 2005 race directors felt the need to eliminate this expense.
Races need runners to be successful
Races need runners to show up in order to be successful and that means keeping registration fees as low as possible.
Runners expect a well organized race with water, some food and a nice shirt. If a race cuts corners, runners will notice and may not return the next year.
Recent surveys indicate that experienced runners would rather keep entry fees low and not receive a medal. Many would go without a shirt to keep fees low.
Race directors know this. Some races do not include a shirt with registration and most have eliminated a medal for all runners.
Millions of new 5K runners each year
Each year, millions of people lace up for their first 5K road race. For them every step along the way has been an adventure in the journey to their first race.
We all grew up watching medal ceremonies at The Olympics and The Boston Marathon. Every first time runner wants their personal moment of victory.
The My First 5K medal allows all first time runners to get a special medal for their first race.
First time 5K runners like medals
First time runners have seen the medal ceremonies and felt the excitement. They want to feel that excitement for themselves.
For race directors, providing a medal, keeping fees low and raising funds is a challenge.
Omni Running offers the “MyFirst5K“ medal for your runner
This is a limited edition finisher’s medal designed exclusively for first time 5K runners.
You can order one for your runner or for a group of runners. Just click any image on this page to place your order.
Race directors can add the medal as a registration option for runners. The medal is a great fundraiser with little effort on your part. Race Director Details.
Each medal comes with a bib sticker
Let me know if you have questions.
info at omnirunning.com
