As you may have noticed from yesterday’s post, Chris has started running! I am super excited about this and have already given myself the title of his biggest supporter! Not only has he started running but he has also decided that he is ready to take on his first 5k! Woot!
One of the things that Chris is looking for in his first 5k is a shiny finisher’s medal to commemorate the occasion. There is just one problem with that. Most 5k races do not have finisher medals. 
Take a look at my medal rack.
Not counting the mud / obstacle races, only one of those medals came from a 5k.
Interestingly when Chris Googled “5k races with finisher medals” the results produced threads from various online communities about this topic and many of the commenters were against 5k races having finisher medals. Many of them made comments to the effect that they felt finisher medals for 5k races is an insult to real runners. Yes, you read that right. An insult to real runners.
I was shocked and angered by those statements and elitist attitudes. First of all, what makes someone a real runner? I most certainly consider myself to be a real runner. I also consider a beginner runner like Chris to be a real runner. For me a real runner is anyone who laces up their shoes and goes for a run, no matter how slow or fast they may be, whether they run outside or on a treadmill, whether they race or don’t race and whether they run 1 mile or 50 miles.
As a real runner, one of the things I look for in a race is a finisher’s medal. I see it as something that I will have forever to remind me of my experience and accomplishment. Some might argue, that the participant shirt is a great race souvenir but I see it as something that I will eventually get rid of. I would never get rid of the medal.
In general, I find the running community to be a very supportive and accepting community so I know that the elitist attitudes displayed by those commenters are in the minority but I want to hear what you think about this. How do you feel about finisher medals at 5k races? And what do you think makes someone a real runner?
@WarriorBetsy I’ll be getting this Sunday for my 5k but I’ve never received one in the past for a 5k. First time. http://t.co/BS3I6Qkj5O
I have never received a medal for a 5K, but when I first started running I would have been super happy to get one! 3.1 miles is a long way for beginners and some veteran runners can do it in under 15 minutes! It’d be a great idea to give out 5K medals (although I’m ok with not having one)
I agree and besides I like collecting bling!
I can’t stand that elitist attitude. The running community should encourage running at all levels. As for medals at a 5k, it doesn’t bother me at all. I personally don’t seek out races with medals for 5k. They have higher race fees and its not worth it to me. But that’s not to say it isn’t worth it to anyone. For his 1st 5k, a medal is a great keepsake.
Couldn’t agree more!
A medal is a medal. Although I wouldn’t expect one I think it’s a great idea and may just get a few more people out running.
It never hurts to have an extra incentive to get out there!
I wish more 5ks had finisher medals – it’s a nice token to take home with you and I’d rather have that than some crappy tshirt I’ll never wear!
Exactly!
Agree
Hell if the “real” runners feel that way, then I would beg to argue that NO ONE deserves a finishers medal ever, unless they win. Like in the Olympics, only top 3 get medals.
Needless to say, I completely agree with you! If you don’t want a medal, don’t take one!
That’s a good point!
All I want is a bright shiny new medal. I would never wear one of those ugly bright orange shirts with McDonalds and Chase bank logos plastered all over it. You cant frame that and hang it on your wall …well you could but it would be freaking expensive and tacky as hell.
But you keep everything!
I’ll wear your shirt and you’ll earn yourself a medal.
I have run several 5ks with no medals, would be cool though!! For some people a 5k is one of their biggest accomplishments! No one should be degraded for getting off of the couch, rewards are much better incentives! To hell with those snotty “real runners”, let them pat themselves on the back and us REAL runners will compliment each other no matter the distance or time!
I agree with you Jessica!
Running makes someone a runner
Exactly!
First off, I love love your medal hanger! I’m planning to get mine soon. My medals badly need a nice hanger for display.
About the comment, that’s just not right. There’s no universal benchmark to determine a “real” runner. Weather you run for an hour daily, 10 minutes daily, 1 mile-10 miles, 5k, 10k, you are still running. I think, medals should also be given at 5k races. It is an accomplishment. But I don’t mind getting free T-shirts only! I love freebies!
Thanks! I love my medal display, I got it from Allied Medal Displays, they are awesome! And I agree with you wholeheartedly!
Eh. Ignore people. I love 5k medals- but look at them as a treat. Like you said, it’s hard to find a medal for a 5k.
Another option to look into is virtual races. A lot of those are doing medals nowadays.
I have noticed that trend!
I agree with you 100%. If you are moving faster than a walk, you are a runner. If you sign up for a race that makes you even MORE of a runner. I wish more 5ks had medals (triathlons too – that’s another place where usually only winners/age groupers get medals, which pisses me off because they are HARD). Maybe someday race organizers will figure this out. Even if they charge a couple more bucks, I’d rather get a medal than a tshirt.
I didn’t realize that triathlons don’t normally have finishers medals. That’s CRAZY! Those are some serious races!
When you start adding medals to a race of any distance, you drive up the cost. It’s already expensive enough to do races, so if you add $5 to a 5k, I start getting into what I’m paying per mile. You pay for what you get though — course, support on the course (such as water), location, swag. I’d much rather pay $20 to do a 5k and get nothing. But if I’m paying $30 and up, I care more about getting a great shirt that I’ll wear again.
Personally, I’d love to see races get more unique in finisher and age group awards. Hats, mugs, socks.
The “real runner” discussion annoys me. It’s much easier to ignore than to get wrapped up into a debate with others. Someone told me during a #runchat that “real runners” don’t listen to music when they run. OK. Sure. Whatever. Running is much better when not worrying about people like that.
Yes, I agree those type of people should be ignored and more unique finisher awards would also entice me to sign up for a race! And I totally understand about race costs, I need to get a 2nd job to support my habit! lol
I just ran my very first 5k ever at the age of 44 last November at the Detroit Turkey Trot and I thought it was awesome to receive a medal. The shirt was very cool but I agree the shirt will eventually wear out the medal will last forever! I’m running my second 5k this weekend at Corktown, can’t wait. I would be doing it whether it had a medal or not. The fact that it does is just a bonus! I was recently wondering if I can consider myself a runner now?
Awesome! Congrats! And you are most definitely a runner. Have fun at the race this weekend. I’m jealous, they have an awesome finishers medal.
My local running store has two 5k’s (christmas and st.paddy’s) and you get a medal for each one. I think its a shame that these “great” runners are so condescending to those who run shorter distances. I agree with others, I dislike that you get a crappy cotton shirt that you likely will never wear, I would love a tech tee haha. I am okay without a medal but to say that some people don’t deserve them because of the distance is crap.
Couldn’t agree more, friend.
If you run, you’re a runner and I think its great for 5Ks to offer medals. There are likely many who are only able to complete the 5K distance for whatever reason (physical reasons, time available to commit to training, etc) and they deserve something for their work just as a marathoner.
Absolutely agree!
I don’t really care for medals- so I’m the wrong one to ask (they just end up stuffed in a box or drawer). If it drives up the cost of the race, I’m against it. But the “real runner” debate is tired. If you run, you are a runner. No matter what your motivation is – for getting in shape, for bling, for bragging rights, or even to win.
I can understand the cost factor and I agree about your feelings about runners!
I’ve never done a 5k so I can’t say anything about the medals. A race is a race though. Everyone deserves a medal no matter what the distance.
Couldn’t agree more!
I think a “real” runner is someone who goes out & tries their hardest. I may not be the fastest runner out there, but I can guarantee you that I’m trying my hardest. You have to hand it to anybody who at least tries & makes an effort.
As for finishers medals at a 5k…I think it’s GREAT!!! I did a 5k on Valentine’s weekend and I was actually surprised to get a finishers medal. I agree with you though. I’d rather get a finishers medal than a shirt.
Well said, Ara!
I Agree! I also enjoy the 5K races and since I am still a bit of a beginner I am not yet comfortable with the 10K races which do have medals more often. I feel it is almost more offensive to us, the runners who do the 5K’s, to say we aren’t “good enough” or “worth” a medal for a 5K. Don’t we work just as hard? Not to mention.. we’re paying to run a race when normally we could just run that route for free? So yea, I’d not only like something to commemorate that event (as i also agree that a shirt will eventually get thrown away) but also make it worth spending the $30-$50 to participate in it.
I agree 100%!
I couldn’t agree with you more. If you run, at all, you are a runner. No one should try and take that away from you. Just because 13.1 if a more difficult challenge, doesnt mean a 5K for most is a challenge in itself and they should be rewarded just the same!
Agreed!
Not everyone is a “runner” as defined by some “runners”. Anyone that gets out their and moves their body is a “runner” – it is not an exclusive group. There are many people (especially those us over 50 folks) that participate in races for a variety of reason – many because they overcame a serious medical condition and want to be healthy and celebrate their gift of life. It warms my heart to see a variety of people participating in these races.
I do 5K walk/runs because I am a pulmonary embolism survivor, and while I may not be an elite runner – the simple fact that I can participate is a victory for me. So yes a finisher medal would be great, it reminds me of what I was able accomplish. Medals are mere dollars (cheaper than the shirts that are given out) and are probably more appreciated than the shirts – I agree shirts will end up in the donation pile.
If the true “runners” out their need to have a bigger medal for their ego then go for it – give them a different medal, but acknowledging all participates should be a given.
Congrats Jill, that is awesome! And I couldn’t agree more. I love that runners are such a diverse group!
Medals are great! But sometimes I feel that if they give you a number bib that’s also a good thing to take home.
I just recently started saving my bibs and I wish I would have done it from the beginning because you are right, they do make great keepsakes!
I would probably run more 5k races if they had finisher’s medals,,Its a great incentive and furthermore who cares about the”REAL RUNNERS” anyway.It is simply a reward for all the miles of hurt and pain leading up to the race
I agree!
I agree too. I have exercise induced asthma/reactive airway. I’d love to work to a half or full marathon someday, but right now a 5K is a big deal for me. For my TKD black belt test, part of the test was a 2 mile timed run (under 18 minutes is the prescribed test time). I was ecstatic when I came in around 17 minutes, and more so when I did it jogging with minimal speed walking mixed in. Runners are runners. Even with my eia I still love running. Sick of the elitist attitudes in any hobby anymore. As long as people make an effort to get out there and actually run, why not? For some even something as small as a 5K is a big deal. People need to lose their egos and arrogance. I’d pay a little extra on an entry fee to get some bling
I know exactly how you feel! I have exercise induced asthma as well. Congrats on your 17 minute 2 miler, that is great!
A great race your son might like is the Glow Run 5K.. they do give you medals from what I have read and would be a lot of fun for him.
I will have to check it out, thanks!