Custom Race Medals — 3D Die-Cast Finisher Awards for Every Distance, Every Course

From neighborhood 5K fun runs to major city marathons with 40,000 finishers. Zinc alloy die-casting captures the iconic landmarks that define your race — the skyline the runners see at mile 18, the bridge they cross at the halfway point, the course map they studied for months. Runners train for this medal. Make it worthy of the miles. Free design delivered in 24 hours.

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Race Types We Make Medals For — 15 Categories

Every race distance and format has its own medal culture. From the understated elegance of a marathon finisher medal to the gritty, mud-splashed style of an obstacle course race award — we design for the identity of your event.

Marathon

Half Marathon

5K / 10K

Triathlon

Ultra Running (50K,100K,100M)

Trail Running

Obstacle Course Race

Color Run

Turkey Trot

Relay Race

Virtual Race

Ironman 70.3 / 140.6

Spartan Race

Mud Run

Charity Walk / Run

Race Medal Quick Specs — Technical Reference

Specification	Standard	Options / Upgrade
Material	Zinc alloy (Zamak 3, 5, or 7) — 6.7 g/cm³	Brass (8.9 g/cm³) for premium weight; Iron for budget; Aluminum for lightweight
Size (Diameter)	1.75–2.5 inches (44–64mm) — 5K and 10K standard	3–3.5+ inches (76–89mm) for half and full marathon; 4–5+ inches (102–127mm+) for major marathons and ultra events
Thickness	2.5–4mm — standard feel	4–6mm — premium heft for championship-level races
3D Elements	0.1–3mm sculptural relief depth	Deep relief (up to 3mm) for skylines, bridges, and landmark foreground elements; 0.1mm fine texture for building facades and course map streets
Plating Finish	Gold, nickel (silver), copper — mirror or matte	Rose gold, chrome, black nickel, antique gold/silver/bronze, rainbow, two-tone (gold body + nickel skyline)
Enamel Type	Soft enamel — 0.3mm minimum fill width, Pantone matched	Imitation hard enamel (ceramic-smooth surface, +15–25% cost); Glitter enamel; Glow-in-the-dark enamel (night race theme); Translucent enamel
Ribbon	860–900mm × 20–30mm, heat-transfer printed in full color, 4-fold construction	Woven ribbon (textured premium); Sublimated ribbon (photographic quality); 800mm children's length; Custom widths up to 35mm
Variable Data	Laser engraving — runner name, bib number, finish time, age group, ranking	Data imported from timing company Excel/CSV; parallel laser stations for large races (1,000+ personalized medals); QR code engraving linking to race photos
MOQ	100 pieces per design	Volume discounts at 300 / 1,000 / 5,000 / 10,000+; Each distance/design must meet MOQ individually
Production Time	7–15 days after sample approval	Rush: as fast as 7 days (in-stock molds + UV printing); Standard timeline: 24h design → 7–10 days sample → 7–15 days production → shipping
Packaging	Individual clear PP/OPP poly bag — included	Velvet pouch; Gift box with foam insert; Acrylic display case; Custom-printed race-branded card backing — quoted separately

What Makes a Race Medal Worth Training For

After 15 years producing medals for races ranging from 200-runner local 5Ks to 40,000-runner city marathons, these four factors consistently separate the medals runners photograph, share, and keep from the ones that end up in a drawer.

3D Course Maps & City Skylines — The Geography of Achievement

Zinc alloy die-casting at 385°C flows into intricate mold cavities, capturing the architectural details that define your race. The Chicago skyline at the 26-mile mark. The Golden Gate Bridge silhouetted against the bay. The winding streets of the Boston course. Relief depth ranges from 0.1mm (fine building facade texture, street grid lines) to 3mm (prominent landmark foregrounds, bridge structures, mountain backdrops). Runners trace the route with their fingers — the medal becomes a tactile map of their accomplishment. Our mold designers convert your city photos and course maps into 3D sculptural relief using Beijing Jingdiao CNC modeling software. You see the renderings before a single mold is cut. This is the element no flat-stamped or printed medal can replicate — it is the defining feature of a premium race medal.

Finisher Data Laser Engraving — Every Medal, One Runner

Names. Bib numbers. Finish times. Age-group rankings. Personal records. Variable data that transforms a generic finisher medal into a personal trophy. Our laser engraving system reads from the Excel or CSV file your timing company provides. The laser removes a precise layer of plating, exposing the bright zinc alloy beneath for high-contrast, permanent text that will not rub off, fade, or peel. For large races with thousands of personalized medals, we deploy parallel laser stations — each engraving a batch simultaneously — so your entire order completes on schedule. Data formatting, alignment testing, and a proof run of 5-10 samples are included in the setup. The result: every runner receives a medal with their name, their time, and their achievement — permanently marked in metal. This is the single most impactful upgrade you can make to a finisher medal.

Distance Differentiation — A Medal Family Across Race Distances

A 5K finisher and a marathon finisher are not the same achievement. Their medals should reflect that. Our approach: create a design family — same shape language, same design DNA, different sizes and plating for each distance. 5K: 2-inch bronze finish. 10K: 2.25-inch copper. Half marathon: 2.5-inch nickel (silver). Full marathon: 3.5+-inch gold. Ultra distances: 4-inch+ antique gold with deeper relief. Each distance gets its own mold and must meet the 100-piece MOQ individually. The shared design elements across distances keep the family cohesive — runners who complete multiple distances in your event series build a collectible set that spans years. Same ribbon design ties it all together. We will propose a tiered sizing plan as part of your free design — you decide which distance gets which size and finish.

Ribbon Design — The Canvas That Wraps the Medal

The ribbon carries your race identity around every runner's neck. Standard: 860–900mm length (adult sizing) by 20–30mm width, heat-transfer printed in full color, 4-fold construction with a D-ring attachment loop. The ribbon is where your race name, date, tagline, and sponsor logos belong — all included in your quote. Upgrade paths: woven ribbon for a textured, premium feel with deeper color saturation (popular for marathon majors and championship races). Sublimated ribbon for photographic-quality, edge-to-edge full-color graphics — ideal when your race has a striking visual identity or multiple sponsor logos at high resolution. Children's length: 800mm for youth races and kids' fun runs. Dual-sided printing: different designs on each face, or event logo on front with sponsor recognition on back. Ribbon design files are archived alongside your mold — reorder next year and the ribbon matches perfectly.

Customization Options — Features That Make Your Medal Unforgettable

Spinning Center Element

A compass, gear, or race logo that rotates 360 degrees independently from the outer medal body. The spinner mechanism uses a precision rivet post for smooth, durable rotation. Popular for races with a journey or navigation theme. Adds approximately 30-50% per-unit cost due to the second mold piece and assembly labor. Each spinner is hand-assembled and tested for free movement before packaging.

Bottle Opener Function

A stainless steel opener insert riveted into the medal body — our most popular add-on for race medals. The post-race celebration accessory built right into the award. Insert style is more durable than integrated edge style and maintains the medal's aesthetic integrity. Practical, memorable, and used long after race day. Standard stainless steel insert resists corrosion from bottle caps.

Multi-Piece Interlocking

Two or three separate medals that fit together to form one larger image — ideal for race series spanning multiple events or a challenge combining different distances. Each piece is a standalone medal with its own ribbon. When assembled, they reveal a complete design: a city skyline, a course map, or a race series logo. Participants collect pieces across events, driving series registration.

LED Illumination

A flashing LED embedded behind translucent enamel makes your race logo or skyline glow — unforgettable at evening award ceremonies and popular for night runs. The CR2032 battery is integrated into the medal body and is replaceable. Requires minimum 5-6mm medal thickness to house the electronics. Adds per-unit cost for components and assembly. Tested for 48+ hours of continuous illumination.

Dual-Plating Two-Tone

Gold body with nickel (silver) skyline highlights. Or silver body with rose gold landmark elements. Masking during the plating process allows two different metallic finishes on the same medal. The contrast makes both colors stand out more than a monochrome finish. Small per-unit surcharge. This technique is especially effective for medals with distinct foreground and background design elements — the skyline pops in silver against a gold body.

Custom Packaging

Beyond the standard poly bag. Velvet pouches in your race colors for an elevated finisher experience. Gift boxes with custom-cut foam inserts that cradle the medal. Acrylic display cases for age-group winners and overall champions — designed to stand on a shelf or desk. Custom-printed card backing with race branding, sponsor recognition, and a thank-you message. Each packaging option is quoted separately based on quantity and complexity.

Factory-Direct — What That Actually Means for Your Race

No Middleman Markup

Every race medal we produce goes from our Huizhou factory directly to your race — no distributor, no promotional products middleman, no awards shop marking it up 2-3 times. Your per-unit price reflects actual manufacturing cost plus reasonable margin. This is why race directors who order 500+ medals annually switch to us and never go back to domestic resellers. The savings on a 5,000-medal order can fund an extra water station, better race shirts, or a post-race band.

Consistent Year-Over-Year Quality

Your mold is archived. Your Pantone enamel color formulations are archived. Your ribbon design files are archived. Your plating specifications are documented. When you reorder for next year's race — same course, updated date — we retrieve everything. Same skyline detail. Same color accuracy. Same ribbon feel. Same medal weight in hand. The only thing that changes is the year on the engraving. Race directors who have ordered from us for 5+ consecutive years confirm: batch-to-batch consistency is why they stay. Runners who collect your medals year after year notice the difference.

Never Missed a Race Date — 15 Years, Zero Late Deliveries

Mold making, die-casting, polishing, plating, enamel filling, laser engraving, ribbon production, assembly, QC, packaging — all 12 manufacturing steps happen under our roof. When every process is in-house, production timelines are predictable and accountable. One team, one factory, one responsibility. In 15 years of producing race medals, we have never missed a client's race date — not through supply chain disruptions, not through holiday production crunches, not through quality failures requiring remakes. We build buffer into every production schedule. Your medals arrive before packet pickup. Guaranteed.

Race Medal FAQ — Answers From the Factory Floor

How early should we order race medals before our event?

We recommend contacting us 8 weeks before race day. This gives you: 24 hours for free design with 3D renderings, 7-10 days for physical sample production, time to review and approve the sample with your race committee, 7-15 days for bulk production after sample approval, and 5-10 days for air shipping. Total timeline is approximately 5-6 weeks. The extra 2 weeks is buffer for committee review and any design adjustments. If your race is sooner, tell us immediately — we can often accommodate rush timelines using in-stock molds and accelerated production, sometimes completing in as fast as 3 weeks from first contact to delivery.

Can we have different medals for different race distances?

Yes — this is standard practice for events with multiple distances. Each distance gets its own medal design and its own mold. Common approach: same design family with shared shape language, different sizes and plating per distance. For example: 5K gets a 2-inch bronze medal, half marathon gets a 2.5-inch silver medal, full marathon gets a 3.5-inch gold medal. Each design must meet the 100-piece MOQ individually. A race with 200 marathon runners, 500 half runners, and 300 5K runners easily qualifies since each distance exceeds MOQ. We will propose a tiered sizing and plating plan as part of your free design.

What if our participant count changes after we place the order?

We understand race registration numbers fluctuate. Tell us your best estimate when ordering, and we build flexibility into the production schedule. If you need more medals, reorders using the same existing mold take 7-10 days — no new mold needed, just additional production. If you need fewer medals, we adjust the production quantity as long as your batch has not yet entered production. Communicate changes early and we will work with you. Many race directors order 10-15 percent above their current registration count to cover late registrations and avoid rush reorder fees.

Can each medal have the runner's name and finish time on it?

Yes — this is one of our most popular services for race medals. We receive the timing company's Excel or CSV file with runner names, bib numbers, finish times, and age-group rankings. Each medal is individually laser engraved with that runner's specific data. The laser removes a thin layer of plating, exposing the bright zinc alloy underneath for permanent high-contrast text. For large races with thousands of personalized medals, we deploy parallel laser engraving stations to process multiple batches simultaneously and meet your deadline. A proof run of 5-10 sample engravings is included so you can verify data alignment and formatting before full production begins.

What ribbon length and material do you recommend?

Standard adult race ribbon is 860-900mm in length by 20-30mm in width. This fits comfortably over the head and hangs at mid-chest level on most adults. For children's races and youth events, we recommend 800mm length. Standard material is polyester with heat-transfer full-color printing in a 4-fold construction — durable, colorfast, and included in your quote at no extra charge. Upgrade options include woven ribbon for a premium textured feel with deeper color saturation, and sublimated ribbon for edge-to-edge photographic-quality graphics. Both upgrade options are quoted separately based on quantity.

Can you match a medal design from our previous supplier?

Yes — send us photographs of the existing medal from multiple angles, along with any original design files you have (AI, EPS, PDF, or even a clear sketch). Our mold designers reverse-engineer the design elements, relief depth, plating finish, and enamel colors. We match the look, weight, and feel so your race series maintains design continuity year over year. If the previous supplier's quality was inconsistent, we improve the weak points — better plating adhesion, sharper relief detail, more accurate Pantone color matching — while keeping the design recognizable. Most race directors send a physical sample by courier for the most accurate reproduction.

Do you offer a medal preview we can show to our sponsors?

Yes — our free 24-hour design service produces photo-realistic 3D renderings that show exactly how the finished medal will look, including plating finish, enamel colors, relief depth, and ribbon design. These renderings are ideal for presenting to sponsors, sharing with your race committee, and using in pre-race marketing. If you need a physical sample for a sponsor meeting or expo booth, we produce one in 7-10 days after design approval — the actual zinc alloy medal with your plating, enamel, and ribbon. Hold it, photograph it, show it to sponsors. This is your checkpoint before committing to bulk production.

Can you ship medals directly to our race venue or packet pickup location?

Yes — we ship directly to race venues, packet pickup locations, race director addresses, or multiple destinations for events with separate start and finish lines. We ship to over 50 countries with full customs documentation included. Standard shipping is air freight with tracking (5-10 days transit). Express shipping options are available for tight timelines. For large orders, we can split shipments — send one portion to early packet pickup and the remainder to race day venue. Every shipment includes commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. Tell us your shipping requirements in your first message and we will include shipping options and costs in your quote.

Start Your Race Medals Project

Tell us about your race — the distance, the location, your city's iconic landmarks, and how many finishers you expect. We will create a free custom design with 3D renderings and a detailed line-item quote within 24 hours. No obligation. No upfront cost.

Prefer to browse first? Explore medal materials, see our 12-step manufacturing process, or review our design guide.

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