Buzz
You might win a lot, or perhaps you participate in numerous races that hand out finisher’s medals—marathons, half marathons, or themed 5Ks. Eventually, that first prized medal turns into a pile of shiny trophies that end up on your doorknob or cluttering your dresser. Here are a few enjoyable ways to either celebrate or part with those medals.
Donate Them
Medals 4 Mettle welcomes donations of marathon, half-marathon, and triathlon medals. They replace the ribbons with their own and distribute them to individuals, primarily children, facing difficult battles with cancer, chronic illness, trauma, or other life struggles. "These medals are gifted to honor those who must fight a much tougher race than the donors’—one they didn’t choose: a race without a clear finish line."
Create (or Buy) a Dedicated Display Rack
If you’re eager to display all your medals together, consider using a display rack with hooks for medals underneath a fun phrase like “born to run.” Some racks even feature a spot for your race bibs, perfect for those who like to keep the numbers from their runs. A creative twist: racks with a chalkboard, where you can clip your bibs and jot down your personal best times.
Making a medal rack isn’t difficult either. You can repurpose a coat or key rack, or even a towel rod. Simply loop the medal ribbons over the rod. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, attach hooks or nails to a board and personalize it as you wish.
For a special race you want to commemorate—say, your first marathon—consider placing the bib, medal, and any other keepsakes (like a map of the course?) in a shadow box, which is a three-dimensional frame that displays your treasured items.
If you have a home gym, it’s the ideal location to showcase your medals. Use them to inspire you to break those personal records.
Transform Them Into Something New
Attach magnets to the back of your medals, turning them into fridge magnets. This way, they’re always visible, yet still practical. (Just remember to remove the ribbon.) Redditor ChefAaronFitz suggests using neodymium magnets and Gorilla glue. Here’s how it looks when it’s done.
Alternatively, purchase a coaster kit and place the medal inside. This works even with irregularly shaped medals, as long as they fit within the coaster, allowing you to display your medal without taking up any wall space.
If you have a Christmas tree and your medals aren’t too large, replace the ribbon with a hook, transforming them into festive tree ornaments.
