I saw a recent post by @RunningWithSass about her Favorite Race Bling and it got me thinking: Which of my hardware collection do I enjoy the most? I decided to list out my Top 10, because that seemed like a fun way to call out my favorites, but also give some attention to others that I enjoyed for various reasons. Sometimes it is not always about the finish time, rather the experience. Enjoy.
10. Moo-nlight Half Marathon (2011, Davis, CA) Recap
This one makes the list simply because it was my first “night” race and it has a glow in the dark cow on the medal. How cool is that?
9. Ultra Marathon Coasters (Various, Northern Ca.)
These three get lumped together, and yes, they are not “medals,” but they are a symbol of determination and endurance (see bottom left, it reads: “First Ultra Marathon”
8. San Francisco Marathon (2007, San Francisco, Ca.)
I have medals from 2008, 2009, and 2010, but I’ll never forget my first year running this amazing and challenging course.
7. Oakland Running Festival (2012, Oakland, Ca.) Recap
I love how the yellow “pops” on this medal and the prominence of the 26.2 — sorry, that is the artist in me liking the design.
6. Rock n’ Roll Heavy Medals (2010, Various)
If you run several RNR events, you get what they call “Heavy Medals.” In 2010, I ran 3 RNR events (Arizona, Seattle, San Jose) and got these two gems.
5. US Half Combo (2011-12, San Francisco, Ca) Recap 1, Recap 2
These are two medals combined to make one. The “blue” was the 10th anniversary and the “red” one I wore THESE and set my current PR.
4. Big Sur Internation Marathon (Big Sure, Ca) Recap
This race is a must. The scenery is amazing and there is a reason it sells out every single year and is noted as “running on the western edge of the world.”
3. Disneyland Half Marathon (2007, Anaheim, Ca)
Disney medals are the best. This is my first and only, but am anxiously awaiting to get more. I also bought a lapel pin celebrating my first Disney race. The little Mickey moves left to right. “Happiest Race on Earth”
2. New York City Marathon (2010, New York, NY) Recap
Nothing really fancy about this medal… other than it is friggin NYCM! Entered the lottery (back when it was a lottery) and got in on my first try. I was rehabbing an ITB injury, but it didn’t stop me from loving every mile of it.
1. Firenze Marathon (2006, Florence, Italy)
Two things. One: you never forget your first. Two: Florence, Italy.
Which did you like the most?
What is your favorite piece of hardware?
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Impressive bling! So far I’ve only done small races so the medals are usually pretty lame. I’m still in awe of your first marathon. That would be my fav even if it was a piece of cardboard! :)
anything with a cow on it makes me happy—except in the food world, no beef for this girl.
my wedding band?
Ive gots no medals.
Awesome bling you go goin’ on there!
I’d love to do the Disney Half!
Nice accomplishments. And I LOVE that your first race was in Italy. Seriously awesome and unforgettable.
That is some impressive bling!!! Way to go!!
i love getting medals from races! I only have a couple, but I love em! congrats on all yours! they are well deserved!
I think it’s hard to top the cow medal, but racing it Italy is pretty damn cool! Nice collection you have there and I like that there’s a story behind each.
Great collection!! You’ve inspired me to dig through my medals and name my top 10! I don’t have any of those medals yet but if all goes according to plan and I don’t get injured, I’ll have my very own NYC medal on Nov 4th!
The Big Sur medal is my favorite – love the rugged design and leather (!) cord. So cool!!!! I hope to do that one someday, provided I actually enjoy running those longer distances … which I have yet to determine as I train for my first full this fall :)
thanks for the shout out dude!
OMG the cow glows in the dark?? That’s a pretty awesome medal. I would love to run Big Sur one day. Seriously, you are on the edge of the world.
Hope to run Big Sur now that I am on this coast. Wow! Florence sounds amazing… would love to run a overseas marathon. This goes along with one of my recent post’s that Marathon’s are like people. Your never forget your first and Florence, Italy. ;)
What a great post!
I love the Disney medal. I know those races are pricey but I’m totally doing one at some point.
Also, thanks for the Oakland love. OAKTOWN, BABY!
Ohhh! What an awesome idea and a great post!! One of my favorite things about races is seeing the medals at the end. I agree with your first two 100% – NYCM medal is pretty awesome just for what it stands for and if I had a medal from a race in Italy, it would be my #1 =) I have a whole box of my medals – plan is to build something to hang them on =)
I think the Oakland medal would be my favorite – though you have lots of great ones there!
I was going to sign up for the Big Sur International Marathon but I’ve never even ran a 1/2, let alone a 10K. Now its sold out for next year. But I am still considering running the 1/2 marathon in Big Sur, but not sure if it runs along the same route. Plus its in Nov as opposed to April. Hmmm… what do you think?
I think the 1/2 does cover some of the same. The full is glorious tho. If you can, do that one. Go for the entire experience and enjoy it. It sells out ridiculously fast now and the entry field is capped to be really low on purpose. Novemebr and April will both be cool, so you should be fine. Either way, you’ll love it.
nice collection sir! That music note one from RNR is my fav I think. but im a sucker for anything music related so that probably comes as no surprise ;)
i just asked the same question on my blog yesterday :) the only one(s) i have the same as you: Big Sur and the heavy medal RNRs. BIg Sur is one of my favs. along with Wineglass Marathon and the Oak Barrel 1/2 marathon. Oh, and maybe the mercedes 1/2 marathon. I obviously suck at making up my mind :)
You have a super duper collection of medals. OMG. Also entered your giveaway.
I am totally one of those weirdos that doesn’t even save medals :) Well, I do, but i just shove them in a drawer somewhere and never find them again. Is that bad?! I feel like I need a rack or something, then maybe I’d treat them better!
Build your own. Here is how I built mine: http://pavementrunner.com/diy-medal-bib-holder/
Nice bling! So far my only bling is the Spartan
ya, but you are about to get a Tiffany Necklace put around your neck by a firefighter in a tuxedo…
True, I hope it’s not the first…medal :)
Did anyone else read that as my Top 10 Favorite Meals? Hahaha.
Oooh Florence! LOVE LOVE LOVE! My hubby and I did an Italy trip last fall and I brought my sneakers. It seemed like Florence had a great running culture. What an awesome Marathon! Putting that one on my bucket list!
I truly love that cow medal :D
I’ve only got 7 medals – so I guess they all make it in my top 10!!! Love the Italy one and Big Sur.
So jealous of Firenze. I have only ever been out of the country, for one week, a dozen years ago, to Florence. I was offered a job and seriously contemplated dropping out of college and moving there. I bet the marathon is amazing!
Neat to hear your top 10! I’ve never run a full marathon (come close on my own for fun!) and would LOVE to do Big Sur…guess at some point I need to commit and sign up! But I love the location, the feel of the race (from what I’ve read), and reading about it on your blog makes me realize I’ve got to make it happen at some point… Great idea for a post!
Can’t wait to get a NYCM medal of my own next year, I’m looking forward to running it! Cool top 10!
Never underestimate the bling! Great round-up. I love my one and only marathon medal, but I’m looking forward to some funkier bling over the next few years.
Ah – I’m partial to the Disney medal. My fave medal is my Gasparilla one from last year. The ribbon is NIke. Sad story, I ran from 2007-2009 and threw away all medals except my full marathon one. Even a “heavy” medal.
The cow is adorable, but I have to agree: Disney medals are amazing! Any plans to do anymore Disney races?
Great medals! The ultra coasters are a pretty cool idea. And I agree — your medal from your first race is almost always a favorite!
Great top ten! Hope to add NYC and Big Sur to my collection!
Nice bling! my personal fav is my Hood to coast finisher bling ! also my first overseas race…
soon my second for a 1/2 marathon