Sydney Marathon organisers not running away from ‘unfortunate’ medal error

Organisers of the Sydney Marathon have taken a major branding error in their stride after an engraving mistake on the race medals inadvertently became a trending topic on social media.

The error was first pointed out when the medal was unveiled earlier this week, featuring the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, etched onto the hardware instead of Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, alongside major landmarks that the participants will encounter on the course.

“You may also be aware that a little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers’ medal,” the organisers said in a post on their Instagram account.

“We’re not going to run from it. It was an unfortunate error, though it’s certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour.”

Some 40,000 runners are expected to take part in the event on August 30, which organisers said was shaping up to be the “biggest and best”.

The course start line celebrates the “heritage” of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games marathon before participants run past other major landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Centennial Park, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and a finish at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

Organisers confirmed that with the event one week away, these would be the medals that finishers receive. “It’s a beautiful medal, and now a little more unique.”

“Whether it’s a first marathon or a seventh Major, every person who crosses that line has earned something no detail in the artwork could ever take away,” the organisers said on social media.