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

Organizers of the Sydney Marathon are taking a branding blunder in stride after a significant error on finisher medals became a trending topic on social media.

“

You may also be aware that a little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers’ medal.

The medals mistakenly feature the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, instead of Sydney's Allianz Stadium, alongside other city landmarks. Organizers addressed the mistake in an Instagram post, acknowledging the "unfortunate error" but noting it had provided "something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour."

“

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.

Despite the engraving mistake, organizers confirmed that the approximately 40,000 runners expected to participate will receive these medals. They described the medals as "beautiful" and now "a little more unique." The error occurred on the reverse side of the medal, where the mistake was etched, while the front side and lanyard artwork were contributed by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian, who clarified he had no involvement in the production of the erroneous side.

“

It’s a beautiful medal, and now a little more unique.

Sydney is serving as the halfway point in the World Major Marathon series this year. Organizers emphasized that regardless of the medal's artwork, every finisher has earned their achievement. "You noticed. We noticed. We're human. See you in Sydney," read a caption accompanying their social media post.

“

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.