Finishers of this year’s Miami Marathon were awarded a stunning medal in the form of a stylized sun, but the design posed a few unusual problems. Miami attracts runners from around the US and the world, many of whom flew over to the Magic City to take part. The race organizers foresaw a potential issue here, and warned competitors to stash their prizes safely in their checked baggage after the race to avoid problems at airport security, or have it shipped to their home address.
It turned out their concerns were justified, and at least one runner had their medal taken away before being allowed to board their flight. As Runner’s World explains, Joe Robinson , founder of Detroit running club WeRun313 , ran into trouble while trying to get home.
Don’t take my sunshine away
Miami is famed for its beautiful medals, which are intricate creations with ribbons designed by local artists. This year’s medal hangs on a ribbon created by Nicolas Vasquez, and was inspired by the city’s vibrant flora.