London Marathon Recap: Kipchoge Wins His 4th — Medal Design Notes 🏃

Eliud Kipchoge won his 4th London Marathon yesterday in 2:02:38. Beyond the result, the London finisher medal — same basic design since 2003 — is a quiet masterclass in long-term brand consistency.

Same Design, Different Color Each Year

The London Marathon medal silhouette has barely changed in 16 years — but the enamel-fill color rotates annually. Runners who complete multiple Londons line their collections up by color. Consistency in shape + variation in finish creates a stronger collector dynamic than annual full-redesigns.

Heavy Brass Backing Reads Premium

London medals weigh ~140g — heavier than most marathon medals at the same diameter. The brass backing alone signals premium without needing visible branding. For flagship events you produce, brass-cored medals (rather than zinc) cost ~฿35 more per unit but feel like a different category in the recipient hand.