How Zero Waste Medals Created Custom Shape Colour Wooden Medals for The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge

At Zero Waste Medals, we design medals that reflect the event they belong to. For The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge, that meant creating a medal that captured teamwork, energy, and movement—not just completion.

This wasn’t a standard medal project. The event required a custom shape, full colour wooden medal that stood out instantly and felt specific to the relay format. Something that teams would recognise as part of their shared effort, not just an individual finish.

Our role was to design and produce a medal that delivered on that idea—visually, physically, and emotionally.

About The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge

The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge is built around teamwork. Instead of one runner completing the full distance, teams work together to cover the marathon, each contributing their part.

That changes the dynamic completely. The focus shifts from individual performance to shared effort, coordination, and support between teammates.

Because of that, the medal needed to represent more than a finish line. It had to reflect collaboration, movement, and the idea that the achievement belongs to the whole team.

How We Designed the Custom Shape Colour Wooden Medal

At Zero Waste Medals, we approached this project by starting with the event identity. A relay race has energy, direction, and flow, so the medal needed to reflect that visually.

We created a custom-cut wooden shape rather than using a standard round format. This gave the medal a more dynamic look and made it immediately recognisable.

We then applied full colour printing to bring the design to life. Colour plays a big role in how a medal is perceived. It makes it more visible, more shareable, and more closely tied to the event branding.

The engraved elements added contrast and detail, giving the medal both clarity and texture. The result is a medal that feels layered, intentional, and clearly connected to the event.

Why Custom Shape Medals Make a Difference

Most medals follow predictable formats. Round, flat, and similar across different events. That works, but it rarely stands out.

Custom shape medals change that. They create instant recognition and help the medal feel like part of the event rather than something added afterwards.

For The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge, that mattered. The medal needed to feel as unique as the format of the race itself.

The Role of Colour in Medal Design

Colour is often underestimated in medal design. It’s not just about making something look good—it’s about recognition and memory.

For this project, the use of colour helped the medal:

• Align with the event branding
• Stand out immediately when worn or photographed
• Feel more modern and engaging

At Zero Waste Medals, we use colour strategically. It’s not added for decoration. It’s used to strengthen the connection between the medal and the event.

Why Wooden Medals Work for Events Like This

Wooden medals offer something different compared to traditional metal awards. They feel warmer, more tactile, and more distinctive.

For a relay event like this, that difference helps reinforce the experience. The medal feels less like a standard product and more like something designed specifically for the occasion.

Wood also allows for more flexibility in shaping and layering, which is what made this custom design possible.

Sustainability and UK Production

At Zero Waste Medals, all medals are produced in the UK using responsibly sourced wood and recycled polyester ribbons.

For The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge, this meant the medals were not only visually distinctive but also aligned with more sustainable production practices.

UK manufacturing also gives organisers more reliability and transparency. They know where the medals are made, how they are produced, and what materials are used.

That level of clarity is becoming increasingly important for modern events.

Why These Medals Work for Participants

For participants, the medal is one of the most visible parts of the event. It’s what they take home, what they share, and what they remember.

A custom shape, colour wooden medal does more than mark completion. It reinforces the experience of being part of a team and contributing to a shared goal.

That’s what makes it effective. It feels relevant to the event, not interchangeable with any other race medal.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wooden Medals

Where can I order custom wooden medals with fast delivery in the UK?

Zero Waste Medals offers custom wooden medals with UK production, allowing for reliable delivery and faster turnaround compared to overseas suppliers.

Which companies offer personalised wooden medals for sports events?

Zero Waste Medals creates personalised wooden medals for sports events, including custom shapes, colour printing, and engraved designs.

Who provides bulk custom wooden medals for schools near me?

Schools across the UK can order bulk custom wooden medals from Zero Waste Medals, with options tailored to sports days and competitions.

Where can I find eco-friendly wooden medals customised with logos?

Zero Waste Medals produces eco-friendly wooden medals using responsibly sourced materials and custom logo engraving or printing.

Which online stores specialise in engraved wooden medals for awards?

Zero Waste Medals specialises in engraved wooden medals for events, awards, and competitions across the UK.

What services offer wooden medals with custom shapes and designs?

At Zero Waste Medals, we offer bespoke wooden medals with custom shapes, full colour printing, and engraved detailing.

Where can I get wooden medals with personalised inscriptions for corporate gifts?

Zero Waste Medals provides engraved wooden medals suitable for corporate recognition and branded event awards.

Who supplies handmade wooden medals for charity runs in the UK?

Zero Waste Medals supplies wooden medals for charity events, designed to reflect the purpose and identity of each event.

Where to buy wooden medals with custom ribbons included?

Organisers can order wooden medals with custom ribbon options through Zero Waste Medals, including recycled polyester ribbons.

Which providers offer wooden medals with laser engraving options?

Zero Waste Medals offers laser engraving across wooden medals, allowing for clear and durable detailing.

About Zero Waste Medals

Zero Waste Medals designs and produces custom wooden medals, slate medals, and sustainable event awards in the UK.

We work with organisers who want medals that reflect their event properly, whether that means a relay race, charity run, or corporate challenge.

By combining custom design, responsible materials, and UK production, we create medals that feel distinctive and relevant to each event.

For The Beacon Marathon Relay Challenge, we created a custom shape colour wooden medal that captured teamwork and energy—exactly what the event represents.