How Colour Printed Wooden Medals Gave First Chance 10K a Bold Finish

The First Chance 10K is known for being fast, flat and a great opportunity for runners to start the year with a strong performance.

Held at Exeter Riverside Valley Park and organised by South West Road Runners, it attracts a mix of runners chasing personal bests and those simply looking for a well-organised 10K to kick off the season.

For the 2026 event, we produced custom colour printed wooden medals with a strong black and yellow design that matched the energy and identity of the race.

The aim was simple: create a medal that felt specific to First Chance 10K rather than something that could belong to any running event.

About First Chance 10K

First Chance 10K takes place at Exeter Riverside Valley Park and is organised by South West Road Runners.

The event is known for its fast, flat and traffic-free route, making it a popular choice for runners looking to test their fitness early in the year.

That positioning is important from a medal design point of view.

This is not a novelty race or heavily themed event. The medal needed to feel clean, bold and clearly connected to a competitive road-running event.

The Design Challenge

The medal needed to do a few things well without becoming overcomplicated.

• Clearly represent the First Chance 10K branding.
• Use colour strongly enough to stand out.
• Remain easy to recognise at a glance.
• Feel appropriate for a fast road race.
• Work well with a contrasting ribbon.

Why Colour Printed Wood Worked

Colour printed wooden medals were a strong fit because the event branding relied on bold black and yellow artwork.

Engraving alone would have created a much more understated result, while colour printing allowed the medal to retain the visual energy of the event.

Why Colour Printing Was Better Than Engraving Here

Engraved wooden medals and colour printed wooden medals each have their place.

For First Chance 10K, colour was a major part of the event identity, so printing made more sense.

The right decision depends on the event, not simply which finish is more elaborate.

The Ribbon Matters Too

The First Chance 10K medal used a contrasting red ribbon, which helped the medal stand out even more.

Ribbon choice is worth thinking about at the same time as the medal artwork because it changes the overall presentation.

Depending on the event, organisers can choose:

• Plain recycled polyester ribbon.
• Foil printed ribbon.
• Full-colour printed ribbon.
• Contrasting colours.
• Matching brand colours.

What Other 10K Organisers Can Learn

First Chance 10K is a good example of keeping the medal design focused.

Not every running event needs an extremely complicated shape or multiple layers.

If the event already has recognisable branding, strong colours and a clear identity, the medal can simply amplify those elements.

Before designing a 10K medal, ask:

• Which colours are most recognisable for the event?
• Does the design need colour or would engraving work better?
• Is the event competitive, themed or community-focused?
• Would a custom shape add anything useful?
• Does the ribbon support the overall look?
• Will the medal still be easy to read from a distance?

Clear decisions early usually produce a cleaner finished medal.

Case Study Summary

The Final Result

The finished First Chance 10K medal gave the race a bold and instantly recognisable award.

The colour printing allowed the event branding to stay strong, while the wooden base gave the medal a different character from a standard imported metal design.

Most importantly, it suited the event: clean, energetic and uncomplicated.

Want to Compare the Medal Options First?

If you are deciding between engraved wood, colour printed wood or slate for your next running event, our sample pack lets you compare the materials and finishes in person.

Planning a 5K, 10K or Road Race?

If you are organising a running event, send us your branding, event date and approximate quantity and we can suggest a medal direction that fits the race.