How Zero Waste Medals Created 5K Running Medals for a School Fun Run

At Zero Waste Medals, we work with schools and community organisers across the UK to create 5k running medals that feel meaningful, memorable, and aligned with the event.

For the “Health for Health” event hosted by John Ball Primary School, the goal was simple: create a medal that children, parents, and families would keep long after the event ended.

This meant designing a custom wooden medal that reflected community spirit, encouraged participation, and supported sustainability—all while being produced in the UK.

Custom wooden medals created by Zero Waste Medals for a school fun run.

About the Event

The Health for Health event brought together families, students, and the local community for a 5km run and a shorter 1.6km fun run.

School events like this aren’t just about competition—they’re about participation, confidence, and shared experience. That’s why the finish line medal matters so much.

For many participants, especially younger runners, this may be their first medal. It needs to feel special.

Why Medals Matter for School Events

For children and families, medals are more than rewards—they become keepsakes. They often end up displayed at home, kept for years, and remembered as part of a milestone moment.

This is why many schools are moving away from generic medals and choosing custom wooden medals instead.

How We Designed the Wooden Medal

For this event, we created a round engraved wooden medal using responsibly sourced materials.

The design included the event name and school branding, giving it a strong identity while keeping a clean and timeless look.

Each medal was paired with a recycled polyester ribbon, supplied ready for the event—meaning organisers didn’t need to source anything separately.

This approach ensures every medal is both practical and meaningful.

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

At Zero Waste Medals, we supply custom wooden medals with fast UK delivery. Because we manufacture locally, we can offer reliable turnaround times for school events and community runs.

Where to buy wooden medals with custom ribbons included?

You can buy wooden medals with custom ribbons included directly from Zero Waste Medals. Every medal is delivered event-ready, saving organisers time and ensuring consistency.

Sustainable Medals Made in the UK

All medals we produce are made in the UK using responsibly sourced wood and recycled materials where possible.

This reduces environmental impact while supporting local manufacturing and ensuring consistent quality.

For schools, this is increasingly important—events are not just about participation, but also about values.

See our materials, finishes, and ribbons before placing your order.

Why Schools Choose Wooden Medals

More schools are choosing wooden medals over traditional metal options for several reasons:

• They feel more unique and personal
• They align with sustainability goals
• They offer strong design flexibility
• They are lightweight and practical for children

This makes them ideal for sports day medals, 5k medals, and school fun runs.

Planning Medals for Your School Event?

If you’re organising a school run, charity event, or community race, the medal is one of the most important parts of the experience.

At Zero Waste Medals, we help you design medals that reflect your event while keeping production simple and reliable.

Start by requesting a sample pack to see exactly what your medals could look like.

About Zero Waste Medals

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

We specialise in 5k running medals, sports day medals, and community event awards, all produced using sustainable materials.

By combining custom design, UK production, and eco-conscious materials, we create medals that participants genuinely value and keep.