29 Jun Bespoke Recycled Metal Medals in Ireland — The Medieval Marathon 2026
There’s a moment at every finish line that makes all the training worth it: the weight of a medal placed around your neck. At Swift, we design and make bespoke recycled metal medals that earn that moment — and we’re proud to announce we’re now bringing them directly to events, clubs and charities across the Republic of Ireland
What makes a bespoke recycled metal medal special
A bespoke metal medal is built from your event up — not pulled from a catalogue. Every one we produce is custom-designed, die-cast in raised 3D relief, and finished by hand. The result is a keepsake with genuine heft and detail that a printed medal simply can’t match. What sets ours apart is the material. Our metal medals are die-cast from recycled zinc, so your finishers get a premium, weighty award without the environmental cost of virgin material. For runners and supporters who care about the planet as much as the podium, it’s a medal they can feel good about keeping.
Every bespoke recycled metal medal can include: A fully custom shape, cut to your event’s design Raised 3D relief sculpting for a premium, tactile finish A choice of antique finishes — silver, gold, bronze, black nickel Colour enamel detailing matched to your brand; a full-colour sublimation-printed (or woven) ribbon to complete the set
The Medieval Marathon finisher medal in antique silver — bespoke, made from recycled zinc.
A closer look: the Medieval Marathon, Kilkenny
Our recent Medieval Marathon medals are a perfect example of what’s possible. The brief called for something that felt like a piece of history — fitting, because the event is set in Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s great medieval cities. The design is steeped in that heritage. A knight stands in raised 3D relief, sword in hand, with a castle rising behind him — a nod to Kilkenny Castle, the Norman stronghold that has watched over the city for more than 800 years. An ornate fleur-de-lis border and a banner-style “Medieval Marathon” header complete the piece, die-cast from recycled zinc, finished in antique silver and paired with a full-colour sublimation-printed ribbon. It’s the kind of medal people display rather than drawer away. At a substantial 80mm across and 5mm thick, it has real presence on the ribbon. And like every bespoke piece we make, it began life as a detailed 3D sculpt — every contour of the knight, the castle and the fleur-de-lis border modelled in raised relief before a single medal is cast, so the depth and detail carry all the way through to the finished antique-silver award.
The Medieval Marathon finisher medal — 80mm of antique-silver relief, featuring Kilkenny Castle.
Holding one in your hand, you understand why this event is expected to sell out. This is an event with real ambition behind it. Led by race director Vincent Guthrie, the Medieval Marathon has been built to celebrate Kilkenny’s medieval heritage at every turn — and we were proud to partner with Vincent and the team to create a finisher’s medal worthy of the occasion. Running the Medieval Marathon in Kilkenny? The 2026 race takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026, with four distances to suit every runner — 10K, Half Marathon, 30K and Full Marathon (entries from €30). Places are still live, but with several distances already filling fast, don’t leave it late.
Sign up here » https://in.njuko.com/medieval-marathon
Now delivering across the Republic of Ireland
Ireland has always been close to home for us. Our founder Chris Dolan’s family hails from County Leitrim, and we’ve now opened an EU office to support the running and charity sectors across the Republic of Ireland directly. This matters for practical reasons as well as sentimental ones. With our EU base, Irish event organisers can order bespoke medals without the customs delays, import duties or post-Brexit paperwork that can complicate cross-border orders — and for these first events, Chris is delivering the medals in person. It’s our way of building real relationships with Irish clubs and charities, not just shipping a box and hoping for the best. If you’re organising a race, fun run, sportive or fundraising event anywhere in Ireland, you now have a dedicated medal partner who genuinely understands the community — and who’ll go the extra mile (sometimes literally) to get it right.
Who we work with in Ireland
We supply bespoke recycled metal medals and event merchandise to: Running events and race directors — from 5Ks to ultras Charities and hospices — fundraising walks, runs and challenge events Schools, PTAs and clubs — sports days, colour runs and club championships Sportives and mass-participation events — where the finisher medal is part of the experience Whatever the size of your event, we’ll help you create an award your participants will be proud to wear.
How it works
Working with us is simple and personal: Tell us about your event — your theme, numbers, budget and timeline Our design team creates your medal — we send visuals for you to approve before anything goes into production We produce and quality-check — die-struck, finished and inspected to our standard We deliver — now including in-person delivery for our Irish customers From first sketch to finish line, you’ll have a real person guiding every step
Frequently asked questions
Do you deliver bespoke medals to the Republic of Ireland? Yes. With our new EU office, we deliver across the Republic of Ireland — without the customs or import-duty complications of cross-border orders. For our first Irish events, we’re delivering in person. Are recycled metal medals good quality? Absolutely. Our medals are die-cast from recycled zinc and finished to the same premium standard as any bespoke metal medal — raised 3D relief, hand-applied antique finishes, optional colour enamel, and full-colour sublimation-printed ribbons. The recycled material is about sustainability, not compromise. Can I get a completely custom design? Yes — every medal we make is bespoke. Our inhouse design team works from your theme and brand to create something unique, and you approve the visuals before production begins. What’s the minimum order? Get in touch with your numbers and we’ll advise — we work with events of all sizes, from small club runs to large mass-participation events.
Ready to create your event medal?
Whether your event is in Ireland, the UK, across the EU or anywhere else in the world, we’d love to help you create a bespoke recycled metal medal your finishers will treasure. We design, make and supply bespoke event medals globally. Get a quote today — tell us about your event, and we’ll take it from there. Swift Event Supplies — eco medals, designed and made to be earned.
Planning a Running Event or mass participation event in 2026 or 2027?
Get in touch with the Swift Event Supplies team to discuss your bespoke recycled metal medal requirements. We are already taking bookings for 2026 and 2027 events.
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