Our 2020 Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half Marathon Medal
As many of you may know, the Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon & Half Marathon is renowned for its signature and creative medals! Each year our design changes to encapsulate a unique design featuring the ocean/beach and a sea animal. In the past we have utilizing what nature so graciously provides us… a sea turtle, a clam shell, a stone crab, a seahorse, a sailfish, to name a few.
A1A Marathon & Half Marathon wins Best Medal in North America in 2014!
A1A Marathon & Half Marathon wins Best Medal in North America in 2013!
Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon Medal Ranks #1 in NORTH AMERICA
The 2010 Finisher Medal enhances the runner’s experience and signifies the “beach” theme of the event in Ft. Lauderdale, “Where the Ocean is Your Finish Line!”
BOCA RATON, FL (June 9, 2011) – The Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon (A1A) 2010 finisher medal is ranked number one among North American marathon medals, according to the May/June 2011 issue of Marathon & Beyond magazine. In Paul Gentry’s article, “Forming a Pearl,” the A1A medal has been recognized for its unique design and efforts to enhance the runner’s experience.
Marathon & Beyond, a 15-year-old, international bimonthly magazine tailored for marathoners and ultramarathoners, conducted the competition with a panel of 22 judges. Marathon & Beyond publisher Jan Seeley said, “11 men and 11 women painstakingly went through an abundance of medal submissions. In the end, it was clear that originality was a key factor in the final results from the panel. Interestingly, ocean and highway themes were the cream of the crop this time around.”
According to Gentry, “A1A was at or close to the top of nearly every ballot. Amusingly, the only difference between their finisher medal compared to other marathons in 2010 was a small hinge.” The design of the medal features a two-part clamshell that opens and is secured by a hinge. The inside of the shells reveal a beach scene and features the race’s title sponsor, Publix Supermarkets. The “hinged” medal concept has become the calling card of the race organizers behind the A1A. “We have raised the bar for ourselves, and the hinge resonated with the runners, so we have incorporated the design into all of our running races,” said Matt Lorraine, CEO of Exclusive Sports Marketing.
This recognition marks the first entry of the Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon into the Top 25 competition. “We are thrilled about this honor,” said Chris Colgan, director of the event. “We feel this recognition puts us on the map within the landscape of the marathon scene. Additionally, winning this competition validates the effort and investment that was put into the design and production of our medal.”
The 7th annual running of the Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon will take place on February 19, 2012. The race is expected to attract 6,000 runners from around the country, looking to escape the winter cold for the sunny and warm confines of South Florida. The “A1A” gets its namesake from the legendary beachfront road of Florida, State Road A1A. The course features a start in downtown Ft. Lauderdale and miles of unobstructed views of the Atlantic Ocean.
About the Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon
The Ft. Lauderdale A1A Marathon is set for the weekend of February 17-19, 2012. This coming year will mark the 7th anniversary. The event is a Boston qualifier that features a fast, flat course run along the Atlantic Ocean, ideal for PRs. The weekend of activities include a 2-day Health & Fitness Expo, 5K Run/Walk, and a 1.2 Miles Kids Fun Run. Local musical acts are featured throughout the course to provide energy and motivation for the runners and walkers. Post-race festivities include a beach concert, food, replenishing beverages, and beer. Additionally, free shuttle service is offered to the finish and start line parking areas. To learn more about the events, sponsoring, training or volunteering, please e-mail Matt Lorraine, Lorraine@exclusivesports.com, or visit www.A1AMarathon.com.
About Marathon & Beyond
Celebrating its 15th year, Marathon & Beyond is an international bimonthly magazine dedicated to long-distance running. Marathon & Beyond subscribers are marathoners and ultrarunners who compete in several long-distance races a year. Subscribers live in all 50 states, all provinces of Canada, more than a dozen European countries, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as places like Africa, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Iceland.