Charitable organisers are accused of “woke tokenism” by selling’sustainable invisible medals.
The metal alloy medals are usually awarded to runners who complete the Leigh-on-Sea 10km race in Essex.
But the town’s Striders running club, which organises it, said that for its next event on January 2 – with 650 runners – ‘our unique medals will be invisible’.
Finishers will receive sports shop vouchers but one participant, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Runners love getting a T-shirt and a medal at the end of an event – it’s one of the traditions of running events.
“This seems like a little bit of wake tokenism to my ears.”
Another commented, “The idea of being sustainable is good.” But runners, like me, do love a medal.’
Metal alloy medals usually go to the runners that complete the Leigh-on-Sea’s 10km run. But the town’s Striders running club, which organises it, said that for its next event on January 2 – with 650 runners – ‘our unique medals will be invisible’ (file photo)
Organiser Dean Ovel admitted the move was controversial but said the club no longer wanted to use metal medals made in – and shipped from – China.
Covid-19 caused the cancellation of the event in 2020.
Last month’s scheduled run of the year was to be held, however it was affected by the pandemic.
This will happen January 2, with 650 participants.
The club’s website revealed the runners, who will cover three loops of Leigh-on-Sea, will have to wear environmentally-unfriendly headtorches, which run on batteries, ‘because, to add a little more uniqueness, our race is held after sunset’.
According to Mr Ovel, “Rather than the metal medals made in China and shipped from China, we have abandoned that controversially.”
We want the runners to feel that they are doing something worthwhile, and not just hanging up on a wall.
Finishers will receive sports shop vouchers but one participant, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Runners love getting a T-shirt and a medal at the end of an event – it’s one of the traditions of running events’ (file photo)
“We are hoping to gift a voucher for RunActive. They can then spend the voucher in the store or online.
Leigh-on-Sea Striders announced the new awards in a statement. Among many other things, they stated that after 11 years, “we are now taking a more sustainable approach” and their unique medals would be virtually invisible.
“Instead we will have something that is a bit more useful for all who cross the line.”
The run, which has raised more than £30,000 for charities since it was first held, will support Cardiac Risk in the Young and Southend Hospital this year.