Some participants of the Surrey International World Music Marathon did not receive a medal due to stock running out. However, organizers are hoping to mail out more medals later this month.
Photograph by: Gord Goble , Surrey NOW
Organizers of the inaugural Surrey International World Music Marathon are addressing concerns from participants who didn't receive medals the day of the run.
While all of the full-marathon runners received medals, about 160 half-marathon runners didn't because organizers ran out. But Elizabeth Model of the Downtown Surrey Business Improvement Association said they've ordered more and will mail them out later this month.
"Being our first year, we had no benchmark to order the medals on," she said, noting that the medals are on a rush overseas order.
The marathon attracted more than 2,100 runners across the five-, 21- and 42-kilometre routes, exceeding the organizers' turnout expectations.
Model said those without medals were emailed Monday advising when the medals should come in. She also said the runners have been very understanding of the situation.
"We expect them the week of October the 24th," she said. "We'll have a quick turnaround in the office and if they want to pick them up, they're welcome to, but we will be mailing all of them out."
She also addressed where funds raised from the marathon's gear check-in will go. The check-in - which accepted voluntary contributions of $2 - collected more than $700 for KidSport, a national organization with a Surrey branch that helps children in financial need afford to participate in organized sports.
Model said future marathons will have more of a fundraising focus and that the board is expecting to pick a designated charity shortly.
"We have our annual general meeting coming up (in November) and that's something we're going to review as part of the registration process for next year," she said.
"We'll keep it in the community, and obviously being a sporting event, we'd like that to go to a sporting endeavour."
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