Medals are one of the most important symbols of the marathon – the reward every finisher receives, and a lasting memory of the distance conquered and the effort along the course. For the 42nd edition of the Wizz Air Sofia Marathon, two types of medals have been prepared: one for all participants in the 5 km race on October 11, and the colorful medal for those running the classic 42 km, as well as the 21 km and 10 km distances on October 12. This year, for the first time, we entrusted the creation of the medals to the Bulgarian company Medal.bg, which put in great effort and inspiration to craft these beautiful awards. More about the process and the philosophy behind them is shared by Georgi Dimitrov from Medal.bg.

Tell us a little more about Medal.bg – when did you start, for which countries besides Bulgaria do you create medals, and what kind of events are they usually for?
Medal.bg was founded in 2022 with the idea of creating medals that don’t just mark the finish line but tell a story. Our goal is for every medal to be a personalized symbol of achievement and emotion. For now, we mainly produce medals for Bulgarian sporting events. We work closely with many federations, associations, and organizers of sports and educational events, as well as corporate events. For us, it is important not just to manufacture, but to create something meaningful for every event.

Give us some “behind the scenes” details about the medals – what elements do they include and what do they symbolize?
The medal for this year’s Wizz Air Sofia Marathon 5K was specially designed to combine the feeling of movement, dynamism, and the spirit of Sofia. Dynamic lines and structures were used to highlight the effort and the journey of the participants. The shape and relief were chosen so that the medal would be memorable and worthy of every finisher.

How will the engraving at the finish line work? Tell us where it will take place and how the process happens.
This year, participants will be able to personalize their medal with on-site engraving, right after the finish. The Medal.bg booth will be located in the EXPO zone. There we will offer laser engraving – usually with the participant’s name and official time. The process takes only a few minutes and is completely safe for the medal itself. This is our way of making the award even more special and valuable. The engraving service costs 10 BGN and can also be paid by card.

What brings you the greatest satisfaction when you see a finisher receiving your medal?
Undoubtedly – the smile and emotion in the participants’ eyes when they receive their medal. For us, the greatest recognition is being part of that moment – knowing that the medal we created will forever remain as a memory of perseverance, willpower, and victory. We see how people take photos of it, proudly share it with their loved ones – and that gives us huge motivation to continue with even more dedication.

What would you wish all participants in the 42nd Wizz Air Sofia Marathon?
We wish every participant a strong start, a steady pace, and an inspiring finish! Be proud of yourselves – regardless of the distance you run. The very fact that you are part of this event places you among those who are not afraid to challenge themselves. Good luck to all – and we’ll be waiting for you at the finish line!