When choosing your next marathon, everyone has their own priorities.
For some, it’s all about the stunning views along the course.
For others, it’s the medal waiting at the finish line.
If you find yourself firmly in the second group, then you’re in the right place.
At Badges And Medals, we know a thing or two about what kind of medals leave a lasting impression, having made thousands for marathons across the globe.
In this article, we’re showcasing six of the most striking marathon medals in Australia and taking a look at what makes their designs so special.
Although the medals on this list have already been awarded, the races behind them are known for raising the bar year after year.
So, if you're looking for your next marathon challenge, these events are definitely worth watching.
Best Australian marathon medals:
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Cadbury Marathon Medal
A recent Cadbury Marathon medal. CREDIT: Lee Mouzee
What could be better than crossing the finish line and getting rewarded with free chocolate?
Well, how about a medal that celebrates chocolate?
True to form, the Cadbury Marathon always gives runners a sweet reminder of their hard work, both in terms of the medals you take home and the goodies you get at the finish line.
Last year, marathoners received a medal that looked like a chocolate bar, blending Cadbury’s iconic purple branding with a fun, unique concept.
The "chocolate" part of the medal was three-dimensional, giving it that extra touch of realism.
Medals like this aren't common, making it a great addition to your collection… so long as no one mistakes it for the real thing!
When: Sunday 11th January, 2025
Location: Cadbury Chocolate Factory, TAS
Price: $95 to $110, depending on when you enter
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Brisbane Marathon Medal
This year's Brisbane Marathon medal. CREDIT: Yifei Yang
Every part of the Brisbane Marathon medal works together to tell a story.
Your eye starts at the cut-out, then drops down to the detailed depiction of the Story Bridge, right at the medal's centre.
The cut-out makes the bridge feel like the main focus - just like it is in real life, with the bridge being the most iconic part of the marathon route, crossed twice by every runner.
The medal doubles down on this by using a clever but subtle feature: background shapes.
You might not have noticed it at first, but the centre of the medal is shaped to look like it's coming from a book.
(This is the same area that's covered in bold, bright colours.)
This book shape is a nod to the 'story' in Story Bridge, tying together the race, the landmark, and a bit of Brisbane's personality.
When: Sunday 1st June, 2025
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Price: $180 to $240, depending on when you enter
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Australian Outback Marathon Medal
This year’s Australian Outback Marathon medal. CREDIT: Australian Outback Marathon
Does it get more Australian than this?
The bold colours on the Australian Outback Marathon medal are a not-so-subtle nod to one of Australia's three official flags: the Australian Aboriginal flag.
On it are blacks, yellows, reds, and whites.
The red is used to colour the land, symbolising the iron-rich earth of central Australia, which gives Uluru its famous "red" hue.
Yellows and blacks are used to colour everything else on the design, including one colour for each runner, showing that the race is for everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from.
Last year’s Australian Outback Marathon medal. CREDIT: Leoni Dwyer
The medal also takes inspiration from traditional Aboriginal art in the form of bright, colourful dots.
These dots aren’t just decorative - they tie the race to the area's Aboriginal caretakers.
The ribbon, too, carries these dots, making sure the whole medal design feels seamless.
All of these features seem to stick out thanks to several strategically-placed cut-outs, which help add depth to the medal.
Anyone who sees this medal in your collection will instantly understand the story it tells about the Australian Outback, the race, and its connection to the land and people.
When: Saturday 26th July, 2025
Location: Uluru, NT
Price: $1150 to $7845, depending on your accommodation choice
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Melbourne Marathon Medal
What sets the Melbourne Marathon medal is its intricate details.
On the front, you’ll find a sunken design of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, viewed from above.
This is the iconic spot where runners complete their final lap, making it a fitting centrepiece for the medal.
Flip it over, and you’ll see another nod to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, this time through the artwork The Gathering Circle.
The piece was created by Simone Thomson.
As a Woi-Wurrung Wurundjeri and Yorta-Yorta Traditional Owner, Simone’s design honours the Wurundjeri people, the traditional custodians of the land where the Melbourne Cricket Ground now stands.
Using traditional Aboriginal symbols, The Gathering Circle tells the story of how the cricket ground, as the finishing line of the marathon, brings people together.
In Simone's own words, posted to the Melbourne Marathon website: "The central circle represents the Sun, the giver of life.
“The sun symbolises health and wellbeing and signifies the [Melbourne Cricket Ground] as our significant meeting place."
What really makes this medal stand out are the varying depths to the designs - which range from 2mm to 4mm deep - that give the artwork a striking, three-dimensional effect.
When: Sunday 12th October, 2025
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Price: $190
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Rottnest Marathon Medal
Last year’s Rottnest Marathon medal. CREDIT: Todd Harro
The Rottnest Marathon medal brings something you don’t see every day: something that moves!
Its two spinning rings invite people to pick up the medal, spin it, have fun with it, and relive their marathon experience.
We might be reading too much into it, but we think the spinning rings might also symbolise the energy and movement of the race itself.
After all, it takes real energy to not only get out to an island off the coast of Western Australia but to also tackle a hillier marathon!
A Rottnest Marathon medal from several years ago. CREDIT: Mikey Roberts
Another unique thing about this medal is it has both gold and silver base colours - a combination you rarely see on medals - and a detachable ribbon.
This not only makes the medal more memorable but means you can easily unhook the medal to display it in a fun way or to pop it in the recycling bin.
The medal also gets points for having a cut-out of Rottnest Island in its centre.
This pulls your attention and reminds you of the beautiful setting where the marathon takes place.
When: TBC
Location: Rottnest Island, WA
Price: $95 to $125, depending on whether you’re a member with WA Marathon Club
Want to learn more?
Choosing a marathon can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re looking for one with a medal worth showing off.
That’s why we’ve spotlighted six of the best marathon medals in Australia and shown you what they have to offer.
If you’re still weighing your options or need advice, we’re here to help.
Reach out, and let’s find the perfect marathon for you to tackle next.