At least 40 runners were injured at the recent UltraBling Marathon after receiving their enormous finisher’s medals. The medals, promoted as record-breaking in size, weight, and brightness, were two feet in diameter and weighed 80 pounds each. They were encrusted in highly reflective materials including chrome, mirrored glass, and a variety of fluorescent neon colors, emitted pulsing laser lights, and came with a four-inch-wide multi-colored embroidered canvas ribbon.
After completing the grueling 26.2 mile race, many exhausted participants were unable to safely don the medals in the finish chute. There were reports of neck strain, dislocated shoulders, hernias, lower back spasms, groin injuries, and even bruised feet when runners failed to anticipate the heft of the large race souvenirs. Others were treated for temporary blindness from the glare. One woman was pinned under her medal in a Porta-Potty for 20 minutes before concerned friends finally responded to her calls for help.
Many finish line volunteers were also treated for similar symptoms, although Race Director Rolf LaPois insisted that they were all told to “lift with their legs, not with their backs” when distributing the medals.
Several participants said they were considering suing the race organizers and the manhole cover manufacturing company that designed and produced the medals. Apparently, the event waiver failed to include injuries caused by the swag in the list of potential dangers to race entrants.
Most of the injured have since recovered, but overall winners Lori Spolaf and Rip Falloso remain hospitalized after collapsing under the combined weight of their finisher’s medals and 12-foot trophies.
Happy April Fools Day from Run Oregon!