How to Display Race Medals From Finish Line to Feature Wall

Let's be honest, those race medals you've earned belong somewhere better than a dusty shoebox in the back of your closet. Each one represents a story—early morning alarms, tough training runs, and the incredible feeling of crossing the finish line. They’re not just trinkets; they’re trophies.

Choosing the right way to display them can turn that drawer clutter into a powerful source of daily motivation. You could go for a dedicated medal hanger if you've got a growing collection, or maybe a shadow box to frame the story of a particularly meaningful race with your bib and a few photos. For a really clean, modern look, pairing a medal with a custom RoutePrinter race map creates a display that’s pure art.

Your Medals Are Trophies, Not Trinkets

A gold race medal with a blue ribbon hangs on a textured beige wall, featuring a runner and 'SAAT 2000'.

Every single one of those medals is a physical reminder of a goal you set and absolutely crushed. When you figure out how to display them properly, they transform from forgotten souvenirs into powerful symbols of your dedication.

Creating a visual tribute to your running journey does more than just fill a blank wall. It reinforces your identity as a runner and acts as a constant source of inspiration. Seeing those accomplishments every day can be just the push you need when lacing up feels like a massive chore.

Why Your Achievements Deserve the Spotlight

That medal isn't just a participation award; it’s a badge of honor. Think about the sheer scale of what it took to earn it, especially for something like a marathon.

That one piece of metal places you in an incredibly exclusive club. Globally, only about 1.1 to 1.3 million people finish a marathon each year. That's a tiny fraction of the world's population—around 0.13% to 0.16%. In fact, less than 1% of people will ever complete a marathon in their entire lifetime.

This rarity is what makes it so special. The recent ballot for the TCS London Marathon saw a staggering 1,133,813 applicants, a number that's almost as large as the total number of marathon finishers worldwide in a year. That intense demand proves your medal isn't just for show; it's proof of a rare and hard-earned victory.

Turning Memories into Motivation

A well-designed display doesn't just look good; it tells your unique story, one race at a time. Whether it's your first 5K or a wall full of marathon hardware, each one marks a milestone. Putting them out there lets you reflect on how far you've come and fuels your ambition for what's next.

Here’s a quick look at the most popular ways to display race medals, helping you choose the perfect method for your space, style, and collection size.

Medal Display Method Quick Comparison

Display Method	Best For	Effort Level	Cost Estimate
Medal Hangers	Growing collections, easy access	Low	$20 - $70
Shadow Boxes	Single memorable races, storytelling	Medium	$30 - $150
Cork Boards	Creative, flexible arrangements	Low	$15 - $50
Framed Displays	Artistic, polished look with maps	Medium	$40 - $200
DIY Racks	Budget-friendly, personalized touch	High	$10 - $40

Ultimately, the goal is to create something that feels personal and inspiring to you. A great display celebrates your journey in a way that resonates every time you see it.

Consider the key benefits of showcasing your hard work:

Daily Inspiration: A visible reminder of past wins can give you the push you need to tackle your next training block.
Conversation Starter: Your display becomes a natural talking point, inviting friends and family to hear your stories of triumph.
Personalized Decor: It adds a unique touch to your space that truly reflects your passion.

A thoughtful medal display can also make a fantastic gift. If you're looking for ideas, our guide on the best gifts for marathon runners is packed with inspiration. In the end, remember your medals are trophies—give them the celebration they've earned.

Designing a Classic Medal Hanger Display

Five race medals with colorful ribbons displayed on a metal rack in a wooden alcove.

The classic medal hanger is a runner’s go-to for a reason. It’s straightforward, efficient, and lets your collection expand with every new race you conquer. But a truly great display is more than just a few screws in the wall—it’s about creating a focal point that tells your story and feels like it belongs in your home.

This kind of hanger gives you an at-a-glance view of your entire running history. It makes it easy to add that latest finisher medal, whether it’s from the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend or the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. The trick is to choose a hanger that feels like a deliberate piece of decor, not just a bit of hardware.

Choosing the Right Hanger for Your Style

Your medal hanger should complement the room, not clash with it. Take a look at the existing materials and colors in your space. A sleek, black stainless steel hanger with a motivational quote might look fantastic in a modern home gym, while a rustic, personalized wood hanger could be the perfect touch for a cozy office.

You’ve got a few popular options when it comes to materials:

Stainless Steel: Clean, durable, and has a modern vibe. These are often laser-cut with running silhouettes or inspirational phrases.
Wood: Gives off a warmer, more traditional feel. You can find options in various stains, from light oak to dark walnut, and many sellers offer custom engraving to make it personal.
Acrylic: A fantastic minimalist choice that makes your medals look like they're floating on the wall. It’s subtle and keeps all the focus on the medals themselves.

Before you commit, think about scale. A small, single-tier hanger is fine for a few medals. But if you're a seasoned racer, look for multi-tier designs or plan to install several hangers in a series. That way, your display can grow right along with you.

Strategic Placement and Installation

Where you hang your display matters just as much as the hanger itself. Pick a spot where it will give you a daily dose of inspiration. A home gym, a training corner, or your office are all perfect places for a reminder of your perseverance.

Pro Tip: Try to avoid high-traffic hallways where medals might get knocked around. It's also smart to steer clear of direct sunlight, which can fade those colorful ribbons over time. A dedicated wall space is always best for creating a true feature.

Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to get it on the wall. Don't just eyeball it—proper mounting is essential, especially as the weight of your medals starts to add up.

For a secure and level installation, you'll want to grab a few basic tools:

Tape Measure: For finding the center of your wall and spacing out the screw holes.
Level: Absolutely crucial for making sure your hanger is perfectly horizontal. Nothing ruins a display faster than a crooked rack.
Pencil: For lightly marking your drill points on the wall.
Drill and Bits: For creating pilot holes for your screws.
Wall Anchors: This is critical for drywall. Standard screws just won't hold the weight over time. To be safe, use anchors rated to support at least 25 pounds.

Remember the old rule: measure twice, drill once. Mark your drill spots with a pencil, use the level to double-check they’re aligned, and then install your anchors before screwing the hanger into place.

Curating Your Medal Arrangement

The final touch is arranging your medals in a way that tells a compelling story. There’s no single right way to do this; the best method is whatever resonates most with you.

A chronological arrangement is a popular choice because it creates a visual timeline of your running journey, from your first 5K to your most recent marathon. It’s a great way to see your progress and relive your race history in order.

Another smart option is to organize by race distance. Group all your half marathon medals together, your marathons in another section, and your 10Ks elsewhere. This really highlights your versatility as a runner.

For the data-driven athlete, arranging by personal records (PRs) can be incredibly motivating. Put your fastest races front and center as a reminder of what you're capable of. You could also group them by event series, like putting all your runDisney medals together or showcasing your World Marathon Majors collection. This is how to display race medals in a way that feels intentional and tells your unique story.

Curating Your Race Story in a Shadow Box

A wooden shadow box proudly displaying a running medal, race bib 4025, and a photo of a runner.

While a big medal hanger shows off your entire running journey, a shadow box lets you zero in on one single, unforgettable race. It’s the perfect method for when a particular event holds special significance—maybe it was your first marathon, a hard-earned PR, or a destination race that doubled as the trip of a lifetime.

Think of it as a time capsule for your biggest achievements. You can arrange not just the medal, but your race bib, a favorite finish-line photo, and other small keepsakes that bring the whole day rushing back. It's a way to turn a single accomplishment into a personal work of art, all safely preserved behind glass.

Selecting the Perfect Shadow Box

First things first, you need the right frame for your story. Shadow boxes come in all sorts of sizes and depths, and picking the right one is key to getting that clean, professional look you're after.

For a classic display featuring a medal, bib, and photo, you'll need a box that's at least 1.5 to 2 inches deep. This is non-negotiable. It gives the medal enough room to hang naturally without smushing against the glass, which creates a much nicer sense of dimension. As for the overall size, something like an 11x14 or 12x12-inch frame usually works well, depending on how many mementos you want to include.

Don't forget to consider how the frame's style will mesh with your home decor. A simple black or white frame can give off a modern, gallery vibe, whereas a natural wood finish adds a bit of warmth. The inside backing matters, too. Many come with a nice linen or velvet backing, but you can easily customize it with cool scrapbook paper or even a printed section of the race course map.

Arranging Your Memorabilia with Purpose

Once you've got your box, the fun part begins. Before you start pinning and sticking, lay all your items out on a table. Play around with different layouts until you find a composition that feels balanced and tells the story you want to tell.

A great trick from the art world is to use the rule of thirds. Just imagine your backboard is split into a 3x3 grid. Try placing your most important items, like the medal and your photo, where those imaginary lines intersect. It creates a far more dynamic look than just sticking everything in the center.

Need some inspiration? Here are a few layout ideas to try:

The Classic Trio: Put the race bib in the middle, hang the medal so it overlaps one corner, and place a 4x6 photo in the opposite corner.
The Focused Medal: Mount the medal right in the center and arrange smaller items around it, like a pin from the race expo or your old timing chip.
The Timeline: Arrange everything from left to right—maybe a "before" picture, then the bib, the medal, and finally that triumphant finish-line photo.

A shadow box is more than a display; it's a narrative. For a 'First Marathon' theme, include a small printout of your finish time. For a World Marathon Majors collection, consider a larger box to house multiple medals, each with its corresponding bib.

Mounting Items Securely and Safely

The secret to a display that lasts is securing everything without causing damage. You'll want to use materials that are acid-free to prevent your race bib and photos from yellowing over time.

For the medal itself, a sturdy straight pin is often all you need. Just push it through the backing at a slight angle and loop the ribbon over it. If you've got a particularly hefty medal, using two pins will give it extra support. To get the ribbon to lay flat, you can fold it neatly and secure it from behind with a small, hidden safety pin or a bit of double-sided fabric tape.

Your bib and photos are best attached with archival-quality mounting squares or photo corners. They’re gentle on paper and won't leave a sticky mess behind. If you want to create a "floating" effect, small foam adhesive dots can lift items off the backboard, adding some really nice depth and shadow.

When everything is perfectly in place, close up the box and give it a gentle shake to make sure nothing is loose. A quick wipe of the glass, and your curated race story is ready to hang—a beautiful tribute to an incredible memory. This is how to display race medals in a way that truly honors the achievement.

Bringing It All Together: Medals and Custom Race Maps

A framed map of a race route with a gold medal and ribbon hanging from its side on a textured wall.

For a display that feels less like a trophy case and more like modern art, nothing beats pairing your medal with a custom race map. This is how you elevate your achievement from just a piece of hardware into something that fits beautifully with your home's decor. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate a single, monumental race or even build out an entire gallery wall over time.

What I love about this combination is the story it tells. A RoutePrinter map gives you the context—those winding city streets, the beast of a hill at mile 22, the exact path you conquered. Your medal is the proof. Put them together, and you have a complete narrative of race day, turning a simple poster into a powerful tribute to all your hard work.

An Integrated Frame and Medal Display

One of the cleanest, most effective ways to combine these is by hanging the medal right from the map's frame. This pulls everything into a single, cohesive art piece where both elements get to be the star.

To pull this off, you just need a few things:

A framed RoutePrinter poster from your race.
A small, sturdy hook or knob that works with your frame's style.
Your hard-earned race medal.

Pick a hook that complements the frame. Think a small brass knob for a gold-toned frame or a minimalist black hook for a modern one. Just screw it into the bottom of the frame—either dead center or a little off to the side for a more artistic look—and loop the medal's ribbon over it. The result is an intentional, striking display that tells the whole story at a glance.

This approach is perfect for highlighting a massive achievement, like your first marathon or a huge PR. It gives the medal a place of honor without needing a separate hanger, keeping the focus tight and impactful.

Curating a Cohesive Gallery Wall

If you're like me and have a growing collection of accomplishments, a gallery wall of maps and medals is a brilliant way to go. You can build on it over time, adding a new piece for each big race you check off your list.

The trick to a great-looking gallery wall is consistency. I always recommend sticking to a uniform frame style and size for all your RoutePrinter maps to give it a clean, organized feel. You can then hang the medals on small, individual hooks between the frames or mount each one directly below its matching poster. This creates a rhythm that draws people in, inviting them to take a closer look at each race.

Personalize the Art to Make It Yours

What really makes this setup sing is the ability to personalize the map itself. When you design a custom route poster, you're doing more than just picking a city. You get to add your name, the date, your distance, and—the best part—your finish time. It’s this detail that creates that undeniable link between the art and your personal victory.

This synergy is especially powerful for half marathon medals. The distance has absolutely exploded in popularity, with global finishers jumping 20.9% to 1,513,531 across 190 major races recently. At a single event like the Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon, there were 40,638 finishers—that's a 34.6% increase from the year before. And these aren't just participation trophies; a staggering 68% of those races saw double-digit growth.

That hard-earned medal deserves to be celebrated. Pairing it with a RoutePrinter half-marathon poster—whether it’s Barcelona's winding streets or Berlin's sleek paths—and adding your personal time transforms a flat print into a proud showcase of your accomplishment.

Creative and Budget-Friendly DIY Display Ideas

A stunning medal display doesn't have to break the bank. Honestly, with a bit of ingenuity and some basic supplies, you can put together a personalized showcase that's both impressive and easy on the wallet. These projects are perfect for adding a personal touch to your space while celebrating all those hard-earned miles.

Some of the best displays I've seen come from repurposing everyday items. You’d be amazed at what can be turned into a stylish rack for your race bling. This approach not only saves a few bucks but gives you a display that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

The Upcycled Curtain Rod Rack

One of the simplest yet most effective DIY solutions I've come across is the curtain rod display. It gives off a cool, industrial-chic vibe, is a breeze to assemble, and can hold a serious number of medals without hogging your wall space.

You only need a few things, most of which you can grab from any home improvement store:

A simple metal or wooden curtain rod (24 to 36 inches is a good starting point).
Two decorative brackets that match your rod's style.
A pack of S-hooks—one for each medal.
The right mounting hardware (screws and drywall anchors are your best friends here).

Putting it together is straightforward. Just install the brackets on the wall, making sure they're level. Pop the rod into the brackets, and you're good to go. For each medal, slide an S-hook onto the rod and then loop the ribbon through the hook. The best part? It’s super easy to add new medals and shuffle your collection around whenever you feel like it.

Transforming Thrifted Frames and Cork Boards

Your local thrift store is an absolute treasure trove for display materials. That old, ornate picture frame or a plain cork board can be quickly upcycled into a beautiful backdrop for your favorite medals. This is a great way to display race medals with a touch of vintage, meaningful character.

To make a framed display, find a frame you like and pop out the glass and backing. A quick coat of paint can match it to your room's decor, or you can leave the original finish for a more rustic feel. Next, stretch a piece of burlap or linen across the frame's opening and secure it to the back with a staple gun. From there, just use some decorative push pins or tiny hooks to hang your medals right on the fabric.

A simple cork board gives you even more creative freedom. You can paint it, wrap it in fabric, or even create a collage of race photos to use as the background. I like using T-pins to hang medals on cork because they're strong and make it easy to add race bibs and other mementos right alongside them, creating a display that tells the whole story.

Pro Tip: Think about the story you're telling. A single, elegant frame is perfect for a major achievement like a first marathon. A larger cork board, on the other hand, is great for showing off an entire season of races and building a visual timeline of your progress.

Unconventional and Creative Solutions

Ready to get a little more creative? There are tons of ways to show off your medals using unexpected materials. These ideas are fantastic for letting your personality shine through.

A really popular and striking option is the "medal tree." Find a cool-looking, sturdy branch from your yard or a craft store. Once it's cleaned up, mount it horizontally on the wall with a couple of small brackets. Then, just drape your medal ribbons over the smaller offshoots. The organic, natural shape creates a flowing display that feels more like a piece of art.

For a more minimalist vibe, try using magnetic strips. You can find those strong, self-adhesive magnetic knife bars online or at most kitchen supply stores. Mount a few on the wall in a clean, geometric layout. Since most medals are metal, they'll stick right to the strips. This creates a sleek, modern look and lets you rearrange your collection with practically zero effort.

When Your Collection Starts Getting Serious

So, you've gone from a few medals hanging on a doorknob to, well, a lot of them. Your collection has officially graduated. This is for the athlete who's been at it for a while—the Ironman, the Six Star seeker, the ultramarathoner. When you have dozens of hard-earned medals, a single hanger just isn't going to cut it anymore. It's time to think bigger.

You need a solution that can expand as you keep crushing goals. We're talking about turning that massive pile of achievement into a genuine statement piece in your home. Large-scale options like custom-built shelving or a dedicated gallery wall are perfect for handling the sheer volume without looking messy. Instead of one long row, imagine an entire wall telling your athletic story. This approach avoids that dreaded visual clutter and makes your accomplishments an intentional part of your home's design.

How to Tame a Large Medal Collection

With a big collection, organization is everything. Just throwing them all up on the wall will look chaotic, fast. The trick is to group them in a way that makes sense and tells a story.

Here are a few ways I’ve seen this done really well:

By Year: This is a classic. Arranging your medals chronologically creates a visual timeline of your running or cycling career.
By Race Series: Got all the World Marathon Majors? A bunch of runDisney bling? Grouping them together shows off that specific dedication.
By Distance: You can create specific zones for marathons, half marathons, triathlons, or whatever your disciplines are.
By Ribbon Color: If you're going for pure aesthetics, arranging medals in a color gradient can look absolutely stunning.

This is how you take an extensive race history and turn it into something people can really appreciate. It adds a layer of curation that separates a display from just a pile.

For those monumental events, don't just stop at the medal. A gallery wall that mixes in framed RoutePrinter posters of your gnarliest training rides creates a much richer narrative of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into that finish line.

Spotlighting Your Biggest Wins

Let's be honest, some medals just mean more. For triathletes and cyclists, that bling from a global event like the World Marathon Challenge—which takes you from Antarctica to Miami—is on another level. Pairing these with RoutePrinter maps of your training routes? That’s display dominance. While marathon running is huge (1.1 million people finish one each year), endurance multisport is right there with it; road race finishers recently jumped 17% in a single year.

These heavier, more significant medals deserve special treatment. Putting them in a shadow box or mounting them next to a map of the course gives them the weight they deserve. It's powerful motivation, especially when you consider that 73% of runners are always looking for more event insights to fuel their own fire.

To really make these prized medals pop, add some lighting. A few simple, battery-powered LED puck lights or a sleek picture light mounted above the display can draw the eye right to your proudest moments. It’s a small touch that adds a professional, gallery-quality feel and ensures your biggest victories get the spotlight they’ve earned.

Answering Your Top Questions About Race Medal Displays

As you get ready to create your display, a few questions always pop up. Thinking through these details beforehand will help you build something that not only looks fantastic but also protects your medals for years to come.

How Should I Clean My Race Medals?

Before putting your medals on display, it's smart to give them a quick, gentle cleaning. A soft, dry microfiber cloth is usually all you need to wipe away dust and fingerprints.

If you run into some tougher grime, you can dampen the cloth just a little with water. Whatever you do, never use harsh chemical cleaners or anything abrasive. They can easily ruin the medal's finish and cause the ribbon to fade.

What's the Best Way to Hang a Heavy Medal Hanger?

Mounting a heavy hanger, especially one that's going to be loaded down with medals, requires a bit of planning. If you're going into drywall, you absolutely need to use drywall anchors.

Even better, try to screw the hanger directly into the wall studs for the strongest possible hold. A cheap stud finder is your best friend here. If the studs aren't in the right spot, grab some toggle bolts. Just make sure they're rated to hold more than enough weight so your display stays put.

Have ribbons of all different lengths? Here's a simple trick to make them look neat and uniform. After looping a ribbon over the hanger, just fold the extra length up behind the medal. You can secure it with a small safety pin or a piece of double-sided fabric tape. This gives you that clean, consistent look without having to cut or change the ribbon itself.

If you have a more ambitious custom display in mind or have specific questions about getting it set up, please reach out to our team. We're always happy to offer some personalized advice.

Ready to create a display that’s as inspiring as your race itself? Pair your medals with a stunning, personalized race map from RoutePrinter. Design your custom route poster today and turn your achievement into art.