For many athletes, medals represent more than just race results. They are symbols of commitment, perseverance, and personal triumph. Whether earned in a local fun run or a world‑class marathon, these medals deserve to be seen, protected, and proudly displayed.
At Frame Today, we specialise in custom medal frames that preserve and showcase sporting achievements using professional materials, conservation techniques, and thoughtful design. In this case study, we present the story of Roxanne, a dedicated marathon runner and Marsden Park customer, who trusted us to frame her extensive medal collection.
Having completed marathons across America and in every state and territory of Australia, Roxanne wanted her medals displayed in a way that celebrated her journey. We created three custom floating medal frames using matboard packouts and premium materials, each designed to complement the style and story behind the medals.
When she collected her framed memorabilia, she was blown away and couldn’t wait to hang them in her home.
Three Custom Medal Frames To Celebrate a Marathon Journey
1. Marathons of Australia Medals
Roxanne’s Australian marathon medals were framed in a clean and modern Italian made frame, perfect for strong, contemporary presentation.
- Moda Black frame
- Floating medals using matboard packouts for dimensional depth
- Midnight Black matboard for bold contrast
- Tru Vue Premium Clear glass for clarity and protection
The result was sleek, powerful, and visually striking - perfect for a collection that represents achievement across an entire continent.
2. Ultra‑Trail Medals
Ultra‑Trail events are known for bold branding and rugged endurance. Roxanne’s Ultra‑Trail medals were framed to match that vibrant spirit.
- Moda Black frame
- Aqua matboard, chosen to complement the event colours
- Medals floated with precision‑cut packouts
- Tru Vue Premium Clear glass
This frame brings the high‑energy colours of Ultra‑Trail races to the forefront, making it an ideal centrepiece for a home gym or adventure‑themed wall.
3. Disney Medals
Disney’s Dopey Challenge races are colourful, joyful, and full of personality. To create a magical display, we built this frame with added depth and visual layering:
- Two Moda Black frames stacked to create a deep, shadow‑box effect
- Midnight Black top matboard
- Gold reveal bottom matboard for warmth and elegance
- Floating medals with subtle depth variation
- Tru Vue Premium Clear glass
The gold reveal creates a highlight that perfectly complements the bright colours of the Disney medal set.
Why Choose Floating Medal Frames?
Floating medals allow each piece to stand out while giving the display a museum‑quality appearance. By using matboard packouts, we create depth behind the medals so they appear to “hover” elegantly within the frame.
This technique is ideal for:
- Heavy or sculpted medals
- Mixed‑media displays (medals + bibs + ribbons)
- Collections where depth adds visual impact
- Displays that require clean, reversible mounting methods
How We Design and Build Custom Medal Frames
We follow a professional multi‑stage process to ensure every medal frame is visually stunning, structurally sound, and conservation‑friendly.
Step 1 - Consultation & Design
We begin by discussing:
- How many medals you want framed
- Whether you want race bibs, photos or other items included
- Which colours or themes match your medals, bibs and ribbons… and of course, your home
- Layouts (grid, stacked, floating, layered)
At this stage, we layout concepts and guide you through options for matboards, frames, backing colours, and overall proportions.
Step 2 - Creating Depth with Matboard Packouts
Matboard packouts are layers built around the medals to create depth so they can “float” within the frame.
Packouts help:
- Prevent medals from pressing against the glass
- Create dramatic shadows and layering
- Support heavier medals safely
- Achieve a floating appearance without adhesives
This is ideal for medals such as these marathon, running and trail medals.
Step 3 - Floating the Medals Using Reversible Conservation Mounting
This step is critical. All medals are mounted using reversible framing methods, meaning:
- No permanent adhesives are applied to the medals
- Everything can be removed or re‑positioned in future
- Medals are held securely and without damaging your medals
We avoid tape, glue, or anything that might damage metal surfaces, ribbons, or printed textile components.
Reversible mounting techniques can include:
- Hidden ties
- Secure nylon mounting
- Non‑intrusive support structures
Why reversible mounting matters:
- Your medals remain pristine
- You can add, remove, or rearrange pieces in the future
- The value and integrity of your memorabilia is preserved
This ensures your medals stay safe for decades to come.
Step 4 - Finishing with Premium Clear Glass
We used Tru Vue Premium Clear glass, which is designed for general purpose framing. If glare or UV light is a consideration, we recommend upgrading to non-reflective or UV filtering glass.
Medal Frames for Runners, Triathletes, and Adventure Competitors
Our floating medal frames suit:
- Marathon medals
- Triathlon and Ironman medals
- Trail and endurance event medals
- Fun run collections
- Military medals
- Commemorative pieces
- Multi‑event personal achievement displays
If it’s important to you, we can frame it for display and protection.
Ready to Frame Your Medals?
Whether you’ve just completed your first 5km run or you’ve travelled the world collecting race medals, your achievements deserve to be displayed with pride.
Visit any Frame Today store with your medals, race bibs, and memorabilia. Our framers will help you design a custom medal frame that celebrates your story with style, depth, and professional craftsmanship.
