Finishers medal for KBC Dublin Marathon unveiled to be a nod to 1980 plaque featuring Ha'Penny Bridge

The finishers medal for 40th Dublin City Marathon has been revealed - and it’s a nod to the original plaque from 1980.

The striking new bronze and colour medal features the capital’s oldest pedestrian crossing, the Ha’Penny Bridge.

Jim Aughney, race director of the KBC Dublin Marathon, said: “We are delighted with the medal design this year as it commemorates the original plaque that was used in 1980.

“The material used also reverts back to the bronze image that finishers received in the inaugural event.

“I think it will be much valued and become a collector’s item with all the finishers.”

Picture shows from left Arklow athlete Mary Nolan Hickey, the only female and Frank Behan, the most senior, to have competed in all 39 marathons since 1980 at the unveiling of the 2019 KBC Dublin Marathon finishers medal (Naoise Culhane Photography)

Present at the unveiling of the medal were two runners who had been at the forefront of the marathon since 1980.

Arklow athlete Mary Nolan Hickey has run all 39 Dublin Marathons to date and is the only female to have finished every single one of them.

It's a nod to the 1980 finishers plaque (facebook.com/dublinmarathon)

And at 80 years' young, Frank Behan is the most senior athlete to have finished 39 marathons.

Both Ms Hickey and Mr Behan plan to run this year’s marathon which will take place on October 27.

Aidan Power, Director of Customer, Brand and Marketing from KBC, said: “The Dublin Marathon has enjoyed huge success and developed into one of the best race experiences in the world for competitors and supporters alike.

“This year’s medal is a nod back to the first finishers plaque in 1980 and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate the medal unveiling with two of the runners who have being part of the marathon since day one.”