The History Behind the Iconic Austin Marathon Belt Buckle Medal Designs
Austin Marathon is known for many things, including it’s now iconic Texas Style belt buckle finisher medal. Each medal intricately captures iconic Austin monuments, reflects the city’s rich culture, and embodies the symbols that make Austin, Texas, stand out. Here’s a breakdown of the design elements that have celebrated Austin’s uniqueness in our previous medals over the years.
Why Belt Buckles
Here at the Austin Marathon, our finisher medals take the form of belt buckles, a nod to a cherished Texan tradition. In the heart of Texas, belt buckles are more than just accessories; they’re badges of honor, representing achievements, pride, and a deep sense of identity. Often seen as prizes at our renowned rodeos and significant events, these buckles are a testament to one’s dedication and prowess. By incorporating this iconic design, we aim to celebrate every runner’s accomplishment and weave the essence of Texan pride into our marathon’s very fabric.
Now let’s get a look at these beauties.
2017
2017 Finisher Medal
Treble Clef: The treble clef is a musical symbol that is placed at the beginning of a staff to indicate the pitch of the notes. This is a nod to Austin’s love for live music
#RunAustin: Our official hashtag on social media for all things running in Austin.
City Skyline: Austin is a beautiful downtown that can be seen when crossing the river. This includes iconic buildings like the Texas State Capitol & the UT Tower.
Lady Bird Lake: Part of the heart of downtown, is the river that runs through town, creating breathtaking views and a great place to stay active with water activities and a running Trail
Texas State: We are proud Texans and love all things Texas, and will include it anywhere we can!
Lone Star: This lone star is a reference to the state’s nickname: “The Lone Star State”
Bats: The iconic bats fly over downtown from the Congress Bridge, which you cross at the beginning of the course
2018
2018 Finisher Medal
Guitars: As the Live Music Capital of the World, guitars hold a special place in our hearts, resonating with the soulful melodies that fill our streets.
Texas Capitol Building: The iconic background of our finish line and the center of Austin’s downtown.
Bluebonnets The Texas state flower blooms all over roadsides and through the neighborhood streets. Rumor is that picking the state flower is illegal.
Musical Symbols: As a tribute to Austin’s soul-stirring music scene, this symbol echoes the heartbeat of our city.
Armadillo: The armadillo is the official Texas state small mammal. The armadillo was praised for its unique traits that resonate with Texan values, such as a deep respect and need for the land, the ability to change and adapt, and a fierce undying love for freedom.
Texas State: Did we mention we love Texas!
Congress Bridge: Home of the Austin and the start of the Austin Marathon!
Run Austin Historic Street Sign: A nod to the historic street signs of downtown including historic Sixth Street. This sign is dedicated to our official hashtag #RunAustin!
Blue Sky – A nod to the big blue skies are far as the eye can see that you can witness if you travel through Texas. We also boast some amazing sunrises.
2019
2019 Finisher Medal
Ascension Seton: We are proud to welcome Ascension Seton as our title sponsor in 2019.
Staff filled with music notes & bats: A staff, otherwise known as a stave, is a group of five parallel horizontal lines and four spaces, joined together by bar lines. We filled these with music and bats as icons of Austin culture weave together over the city
Stevie Ray Vaughn Statue: In 1993, the city of Austin erected the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Statue at Auditorium Shores on Lady Bird Lake, the site of a number of Vaughan’s concerts. It has become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
Horseshoe: the horseshoe is a symbol of good luck and protection. It is often hung in Texas outside the front door or on the porch of homes.
Texas Capitol Building: The iconic background of our finish line and the center of Austin’s downtown.
Bluebonnets: The Texas state flower graces our medals, adding a touch of color and beauty to our achievements.
UT Tower: Since 1937, the UT Tower has been a symbol of the heart of the University of Texas. We have “lit” the windows as a nod to the lighting configurations that mark University milestones or or achievements that can be seen from all over the city.
Austonian Tower: The Austonian is a residential skyscraper in Downtown Austin, Texas, USA. At 683 feet tall with 56 floors, it was once Austin’s tallest building, it now ranks 2nd.
Lady Bird Lake: Part of the heart of downtown, is the river that runs through town, creating breathtaking views and a great place to stay active with water activities and a running Trail
Hi How Are You Mural: The city is full of murals both simple and elaborate, and this one, was created by the musician Daniel Johnston. He called it “Jeremiah the Innocent Frog.” Which came from the cover of his 1983 cassette album Hi, How Are You- The Unfinished Album featured the strange, frog-like creature that was hand-drawn by Johnston himself
2020
2020 Finisher Medal
Yellow Rose: Yellow roses mean friendship and happiness. There is also the Yellow Rose of Texas a popular folk song that originated in the mid-19th century and is now iconic in Texas history and folklore. The song tells the story of a black woman who played a significant role during the Texas Revolution, specifically the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836.
Acoustic Guitar: The acoustic guitar is a versatile and foundational instrument in many music genres, and embodies the city’s deep-rooted musical heritage and its commitment to fostering both established and emerging artists.
Texas Flag: Proudly displaying the Lone Star flag, our medals pay tribute to the state we call home.
Prickly Pear Cactus: The Official Texas State Plant. The legislature referred to the cactus as, “Rugged, versatile, and beautiful, the prickly pear cactus has made numerous contributions to the landscape, cuisine, and character of the Lone Star State, and its unusual status as both a vegetable and a fruit make it singularly qualified to represent the indomitable and unique Texas spirit as an official state symbol.
Texas Capitol Building: The iconic background of our finish line and the center of Austin’s downtown.
Neon Sign: Neon signs are a core symbol of Austin, guiding people to the city’s popular spots to eat, drink, and enjoy.
Colorado River: More than 800 miles long, the Texas Colorado River is the longest river to start and end in the same state. It also flows right through Austin’s downtown, forming our Lady Bird Lake. You can see the Congress brage shown as it bridges South and North Austin together.
Frost Bank Tower: The Frost Bank Tower, designed by the renowned firm Duda|Paine Architects and distinguished by its unique pyramidal crown, stands as the fifth tallest building in Austin and is one of the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks; some even liken its appearance to an owl.
Bats: The iconic bats fly over downtown from the Congress Bridge, which you cross at the beginning of the course
2021
2021 Finisher Medal
RunATX: This shortened version of our tagline RUN AUSTIN and the distinctive style of this medal, is a reference to the uniqueness of 2021 in which we ran on an alternative date and were only able to hold the half marathon distance.
Staff filled with music notes & bats: A staff, otherwise known as a stave, is a group of five parallel horizontal lines and four spaces, joined together by bar lines. We filled these with music and bats as icons of Austin culture weave together over the city
Bluebonnets: The Texas state flower graces our medals, adding a touch of color and beauty to our achievements.
Lone Star: This lone star is a reference to the state’s nickname: “The Lone Star State”
Bats: The iconic bats fly over downtown from the Congress Bridge, which you cross at the beginning of the course
Guitars: As the Live Music Capital of the World, guitars hold a special place in our hearts, resonating with the soulful melodies that fill our streets.
Texas Capitol Building: The iconic background of our finish line and the center of Austin’s downtown.
Paisley: Paisley print became the most popular pattern for the bandanas used by the cowboys. They mainly wear them on their faces to protect against the dust, wind, and sun, besides preventing being recognized when convenient.
2022
2022 Finisher Medal
30: The large 30 at the top is a reflection of us celebrating our 30th Anniversary.
Congress Ave: Congress Avenue isn’t just Austin’s main street – it is the main street of Texas leading to the Capitol Building.
NightWing: Night Wing Bat Sculpture is a famous and iconic public art, bat sculpture honoring the Congress Avenue Bridge Bats. It has been welcoming visitors since 1988.
Jackalope: The jackalope is a mythical creature often depicted as a jackrabbit with antelope horns or deer antlers. The jackalope has become a popular symbol in Texan culture due to its whimsical nature and the many tales surrounding its existence, often serving as a playful representation of the state’s rich tapestry of myths and legends.
Wild Flowers – a mix of Black Eyed Susan, Texas Blue Bonnets, and Indian Paintbrush are all scattered to show the mix of Texas wildflowers that can seen blooming on Austin road sides.
Colorful Guitar: The guitar is one of many that we a part of a GuitarTown Project. The 10-foot-tall guitars were placed around Austin and then auctioned off for charity.
Staff filled with music notes & bats: A staff filled these with music weaves over the city skyline as a reference to Austin being the Live Music Capitol of the World.
100 Congress Ave: A 22-story building that has stood as a landmark on Congress Avenue and Cesar Chavez Street for more than three decades
Texas Capitol Building: The iconic background of our finish line and the center of Austin’s downtown.
2023
2023 Finisher Medal
Treaty Oak: The Treaty Oak in Austin, Texas, revered as a symbol of strength by many Texans, is the last of the Council Oaks where Comanche and Tonkawa tribes once met. Estimated to be 500 years old, it’s said to be home to many historic events including when Stephen F. Austin negotiated Texas’s first boundary treaty there in the 1830s.
Mocking Bird: The mockingbird is the Official State Bird of Texas. It can be found all over the state and is easy to recognize by it’s song – or rather songs. they can sing up to 200 songs including that of other birds, insects, and even mechanical sounds like sirens or car alarms.
I love Queso Mural: Local street artist Mike Johnston commissioned this colorful masterpiece at Kerby Lane on campus. While there might be some internal debate as to who has the best queso, all Austinites agree: We Love Queso.
Marquee: This marquee looks very similar to the Paramount Theatre marquee that graces Congress Ave.
Boo Jam: The Austin Marathon mascot makes his finisher medal debut!
Never Give Up: Creative graffiti artist painted “Never Give Up” graffiti mural painting on the Austin Railroad Graffiti Bridge over Lady Bird Town Lake, Austin, Texas and it became an icon of the city.
Paddle Boarders: Austin is an active town, which loves to be outdoors and do stuff. One of the great things about having a river right downtown is you can easily grab a SUP board or kayak and spend some time on the water.
Bluebonnets & Yellow Roses: Two of Texas’s most iconic flowers. Read our previous years to get the scoop on these beauties.
Welcome to Austin: Austin is known for its welcoming culture. Everyone is welcome to the party and you never know when you will make your new best friend.
Texas Star: The five points of the star represent the characteristics of a good citizen, which are fortitude, loyalty, righteousness, prudence, and broadmindedness.
2024
2024 Finisher Medal
Texas State Flag: Representing our pride and heritage, the Lone Star flag makes a bold statement. Just like Texas, this marathon is big, bold, and unforgettable.
Texas State Capitol Building: As you run through the heart of Austin, the Capitol is a must-see. It’s front and center in this year’s medal, honoring one of the most iconic landmarks on the course.
Austin Skyline: The skyline captures the unique energy of the city, from our skyscrapers to the rolling hills, offering a view that both locals and visitors hold close to heart.
Love from Austin Mural: No medal would be complete without a nod to Austin’s street art scene. The “Love from Austin” mural brings that same love and creativity straight to your finisher hardware.
Rattle Snake: A true Texas symbol! Just like our course, the rattlesnake is tough and wild—ready to challenge anyone in its path.
Boo Jam: The beloved Austin Marathon Mascot Boo Jam is back again for 2024!
Grackles on a Phone Line: You can’t think of Austin without thinking of our famous (and loud) grackles. This quirky bird adds a bit of humor and charm to the medal, capturing the everyday Austin experience.
Monarch Butterfly: A symbol of beauty and transformation, just like the journey each runner takes from training to finish line. The monarch is a reminder of growth, perseverance, and strength.
Lantanas: These colorful Texas-native flowers represent the natural beauty that surrounds the city and the marathon course, highlighting the connection to the outdoors that Austin runners cherish.
2025
2025 Finisher Medal
Texas State Capitol Building: Standing tall and proud in the center of the medal, the Texas State Capitol Building is an unmistakable icon of both the city and the race. Whether you’re local or visiting, the Capitol will cheer you on as you run through downtown Austin.
Austin Skyline: Framing the Capitol are the sleek skyscrapers of Austin’s skyline. This symbolizes the blend of urban life and natural beauty that the marathon route showcases, from high-rise buildings to greenbelt views. It’s the Austin we know and love!
Music Notes: You can almost hear the beat of Austin as you run, with music notes dancing around the medal. From live bands along the course to the city’s vibrant music scene, it’s a reminder that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World.
Taco Truck: A nod to Austin’s unbeatable food truck culture, the colorful taco truck brings a fun and local flavor to the medal. Whether you’re indulging post-race or just passing by, tacos are always a good idea in Austin.
Boo Jam (Austin Marathon Mascot): Our favorite marathon mascot, Boo Jam, returns! This time, he’s rocking out with a guitar, celebrating the spirit of Austin’s live music and keeping runners motivated with a little local jam session.
Texas State Flag: Representing our pride and heritage, the Lone Star flag makes a bold statement. Just like Texas, this marathon is big, bold, and unforgettable.
Texas Mountain Laurel: Nestled alongside Boo Jam, the Texas Mountain Laurel showcases its deep purple blooms. Known for its sweet, grape-like fragrance, this native plant fills Austin with color and scent every spring—an unmistakable part of the local landscape.
Horned Toad (Texas Horned Lizard): The Texas horned toad, with its spiky appearance and small, sturdy frame, brings a little wild charm to the medal. This beloved lizard is a true Texas native, tough yet adorable—perfect for representing the state’s rugged nature.
Tau Ceti Mural (2nd & Brazos): The Tau Ceti mural adds a vibrant splash of color and geometric design to the medal. This eye-catching piece of Austin street art is located at 2nd and Brazos, not far from the race festivities, making it a fun and fitting tribute to the city’s creative energy.
Longhorn: The majestic longhorn, with its sweeping horns, is a symbol of Texas’ ranching heritage and wide open spaces. This animal’s distinctive silhouette is unmistakable and perfectly represents the wild beauty of the Lone Star State.
