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'We're not going to run from it': Sydney Marathon laughs off medal error

Harry SekulichSydney
News imageInstagram: sydney_marathon A photo showing the Sydney Marathon medal, as shared by organisers on social media.Instagram: sydney_marathon
The medal design appears to show Munich's Allianz Arena on the bottom-right

The organisers of Sydney Marathon have laughed off a mistake which saw a German stadium etched on to medals for participants, saying "we're not going to run from it".

Questions arose after the event's official social media account unveiled the design of this year's medal earlier in the week, which had mistakenly etched Allianz Arena, based in the German city of Munich, instead of Sydney's Allianz Stadium.

A spokesperson for the Sydney Marathon told the BBC: "A little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers medal, with an incorrect depiction of the stadium."

It was "an unfortunate error," they added.

News imageGetty Images A composite image showing Sydney's Allianz Stadium above Munich's Allianz Arena, for comparison. The first has a flatter façade smoothed with long bronze fins, while the Munich stadium is sculpted by thousands of diamond-shaped inflatable cushions.Getty Images
The Munich arena (bottom) appears to feature on the medal instead of the Sydney landmark (above)

Recognisable Sydney landmarks feature on the double-sided medal, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, which are part of the 42.2km (26.2 mile) course.

Users on social media noticed the shape of the stadium engraved on the medal appeared to be carved in the wrong likeness.

Munich's Allianz Arena is sculpted by thousands of diamond-shaped inflatable cushions, while Sydney's similarly named Allianz Stadium has a flatter facade smoothed with long bronze fins.

Sydney Marathon confirmed runners would receive the medal depicting the incorrect city's stadium, noting: "It's a beautiful medal, and now a little more unique."

"It's certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour."

Germany's Allianz Arena also poked fun at the mistake, writing on Instagram: "Oh wow, we didn't have that on our bingo card!"

"Perhaps they tried to find something else they had in common: Allianz Arena -- Sydney Opera -- Unique Architecture -- Both are worth a visit!"

The reverse side of the Sydney Marathon medal shows a gold and indigo pattern designed by First Nations artist Ambrose Killian, widely commended for its ornate pattern.

He confirmed to the BBC that he was not involved in designing the other face of the medal engraved with the wrong stadium.

Some 40,000 runners will take part in the event on 30 August, following more than 120,000 ballot entries.

Organisers praised record participation and fundraising for this year's event.