The Rooted Half Marathon & 5K Brings Its Nature Theme Into a Sun-Activated Finisher Medal

September 10, 2026

LAKE ORION, Mich. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The Rooted Half Marathon & 5K, taking place September 27 at Orion Oaks County Park in Lake Orion, Michigan, is carrying its nature-inspired identity into a custom finisher medal designed to change color in sunlight.

The event takes runners through wooded and grassy areas of Orion Oaks County Park against a Michigan fall backdrop. Its identity centers around “The Rooted,” with a logo featuring a tree and its roots alongside runners and a dog.

Those elements became the starting point for the medal created by Magic Race Swag.

Rather than placing the event logo inside a conventional medal shape, the design takes inspiration from the cross-section of a tree trunk. Growth rings radiate outward from the logo at the center, while an irregular outer edge follows the natural form of a tree.

The tree theme continues through the medal’s sun-activated color change.

Indoors, the growth rings appear in a pale tone. When exposed to sunlight, they transition into warmer brown and earthy tones associated with natural wood.

“The color change wasn’t something we wanted to add just for the sake of making the medal interactive,” said Ryan Zhu, founder of Magic Race Swag. “Once the tree rings became the structure of the medal, we saw an opportunity to take the idea further. Instead of simply making them brown, sunlight could turn them brown.”

The result connects the physical shape of the medal with its interactive effect: the medal takes the form of tree rings and, outdoors, begins to take on the color of wood.

The reverse side incorporates another part of The Rooted’s event identity.

The event offers a 5K Run/Walk + Doggie Division, allowing participants to complete the course with their leashed dogs. A ring of paw prints around the back of the medal carries that element into the final design.

For Magic Race Swag, the project reflects a broader approach to interactive race merchandise: beginning with the identity of the event and using interactive technology when it can strengthen the creative concept.

“Every race gives us different material to work with — the name, the location, the course, the theme or even a small detail in the logo,” Zhu said. “The technology is another design tool. The goal is to use it in a way that feels like it belongs to that particular event.”

The Rooted Half Marathon & 5K includes a Half Marathon, 5K Run/Walk, 5K Run/Walk + Doggie Division and virtual race options. The event is scheduled for September 27, 2026, at Orion Oaks County Park.

About Magic Race Swag

Magic Race Swag creates interactive race merchandise for endurance events across the U.S. and internationally.

Its custom products incorporate physical triggers including sunlight, sweat, cold and darkness across race medals, shirts, bags, drinkware and other event merchandise. The company works directly with race directors on concept development, custom design, production and delivery.

More information or to request a free sample kit: www.magicraceswag.com