UREC - 49ER Gold Rush 5K
The 49er Gold Rush 5K has become a cherished February tradition for the Niners, welcoming students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members alike. Hosted by University Recreation, this year’s event brought together over 700 participants to run or walk in support of a great cause. The net proceeds benefit the University Recreation Student Professional Development Fund. For the 2025 race, I had the privilege of designing the official event medal, creating a meaningful keepsake that celebrates the spirit and unity of this vibrant community event.
EARLIER DRAFTS
The 49er Gold Rush 5K medal design started with me exploring a bunch of different directions, trying to figure out how bold type, circular forms, and motion-driven elements could capture both UNC Charlotte’s identity and the energy of a race. I spent a lot of time shaping the main wordmark—stretching condensed letterforms, adjusting angles, tightening spacing—until the “49er Gold Rush 5K” text felt strong but still clear at a small size. As that came together, I moved on to the outer ring, playing with curved text, swooshes, and different line styles to build some movement around the form.
Along the way, I pushed into a few other concepts too. I tried a shoelace-inspired medal shaped like a shoe tongue, and I explored a couple of pickaxe motifs that tied back to Charlotte’s 49er history. They were interesting experiments, but as they developed, it became obvious they weren’t hitting the right tone for the event. The ideas looked cool on paper, but they didn’t fully connect to the running experience or the feeling the medal needed to carry. Realizing that helped me narrow in on what actually worked.
Moodboard & Color Palette
FINAL VERSION
After gathering more concepts and pulling in additional inspiration, I realized the project needed a direction that felt more iconic and elevated. I kept the same color palette from earlier explorations, but I shifted the overall style by taking inspiration from Olympic-esque medals for the final visual identity. The octagonal gold form introduces a sense of achievement and competitive spirit, blending athletic energy with school pride for the 49er Gold Rush 5K. A green shoelace tied across the front connects directly to the event’s slogan, “Lace Up,” reinforcing themes of unity, preparation, and momentum. I placed the knot in the center on purpose—it represents connection and the idea that every runner contributes to the overall spirit of the race. Subtle patterning adds texture and craftsmanship, while the bold typography and Charlotte’s colors give the design a strong, confident presence that reflects the pride of the UNCC community.
