Vermont City Marathon apologizes for medals shortage

The director for the People's United Bank Vermont City Marathon has issued an apology after the race failed to have enough medals on hand Sunday for all of its finishers.

In a statement issued on the event's website, Peter Delaney, race director for Vermont City Marathon, said "At some point in the ordering process the quantity of 2 person relay medals and marathon medals were reversed, leaving us short of the medals needed for our marathon finishers. It is as unacceptable to me as it is to all who were shortchanged at their finish line celebration."

In an email sent out to competitors, Delaney notified runners who finished the marathon more than five hours after it started that VCM will be sending them a medal and a finisher hat or shirt. Runners who finished before the five-hour mark, are asked to send an email to registration@runvermont.org, so that the marathon can be assured it has a complete list of finishers who did not receive a medal.

Delaney continued, "I hope that you will not allow my mistake to reflect negatively upon my dedicated staff or the 1700 volunteers who all gave so tirelessly to provide you with a spectacular race. They deserve nothing but the highest praise as they did their jobs far better than I. It will take us a day or two to iron out the details, but it is my firmest commitment to deliver a medal and a finisher hat or shirt for any marathoner who did not receive the rewards for your accomplishments as soon as we can make it happen."

In his website statement and letters to marathon participants, Delaney took sole responsibility for the mix up, while offering his apologies.

VCM did not state how many participants went without medals.

The race organizers also issued an apology on Facebook Sunday, and said they will have more details early next week.

Follow Philip Tortora on Twitter at @philiptortora or on Facebook at Facebook.com/PhilipTotoraJournalist. Reach him at 660-1847.