Every runner knows that moment. You’ve just completed a marathon—months of training, countless early mornings, and miles of dedication culminating in that precious medal hanging around your neck.
But what happens when you get home? Too often, these symbols of achievement end up hidden away in drawers or boxes, their stories untold and their significance diminished. This was exactly the challenge that sparked the creation of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays.
As marathon runners ourselves and founders of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays, we understand the deep emotional connection between an athlete and their medals. Each medal represents not just a finish line crossed, but a personal journey of determination, resilience, and triumph. This intimate understanding of the runner’s experience has guided our mission to create the finest medal displays in the world.
In this article, we’ll share the remarkable story of how a single Boston Marathon medal and an engineer’s perfectionism led to the creation of America’s premier medal display company. You’ll discover why our displays have become the standard of excellence for athletes worldwide and learn how we’ve maintained our commitment to quality and craftsmanship for over a decade.
The Birth of Blue Diamond: A Story of Passion and Precision
It all began in 2008 when Ken Posmer, an engineer with a passion for running, finally achieved his dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. After four attempts and countless training miles, he earned that coveted Boston medal—a symbol of achievement he couldn’t bear to toss into a drawer with his others. As an engineer working in sheet metal fabrication, Ken decided to create something special: a custom display that would properly showcase his Boston medal alongside his other achievements.
What happened next was entirely unexpected. In 2009, Ken’s wife Nell, a professional artist, was selected as the official artist for the Chicago Rock and Roll Marathon series. At her Navy Pier booth, alongside her paintings, she displayed Ken’s medal holder. While the paintings drew admiration, it was the medal display that captured runners’ attention. By the end of the expo, 57 runners had signed up to purchase their own displays—before the company even existed!
The Perfect Blend of Engineering and Art
What sets Blue Diamond Athletic Displays apart is the unique combination of Ken’s engineering precision and Nell’s artistic vision. Every display is designed to literally elevate your achievements:
- Engineered to float off the wall, creating an elegant floating effect
- Carefully spaced to prevent medals from touching the wall
- Crafted from premium stainless steel for lifelong durability
- 100% made in the USA
- Designed with both function and aesthetics in mind
From Grassroots to Industry Leader
The company’s commitment to excellence quickly caught the attention of major players in the running world. In 2014, Blue Diamond became the official medal display company for the Boston Marathon—a partnership that continues to thrive today. This was followed by collaborations with IRONMAN®, the TCS New York City Marathon®, and other prestigious events.
A Community Built on Trust
What truly sets Blue Diamond apart isn’t just the quality of our products—it’s our connection to the running community. We’ve grown not through aggressive marketing, but through the enthusiastic word-of-mouth of satisfied customers who become part of the Blue Diamond family. Our expo booths become gathering places where runners share their stories, celebrate their achievements, and connect with fellow athletes.
Looking to the Future
Today, Blue Diamond Athletic Displays continues to innovate and expand, offering multiple product lines to meet diverse needs while maintaining our unwavering commitment to quality. From our signature SSMS2 series to our innovative Wine Bottle Series and the sophisticated BMFRM1 Boston Marathon display, each product reflects our dedication to excellence.
As we look to the future, our mission remains unchanged: to create displays worthy of your achievements, backed by service that exceeds your expectations. Because at Blue Diamond, we believe every medal tells a story, and every story deserves to be displayed with pride.
Whether you’re hanging your first 5K medal or your twentieth marathon finish, remember: once you go Blue Diamond, you never go back. Your achievements deserve nothing less than the best.
Ready to display your achievements with pride? Visit our website to explore our full range of premium medal displays, or find us at major marathon expos across the country. Join the thousands of athletes who trust Blue Diamond to showcase their athletic journey.