Sydney marathon organizers have apologized but also laughed off a mistake which saw Munich's Allianz Arena etched on to medals for the participants, instead of Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
"We're not going to run from it," organizers said on Instagram on Sunday. It was "an unfortunate error, though it's certainly given everyone something to talk about this weekend, mostly in good humour," they added.
The mistake was spotted after the design of this year's medal was unveiled earlier in the week.
"You may also be aware that a little too much international flavour has found its way onto the back of the finishers medal, with an incorrect depiction of the stadium," the Instagram post read.
The organizers of the marathon said that, "this is the medal our finishers will receive," as there won't be enough time to make new ones with the event just a week away.
"It's a beautiful medal, and now a little more unique. What it represents does not change. Behind every one of these medals is months of early mornings, long runs and quiet determination, and having it placed around your neck at the Sydney Opera House is a moment our participants will never forget," they said.
Several recognizable Sydney landmarks feature on the double-sided medal, including the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, and now also the Allianz Arena.
Many people reacted to the Instagram post with understanding, while others took it with humour: "Man this is going to be a really long run if I have to run to Munich," one user said.
The Sydney marathon is next Sunday and some 40,000 runners are expected to participate.
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