Course des Chênes-toi: The Story Behind Your Medal

There you are at the finish line, exhausted, but proud to have met the sporting challenge that is the Course Des Chênes-toi. A few seconds later, you're presented with a magnificent medal, a symbol of your accomplishment.

Did you know that Marie-Jeanne Handfield, an industrial design intern at Soucy, designed the medal that is now around your neck? Let her tell you the story of how she came up with the design for the medal of this race that is beloved by Drummondville athletes of all ages!

For the 11th edition, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I had once again been the elected medal design manager, as part of my third internship at Soucy. This year, we went back to basics.

The instructions featured fewer constraints, so I had a lot of freedom to develop the concepts. The medal you'll receive this year features several artistic and symbolic elements representing both the race and the city in which it takes place.

1. The family: missing from the 2017 edition, this graphic element is making a comeback this year, since the race is first and foremost a family-friendly, mobilizing event.
2. A map of Drummondville: a representation of the city of Drummondville was requested by the organizing committee. I therefore illustrated Drummondville on a map, showing the streets used during the race. It’s a subtle yet charming element.
3. Woodyatt Park's new facilities: given that the city has invested a lot in these new facilities that will be visited by most of the participants, I chose to add a nod to these vibrant red installations on the medal. Attentive athletes will certainly be able to make the connection when they receive their medals at the finish line.
4. The must-haves: the Course Des Chênes-Toi logo, the edition, and "Drummondville" are of course featured on the medal design.

Finally, I'd like to mention that the Soucy industrial design team supported me throughout this adventure, and without them, the result would never have been so wonderful.

I look forward to seeing you with the medal around your neck on May 20!

Marie-Jeanne Handfield is an up-and-coming industrial designer, passionate to the core and thirsty for new challenges. She is in her third year at the Université de Montréal and has completed her 3rd internship at Soucy International.

"The members of the industrial design department wanted to learn from my worldview, but they were the real teachers after all. I can say without doubt that my skills have truly broadened as a result of my time as an intern at Soucy."