Seán Cotter, a graphic designer from Dundalk, Co. Louth and recent graduate of the Visual Communication programme at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), has been announced as the winner of the 2026 Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon medal design competition. The competition was organised in partnership between the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon and the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI) as part of the IDI’s New Now graduate programme, with an open call issued to IDI’s network of emerging design talent.
From a strong field of submissions, a shortlist was selected before the final three candidates were invited to present their designs to a judging panel. Seán’s entry, titled ‘Heartbeat’, was chosen as the unanimous winner and will be the official finisher’s medal for the 2026 event.
‘Heartbeat’ is a playful, considered arrangement of the number 2026, with the forms overlapping to create a heart shape at the centre of the medal. The heart symbolises the event’s core values of inclusivity, connection, and love – values that have defined the event throughout its 43 year history. Three intersecting lines woven through the numerals represent running tracks, capturing the movement and athletic spirit of tens of thousands of participants who take to the streets of Dublin each year.
Speaking about the achievement, Seán said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have designed the medal for the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon. It’s an incredibly special and uplifting day, and I believe the medal design will serve as a visual extension of that – communicating a sense of fun, connection, and love.”
David O’Leary, Race Director of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon, welcomed the winning design with enthusiasm. “The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon has always been more than a race. We’re passionate about giving young people a chance to showcase their talent , and Seáns design is a perfect example of that in action. The ‘Heartbeat’ concept beautifully captures the energy and connection that defines the day for tens of thousands of participants”.
Charlotte Barker CEO of the Institute of Designers in Ireland, praised both the quality of the competition and the calibre of the winning entry: “This competition was a fantastic opportunity to give a designer in their early career a chance to work on a high-profile brand. Sean produced a unique and visually striking medal that really captures the spirit of the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon.”
Following the judging panel’s decision, Cotter worked closely with Sara Santarelli of SNDE Visual, who guided him through the process of taking the winning concept from a finished design to a fully production-ready medal specification. Sara’s expertise in the technical and manufacturing requirements of the process ensured that the vision behind ‘Heartbeat’ will be faithfully realised in the physical medal that finishers will receive on May 31st.
About the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon
The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is now in its 44th year. The first Women’s Mini Marathon began in Dublin in 1983 with 9,000 entrants, it has grown in popularity and the event now hosts almost 30,000 women on the June bank holiday weekend. Women from across Ireland, U.K. and Europe take part each year to raise vital funds for their chosen charities and causes.
The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is a world-class sporting event and is dedicated to helping women across Ireland to achieve their fitness goals. The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon has become an important part of Irish culture and a celebration for Irish women aged 14 and over. The event caters for women who wish to walk or jog for fun while also catering for competitive runners. It is not only women who have benefited from the event, but charities are also the big winners. The Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon is the single biggest charity fundraising event in Ireland. An estimated €226m has been raised for charity since its beginning in 1983. All charities benefit as it is the women themselves who decide who they will support, and many local causes gain vital revenue from the event.
About Seán Cotter
Seán Cotter is a graphic designer from Dundalk, Co. Louth, who recently graduated with a first-class honours degree in Visual Communication from IADT (Institute of Art, Design and Technology). Seán recently moved to London to continue developing his career, following a successful period as a designer at Red Dog Creative agency. He is passionate about all aspects of graphic design, particularly its intersection with culture and sport. Seán has collaborated with the Football Association of Ireland and Dundalk FC and worked on a major rebrand for the Law Society of Ireland during his time at Red Dog, consistently striving to create work that is both thoughtful and engaging. He can be found on Instagram at @scotter_design.
About the Institute of Designers in Ireland (IDI)
The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the representative body for design professionals in Ireland. It champions the value of design across industry, education, and culture, and supports the next generation of Irish designers through initiatives including its New Now programme, which creates real-world opportunities for designers in their early careers.
The VHI Women’s Mini Marathon takes place in Dublin on May 31st.
For more details https://www.vhiwomensminimarathon.ie/
