Sale of Boston Marathon medals on eBay sparks outrage

While families mourned, a city panicked, and a country empathized, some people were trying to cash in on acts of terrorism that have left four dead, nearly 200 injured, and dozens without limbs.

WPIX in New York reported Thursday that they found five 2013 Boston Marathon finisher medals for sale on eBay. They noted that only one of the sellers mentioned making an effort to donate the money to charity.

The man whose company has been manufacturing the finisher medals for the Boston Marathon the past 31 years is disgusted by the attempts of some to capitalize on the tragedy.

“Now that we’re seeing some of the medals being sold on eBay, it’s kind of disgusting in my eyes,” said Dan Ashworth, the president of Ashworth Awards.

“Why would you want it?” Ashworth wonders. “You run the marathon, it’s a personal goal in your life to run a marathon, and it’s something that you achieve personally.”

When Larry Brown Sports checked eBay on Friday evening, we found seven 2013 Boston Marathon finisher medals for sale. The prices ranged from $51 for auctions ending in a few days, to $610 for an auction ending in 10 hours.

One seller said in the description: “Own a piece of history — this medal was available only for official finishers of this historic race.”

Another seller tells potential buyers they can “Own a piece of history!” The seller did, however, add a disclaimer to apologize for anyone who might be offended.

“Just want to add that I am only selling my medal to recoup some cost I incurred from the tragic events that happened. Hotels are not cheap and I am not rich. Sorry if the auction offends anyone, that is not the intent,” the seller writes.

The $610 auction, which attracted 28 bids, offered the full package: a medal, runner passport, race-day bag, and marathon sticker (seen below):

One seller said in the sales description that they would donate the proceeds to The One Fund Boston charity created by the Boston mayor and Massachusetts governor. The seller also says he already donated $250 to the fund.