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What Does Your Race Fee Get You?

Just a quick one: I wanted to show you that with races, you really get what you paid for.

Example 1: this is what an $80 trail half marathon will get you:


A cute pink tech shirt that---wait for it--fits!

Example 2: this is what a $20 local 5k race will get you:



Really, no words are necessary. 

What's the best swag you've ever gotten from a race?
I think this pink tech shirt might be it--it's really nice, pink with orange trim and I love it!!


Comments

  1. Have Your WayMay 31, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I ran my first 5k in April and the shirt I got is a mens small and I can def. swim in it. So I dont wear it, I havent even tried it on but I know its too big for me. I like the pink shirt its super cute!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ATTrioMay 31, 2011 at 11:23 AM

    My favorite thing that I got from a race was when I did the Nike race. They give out really nice running t-shirts that fit great!
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. Neon Blonde RunnerMay 31, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    I guess the 5k shirt will make for a good pajama top?

    I like any race that gives out a little medal award, makes me feel special. I won 1st overall woman once and all I got was a discount coupon for a future race. It was a small race, but they really could have done better.

    But when I really think about it, it wasn't a big deal, I didn't run the race to get a prize anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  4. KaylaMay 31, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    I love the shirt that I got from my first half. It fits amazing! The Rock n Roll Shirts are always huge on me, so I am not a fan of those!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ruthMay 31, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    lol I have this problem ALL THE TIME... I really am picky about race shirts. Thankfully more races (like the one I ran yesterday) allows you the option of no shirt and you get a discount. but I guess I really run the race to get the glory of a handful of spectators and the high of crossing that finish line :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. JuliaMay 31, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    ohhh from a 10k in january we got tech shirts that fit! and tickets to their theater (the sponsors of the race)...it was awesome! Plus there was pizza post-race. I love pizza! hhaha! That trail race shirt is cute! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. JMay 31, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    The races around here are pretty good - Usually i am able to get a small shirt or tech shirt that firts well. Sometimes I get cotton tshirts that are just horrible so I use them as pjs!

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMay 31, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Hands down the best SWAG- Nike Women's Half in San Fran. I received a cute pink shirt similar to yours as well as a ......wait for it.....Tiffany Co. necklace. Not sure anything will ever top that!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 12:53 PM

    ugh I hate when they give away just cotton shirts. I have gotten some fun athletic quick dry stuff. But Im tired of shirts I would like something else..a race waterbottle perhaps?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Stephanie FMay 31, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    hahah this is hilarious. i didn't know there were "better" tees out there.

    and your comment on my birthday post... hahahhahaha i hoped that one would get some laughs. : )

    ReplyDelete
  11. BethMay 31, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    I totally agree with Emily, the Nike Women's marathon had the best shirts and medals of course!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lisa@The Daily RUNdownMay 31, 2011 at 1:15 PM

    My 5k shirt is actually nicer than my half marathon shirt!
    The half shirt is this ugly green and the sponser's are all over it. The 5k shirt is white and simple. Neither one of them fit me though :(

    ReplyDelete
  13. RunToTheFinishMay 31, 2011 at 1:27 PM

    you know i have found there is just no guarantee...some big fee races have ended up giving me poooooo for swag. However, it is true that I rarely expect a wearable shirt from the small races

    ReplyDelete
  14. VMay 31, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Cute pink tee! In my experience, race price and race swag haven't always correlated-- sometimes I walk away from expensive races with oversized cotton tees, and some small races have given out some pretty snazzy goodies. My favorite race goodies are a hand-held water bottle (I always carry it on long runs-- it doesn't bother me like the belts do!) and a fantastic rain jacket!

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownMay 31, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    LOL! I so agree. I give all my big race shirts to good will or use them as pj's.

    ReplyDelete
  16. ChristinaMay 31, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    The marathon I ran had the best swag. Tons of stuff, plus the shirt was amazing. My favorite workout shirt hands down. It's a long sleeve tech T but the most comfy one ever!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AlisaMay 31, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    I have a berber fleece vest and a really awesome jacket. It's supposed to be a running jacket, but it's too heavy for me. I don't need an extra five pounds to carry! I live in t-shirts, so I love getting those as my swag. I assume they will be too big and order the size down and so far that has worked for me and they all fit!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rachelle WardleMay 31, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Awww I love it when the shirt actually fits. I have actually got some great shirts from races lately and yesterday I ran a 5k for free so I can't complain.

    I have gotten some pretty good swag from races and then others that are way expensive have had awful shirts and swag so you just never know.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    I ran a 5k last spring sponsored by Krusteaz pancakes. There was a pro runner in the racer who wore a giant pancake costume. Any one who beat him, won a year supply of krusteaz pancakes. He ran a 17 min 5k, and there were 6 or 7 of us that beat him. I have some pretty funny pictures

    ReplyDelete
  20. JennÊ»s AdventureÊ»sMay 31, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    You're so cute--I love BOTH shirts on you!

    PS: I heart yellow:)

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownMay 31, 2011 at 3:09 PM

    My least favorite race, a half, had the best tech tees. They are women's (not unisex, yay!) and black. I wear it all the time.

    It's funny, because I don't really want to advertise that crummy race at all.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Daniella @ Runner at HeartMay 31, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    I love my two long sleeve shirts from the Boston Marathons

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    My best swag bag was from a $35 half mary, which came with a shirt, mug, finsher medal, result book and finisher certificate

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 5:51 PM

    The run I'm doing this Saturday has a BBQ! And the money is all going to the school's after school program.

    ReplyDelete
  25. ElleMay 31, 2011 at 5:55 PM

    The only race I have paid to enter was a 5 km Resolution Run on Jan 1st, 2008. For the $40 fee I got a very nice nylon running jacket and a wonderful pancake and fruit with all the trimmings breakfast afterwards. It was put on by a national running shoe/clothing store.

    ReplyDelete
  26. misszippyMay 31, 2011 at 6:41 PM

    I'm old school on this one--I'd rather forego a shirt altogether and pay a smaller fee. My drawers are overflowing with shirts now!

    ReplyDelete
  27. TheRavenousMommyMay 31, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    LOL! That's a good shirt! Most of them are really big!

    ReplyDelete
  28. SbMacMay 31, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Yea I can post on here this time....anyways I will say it again..the 15k we do here gives out beer glasses in their goodie bags. Then there is free beer at the finish line! Not a big beer drinker but it did taste better after 9miles!

    ReplyDelete
  29. stoppingfordaisiesMay 31, 2011 at 8:18 PM

    Lol so true! Wait, I've only done the 1 5k... but yeah my shirt doesn't fit.

    ReplyDelete
  30. CynthiaMay 31, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    If it's a 5k and they have an option not to get the shirt I don't if its cotton.

    But I got some nice swag at the Portland Marathon last year, 2 tech shirts (short sleeve and long), a commemorative coin, necklace

    At the Tacoma You Go Girl half marathon I got a pink duffle bag that is great for carrying gym clothes and also a bondi band and finishers necklace.

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousMay 31, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    In the 10K I did a few weeks ago they gave us huge duffle bags. It's not exactly pretty, but it's handy to have... and a nice change from a t-shirt!

    ReplyDelete
  32. LaurenJune 1, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    I don't know what the shirts will be like (I just hope mine fits!), but I've seen pics of the finisher medals for the race I'm doing this month (holycrap THIS MONTH!), and they are definitely worth the fee. :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Jess @ Blonde PonytailJune 1, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    you are adorable V!!! Best swag was my Running from the Angel HM shirt...it had wings on the back!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Jess A @cajunrunnerjessJune 1, 2011 at 9:04 PM

    I ran the Warrior Dash and the finishers got a medal and a t-shirt (that wasn't too oversized) with a fabric/faux fur warrior helmet.

    ReplyDelete

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