Yesterday alone I got 3 emails from directors: One previewing the medal for a May race, complete with dimensions.
Call me old fashioned but I kind of like it when the medal is a secret until I cross the finish line. The other two dangled the copious contents of their goodie bags as an incentive to register.
While I am not immune to the magnetism of a fabulous medal–who could resist the come hither glances of honest Abe on this giant penny medal?
I’m still coveting one of these surfboard numbers the Surf City series offers–I do not sign up for races on swag alone. I mean how many hoodies, duffle bags, shorts, socks, hats, insert swag item of choice here, does one need?
For me, date, location, distance, and price all need to work before swag comes into consideration. I wonder how many people would be doing the Dopeys, Goofys, Dumbos and other mega race series out there if the swag did not dazzle? Not that there’s any shame at all in collecting swag.
It seems to be the trend though that even races as small as 5k are coughing up finisher swag and I can’t help but wonder how much more popular they are because of it? Whatever gets us off the couch is a good thing, I guess.
What say you? Is mega swag a passing fad? Here to stay? A good thing? Or an extraneous aspect of racing that drives prices up? Do you like to see the medal before the race?
Make the most of every day
I LOVE medals and go for them but race entries are starting to get a smidge over the top!
Swag does seem to be all the rage these days – even more and more virtual races are offering medals! And while I do love bling as much as the next girl, I’d rather forgo most of the swag for more affordable races. I’d rather race directors focus on a well-run race experience than all the other hoopla.
It wasn’t until recently that I started caring about swag and medals. But now, there are so many races out there to pick from that swag and medal quality is definitely something I evaluate when looking at potential races! Although, in many instances I would definitely love to have a lower registration fee in lieu of the race shirt, hat, bag, whatever. I’ve got more race shirts than I could possibly ever wear.
I like different medals but don’t really want super big ones. I have ever been swayed to do a race by the medal.
Swag, bling, post race parties don’t factor in to any races I run. All my medals end up in a shoe box and I don’t wear 80% of the shirts-hoodies that are given out. I just look for races based on how well it’s organized, weather, ease for me to get to the location… I like running for runnings sake and don’t need any extra trinket for my collection 😉
Quite frankly I do so many races that I rather have less swag and less fees. Maybe that’s why I’m growing to prefer trail races over glam road races.
I am definitely of the camp that would prefer no swag and lower prices! But I’m old-fashioned and cranky like that, so I understand that it attracts a crowd to these races and it is probably here to stay.
That is SUPER good swag! What a fun week! :)-Ashley
I am all about the swag and I dont hide from that fact. I am a self proclaimed “Bling Diva” the shinier, the more interested I am in the race. Personally, I would like to see race shirts go away and more money put into the finisher medal. Bags, hoodies, jackets, meh, they are nice, but doesnt make or break me signing up. To me, it is all about the finisher medal.
Also, in my opinion, endurance sports is the new midlife crisis. Green fees are replaced with race registrations and golf clubs have been replaced with expensive gear. The race directors are aware of this and this is why there are so many races to choose from. Race directors are now competing for your dollar and the more bang for your buck is how they are going to get you interested in their race.
I’d rather have an inexpensive race in a cool location than swag, but I totally understand the fascination.
A nice medal always brings a smile to my face, but certainly not the reason a run race– and I feel awkward accepting a medal for a 5K that I did not win.
I need to sign up for a race before I can win a medal I suppose…..
hmm Well I think I’m turning from the races I know with crappy swag aka The Shamrock Shuffle in favor of a better quality swag. My races will be limited this year so I don’t want to shell out money for just a thin race shirt.
I do agree that a medal should be kept secret a little bit i.e. I would be peeved if it was a quarter size medal when the race price tag was very high! kwim?
I get so bummed to have the medal revealed before the race, too! I like the surprise.
I am so not in it for all the goodies, but I know a few people who are, so I bet that trend is here to stay 😉
I’m pretty sure I’ve said this before but way back in my true racing days (grad school time period), there was no swag. A race cost about $15 and you got a T-shirt and a medal if you placed.
The whole swag thing is out of control, IMHO. It was one thing to get a medal for a full or half marathon but now people want them for a 5K. It reminds me of when my kids played soccer and they got participation trophies at the end of the season.
I’m not in it for the swag…it’s all about the accomplishment. But that shiny penny medal has me rethinking all of this… 😛
If swag and bling was important to me I’d probably enter very few races. Often our race kit bags have little more than advertising leaflets in them. If we get a sample packet of something edible then I feel like we’ve really scored. Occasionally a shirt is on offer but a lot of those are so badly designed (men’s shirts don’t always fit so well on women) that I chuck them out.
Keep up the good work. There is nothing harm in participating. You can always take it as a routine exercise.
I’m not a swag person at all. I usually pick races based on my running goals (weather, the course, time of year, cost to get there). It would be nice if races offered the option to take $5-10 off the entry fee and not get a shirt or swag.
This year I’m also a first time race director for a remote trail race in the redwoods. I’ve already had people ask what the shirt is going to be like and sort of bullying me saying it better not be cotton. Then they ask if the 30K and 10 mile have a medal. If you win the race, sure you’re going to get an award. Otherwise you get your t-shirt, an accurate course and a finish time. How far do people think a $30 entry fee is gonna get them, especially in a race as remote as this one? I have to have my water stations brought in by horse because there’s no road access. That’s what the entry fee is going for. If you want all the fanfare and hoopla, go sign up for a Disney race.
I am not into medals/over the top swag. I like a nice tech shirt with a good fit if the race fees are high. This may seem ironic b/c I love free things! I think it is. I do love getting freebies and goodies at race expos! I don’t display race stuff so medals- even cool ones sit idle around here. I prefer cheaper race entry and an organized run!
So funny.
I don’t care about the medals. However, when I did run the Lincoln Presidental 1/2 last year, I thought it was cool that my medal was like a penny! I do like the swag, but it doesn’t make or break a race.
I’d much prefer to pay $20 for a race & not have all the goodies. The price of races is really out of control. BUT, we keeep signing up! Hmmmm.
I’m in the cheaper race camp. My medals sit in a drawer somewhere and almost never see the light of day. Maybe if I raced more or had a nice place to display them I would be more interested in the medal.
i’ve been eyeing that lincoln medal for several years now and still bitter I did RNR Chicago as my IL race. I will eventually do that one for sure. I do think that the swag makes a difference-but i’m not necessarily willing to pay more for a hoodie, hat, etc. I’ve done plenty of races with great swag WITHOUT a big price tag. I think Disney just rips people off because they can and they are disney. They swag is not good there. I do like seeing the medal before the race..but it’s all social media driven I think-to get people to sign up.