General Discussion Triathlon Talk » social media "bib" profiles for races Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2017-07-25 3:58 PM


701
500100100
Subject: social media "bib" profiles for races
I'm referencing all the "bibs" (for Ironman races) that I see cropping up like weeds this seasons as Facebook profile pics for races....

I'm assuming these aren't actual "bibs" in that they are missing some pertinent information?
Are they coming from the IM brand or is it a 3rd party generator/app?

Just curious. I know it'd be awfully complex to bandit a tri, but 11 foot ladders and all....people can find ways around tons of stuff.
Not that I think it's happening.

Then again, 3 years ago, I had no idea anybody cheated in any way (let alone banditting....it's such a concept that I never would have even thought of in a million years) at marathons except the dude from the 1904 Olympics. Maybe there was some Trivial Pursuit question about someone named Rosie in Boston. But, then I saw it happen here locally (same town as the 1904 Olympics)...then I read about that dentist guy who had taken it to a whole new level. And then I added marathon cheaters to my obsessive fascination list, along with cults and Ancient Egypt. Can't get enough of any of those things.

Just curious as to whether the brand is behind that using it as promotion or if it's 3rd party.

Edited by jhaack39 2017-07-25 3:59 PM


2017-07-26 12:00 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Veteran
221
100100
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races
I'll confess, my FB profile pic is currently my bib for Ohio 70.3 this weekend. Somebody else posted the image for me on the a FB group I'm in, so I just copied that. I tried to figure out how to do it from the official site, but could not so I don't know if they are coming from Ironman or a 3rd party.

I was a little leery about using it because I've always heard you are not supposed to do that with marathon bibs (especially popular, big races) without blocking out part of the number. I figured it would be harder to bandit a tri, so I went ahead and used it for my profile pic.
2017-07-26 12:38 PM
in reply to: tribeagle


701
500100100
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races
Originally posted by tribeagle

I'll confess, my FB profile pic is currently my bib for Ohio 70.3 this weekend. Somebody else posted the image for me on the a FB group I'm in, so I just copied that. I tried to figure out how to do it from the official site, but could not so I don't know if they are coming from Ironman or a 3rd party.

I was a little leery about using it because I've always heard you are not supposed to do that with marathon bibs (especially popular, big races) without blocking out part of the number. I figured it would be harder to bandit a tri, so I went ahead and used it for my profile pic.


Don't get me wrong....I'm not knocking it at all. $100 bucks says I would have done it before I knew what banditting was (which was just 2 weeks ago).
I'd still give it slightly less than even odds I'd, at the very least consider it....I do triathlons after all, and I'm just as guilty as the next guy for talking about it.

I think to bandit a tri, especially a branded one, you'd have to really up your game. Then again, there's that marathon dentist dude who went to great lengths including making up an entire race, complete with website, results, and an imaginary RD.

In the end, I think my curiosity is whether that's 3rd party or the brand. If it's not the brand, they should be on this and recognize it's a "thing" and create their own "completely safe to use" version. Just another instance of that brand not recognizing opportunity when it knocks. I'll add it to my list of missed opportunities....

1. "selling/renting" their own GPS based athlete tracker. I gotta believe they could find a way to manage that with a net revenue greater than whatever they get from a kickback from a license they sell to a 3rd party.
2. A wide selection of branded "thank you" gifts in THEIR shop for spouses, friends, coaches, supporters, sherpas
3. far better capitalization of social media
2017-07-26 12:48 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races

Since I don't have a clue what you are talking about, this must be reason # 3741 why I will NEVER have a social media account.  I just don't get any of it.

2017-07-26 1:02 PM
in reply to: 0


701
500100100
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races
Originally posted by Left Brain

Since I don't have a clue what you are talking about, this must be reason # 3741 why I will NEVER have a social media account.  I just don't get any of it.




There's this new thing where all the cool kids are posting videos of kitties in tri kits riding bikes with the participant's face Face Swapped onto the kitty as they cross the finish line. And then it's followed by a political post where friends turn on each other. And then a 12 page, ad filled clickbait story on "30 things all triathlonners don't find embarrassing. You won't believe #7!!!!!"

Actually...
It just seems like everybody I'm FB friends with who's doing an IM branded event will change their profile picture to what I presume is/would be their bib. Complete with race name, logo, number, and first name. If you know someone's doing a race, you can almost predict when it'll change....within a day or two of the race numbers being released. They appear to be digital, not like text photoshopped on to a real picture of a bib.

It's so prevalent, my assumption was racers were getting an email from Ironman. "Race numbers have been released. Don't forget to change your FB profile picture to let everyone know you're racing! Click here to change your profile." And VOILA...

But then I read about banditting and started wondering.

Edited by jhaack39 2017-07-26 1:03 PM
2017-07-26 1:19 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Pro
15655
5000500050005001002525
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races

Oh.....now that I understand it,  I'll make that reason # 3742 to never have facebook.



2017-07-26 4:06 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Alpharetta, Georgia
Bronze member
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races

The last IM I did (2015) an athlete in the Facebook group was offering to customize them for anyone. I didn't get one, but it was clearly just digital artwork. Fairly easy to piece together.

TOTALLY agree with you on the GPS tracker. I used to rent from MyAthlete but the company went under.

2017-07-28 5:45 PM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image

Regular
694
500100252525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races
Just a basic third party app. Really simple to create. As for why, people love to get excited about their race coming up and this is just one more way. No different than painting the car for the road trip. I am all for doing whatever it takes to promote health, fitness, wellness, racing, triathlon, Ironman etc. Great way for people to recognize and connect.
2017-07-29 5:08 AM
in reply to: jhaack39

User image


1502
1000500
Katy, Texas
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races
Some thoughts:

1. bib lists are available prior to every race to everyone on the planet, so if someone wants a bib number, or your bib number, it won't make a bit of difference whether you post it online or not

2. it's the timing chip that matters, the only thing someone else with a bib number will do is mix up your pictures after the race

3. anyone that does this would be easily found out by the race pictures

4. if someone wants to bandit a race, they could just put any number ever on a fake bib...it's not like they actually check your numbers prior to the race

5. the only thing someone could gain by stealing someone's particular number would be to recreate their wrist band so they could steal your bike. But again, if they wanted to do that, they could do so from the bib list, so it makes not difference, the information is public

6. go ahead and post your bib

To me, this is a lot like people covering their license plate when they post a picture of their car. Ummmm...guess who can see your license plate every day? EVERYONE who drives behind you....EVER. It's not a secret! That's the point of the license plate; it's to let everyone on the planet see it...that's why it's on the OUTSIDE of your car and not the inside. The entire point of the thing is so that everyone and anyone can see it...but when posting a picture of a car online, all of a sudden it's as secret as a credit card number lol.
2017-07-29 10:02 AM
in reply to: 3mar

User image

Regular
694
500100252525
Tucson, AZ
Subject: RE: social media "bib" profiles for races
Timing chip, and the wrist band is pretty important as well.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » social media "bib" profiles for races Rss Feed  
RELATED POSTS

Newbie - Missed 3 weeks of training, should I still race? (1 month til race)

Started by kmariesmyth
Views: 1865 Posts: 13

2016-09-10 10:59 PM MuscleMomma

Bib holder?

Started by Ericallenboyd
Views: 978 Posts: 10

2016-08-01 10:39 AM HaydenHunter

Recovery from OLY (B race)

Started by Cathy0901
Views: 1195 Posts: 9

2016-07-27 5:40 PM Cathy0901

HIM recovery race advice needed

Started by loops
Views: 885 Posts: 6

2016-07-26 3:28 PM loops

3rd race

Started by Rollergirl
Views: 1967 Posts: 25

2016-08-30 1:42 AM Rollergirl