A finishers medal for a sprint... ???? (Page 3)

Forums

Forum guidelines BT super discount

Updated posts

My threads
No new posts

My favorite threads

General Discussion

Triathlon Talk » A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

Rss Feed

Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller

of 3

jsklarz

2009-08-01 9:24 AM

in reply to: #2320398

New Haven, CT

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

my 5 year old loves when I give her finishers meddles. personally I could care less as long as there is beer and doughnuts at the end.

My Race Log

msmogreen

2009-08-01 11:19 AM

in reply to: #2320398

Veteran

215

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

I personally don't care either way, although in my first tri I was actually surprised when they threw one around my neck at the finish. I guess it was mentioned on the website, but I hadn't given it a second thought. It's a good way to keep track of the events you've done, I guess. I didn't realize this was so common...this particular tri was a local fundraiser that was family oriented and had an event for the smallest kids (so cute). So, I thought it was just a fun thing. As for t-shirts--if I have to option to buy or not, I won't, but if I have no choice I like 'free' clothes. I can sleep in it or wear it to the gym. I like t-shirt mementos. Or get it in large and give it to my bf who wears free t-shirts around the house pretty much always.

My Race Log

bufordt

2009-08-01 12:08 PM

in reply to: #2320426

New user

327

Subject: RE: A medal for a sprint... ????

>well, they don't give finishers medals for 5K's... ya know?

but they do for 1/2 marathons, which takes close to the same time to complete. Actually many of the 5k races that I've done have included a finishers "something-or-other" and I think that's silly, so i guess we all draw the line somewhere. But really, why give finisher medals for HIM and IM? Does that little trinket make your accomplishment any more impressive? All of my finisher medals are in a box in my garage so you can tell how much they mean to me.

My Race Log

Gaarryy

2009-08-01 12:41 PM

in reply to: #2321337

Champion

8540

the colony texas

Subject: RE: A medal for a sprint... ????

My sister and I do a local 5k every year... Our finishers reward is whoever finishes first gets a extra cup and goes to save the others place in the beer line...
I"ve told them that they should just give out little cups at the finish to speed me to the beer line..

My Race Log

dbrawders

2009-08-01 1:08 PM

in reply to: #2320398

Extreme Veteran

844

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

if you think they're not worth your time, then donate them here:
http://www.medals4mettle.org/

They will mean much more to someone who receives them from that think that they're garbage or whatever.

Personally, I think a finisher's medal is fine.. I show my kids, let them wear/have them.. They are EXTREMELY proud of mommy/daddy and think the medal is the coolest thing in the world.. to me, seeing them react the way they do and hear how they want to train like mommy/daddy so they can get a medal too is priceless.. it doesn't mean that I need one to be a role model for my kids, but if it helps ignite the interest in various sports, etc. i'm all for it.

My Race Log

gearboy

2009-08-01 1:12 PM

in reply to: #2320493

Pro

6767

the Alabama part of Pennsylvania

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

chrisbowers - 2009-07-31 6:09 PM Well now I am disappointed. I have done two sprints and an Oly this year and haven't gotten a medal for any of them. Man, I think I'm getting the shaft.

Anyway, I do agree that the t-shirt and food is good enough for me on the sprints, but make sure they don't forget the beer.

x2. I used to do a lot of tri's in the late 80's, early 90's, mostly oly's, and never got a medal. Although the Bud Light series used to give you a pin. And I did 3 sprints last year, with not a medal in sight (being BOP, I mean that both as finisher or placing). I remember talking a co-worker last year, who does mary's and 1/2 mary's. She was surprised that given the effort involved in training that I never got a medal. Never thought about it till then.

My Race Log

E=H2O

2009-08-01 1:28 PM

in reply to: #2320398

Master

1325

Lake Oswego, OR

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

What's with all the trash talking about sprints. I train for them just as hard as I do an Oly and race them all out. Do you think they should just give out ribbons at swim events that are shorter than 200 meters? I know some people may feel either go long or don't go at all, but some of us like the intensity of the short (75 minute?) sprint.

I hate cheap generic medals, but I still have certain medals hanging from my floor lamp next to my desk. They are either special events with cool medals like Alcatraz or USMS 5K OW, or simply a medal that is unique like the one from the San Francisco tri with the skyline of SF. Some events know how to get it right. Both times I did the Deschutes Dash Sprint they gave out really cool medals that I've held onto. However I admit they do mean more if they were only given to the top 3 in each AG like my 5K OW medal. I also like the thiner neck ribbons on the medals because they are easier to hang. :-)

Edited by E=H2O 2009-08-01 1:45 PM

(IMG_1993.jpg)

(IMG_1994.jpg)

(IMG_1989.jpg)

(IMG_1987.jpg)

(IMG_1996.jpg)

Attachments
----------------
IMG_1993.jpg (48KB - 1 downloads)
IMG_1994.jpg (35KB - 0 downloads)
IMG_1989.jpg (30KB - 0 downloads)
IMG_1987.jpg (39KB - 1 downloads)
IMG_1996.jpg (34KB - 1 downloads)

My Race Log

D.K.

2009-08-01 1:32 PM

in reply to: #2321388

Pro

4612

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

gearboy - 2009-08-01 2:12 PM

A medal is just another object that adds to my pile of "not very useful" things. I can do without.
The past race I did 3 weeks ago I came in 2nd in female overall aquabike. But there were only a total of 6 aquabikers (all of us with some sort of injuries that made us unable to run) in the oly distance the RD decided to give out medals for the first place only. It is the only placement medal I had ever got in my 4 years of doing multisports. No medal doesn't take away the fact that I came in second.

My Race Log

LazyMarathoner

2009-08-01 1:35 PM

in reply to: #2321405

Pro

4608

Brooklyn, NY

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

E=H2O - 2009-08-01 2:28 PM

Totally agree. I'm not fast enough to do well in sprints and have always preferred long and slow for pretty much any sport. I don't think the distance should dictate the merit of an award.

My Race Log

E=H2O

2009-08-01 1:55 PM

in reply to: #2321411

Master

1325

Lake Oswego, OR

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

LazyMarathoner - 2009-08-01 11:35 AM

E=H2O - 2009-08-01 2:28 PM

Totally agree. I'm not fast enough to do well in sprints and have always preferred long and slow for pretty much any sport. I don't think the distance should dictate the merit of an award.

I still love the look on peoples faces when I tell them I raced a "sprint" triathlon and it took me 1:15. They wonder why I even bother training if it takes me so long to sprint, and whether there was anyone left around by the time I came in.

My Race Log

ump107

2009-08-01 3:25 PM

in reply to: #2320398

Member

Central NJ

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

I’ve only completed 2 sprints so far, both NJ state. In 2008 they gave finishers hats that was cool it was something I could wear around for a week or so silently bragging about what I did. I’m not much of a hat wearer but I keep it in my jeep for when I know I’ll be out in the sun a long time (bald by choice). This year they gave out a finisher’s medals it was cool the day of the race everyone who finished got one and you could see everyone wearing theirs around after the event. On the back of the medal was a place for you to have your name and time engraved.

Neat idea I may actually do this as a reminder of my event. But what I started doing after my first tri and I have done for the 5k I ran was I took my bib number and on the back of it, I wrote all my times. This then has been hung on the wall near my bike, kind of a race wall of memories small wall but will get bigger (yes I am a bit off). As for the medal I can go either way with it. I do like the concept of receiving something that says, “I entered and finished my race”. Everyone gets a shirt whether they finish the race or not, they can even be bought the day of the race. The medal is neat and I could live without it, but I have to say I like it, and it will last longer than the hat. But I’m not going to be wearing it in public after the race.

My Race Log

Bearintheair2000

2009-08-11 11:16 PM

in reply to: #2320398

Veteran

204

Jacksonville, Fl

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

I only have two as of yet. One for a Half Mary, and one for a "My First Tri" even though it wasn't.

When I finished my first Oly, there was no medal, but I gave my Mom a big sweaty hug, and that was better.

My Race Log

platdaddy

2009-08-12 10:01 AM

in reply to: #2320398

Member

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

I just wanna know where my freakin medals are? I did my first two sprints and I got hosed....no medal.....

My Race Log

JorgeM

2009-08-12 10:20 AM

in reply to: #2320398

Coach

10487

Boston, MA

Subject: RE: A finishers medal for a sprint... ????

meh, I don't care either way, now the 1st thing I do when I get a finishers medal is to give it to a kid or tell the volunteers i don't need one. I used to save them but they would just collect dust on my room hence I ended up tossing them away. I don't even have anymore my 1st medal from my 1st Tri, marathon, my 1st Ag win or even my 1st OA win, now I only save cool awards like Endorfun Maple Syrup! I rather get a cool tech Tshirt that I will use and wear for training. Plus, I don't need to look at a medal to remember x or y race, for that I use this things called pictures and I can always go back to my race log here on BT and read my race reports.

Edited by JorgeM 2009-08-12 10:21 AM

My Race Log

Sager

2009-08-12 10:25 AM

in reply to: #2321337

Subject: RE: A medal for a sprint... ????

bufordt - 2009-08-01 1:08 PM >well, they don't give finishers medals for 5K's... ya know? but they do for 1/2 marathons, which takes close to the same time to complete. Actually many of the 5k races that I've done have included a finishers "something-or-other" and I think that's silly, so i guess we all draw the line somewhere. But really, why give finisher medals for HIM and IM? Does that little trinket make your accomplishment any more impressive? All of my finisher medals are in a box in my garage so you can tell how much they mean to me.

I got a finishers medal for a 5k, The New Charles River Run in Boston. It was kinda nice on race day and then I donated it to a charity. Dont remember the name of the charity off hand but there was a post about it on here about a month ago. I think they turn them into gifts for kids with terminal diseases or something like that.

E=H2O

2009-08-12 10:34 AM

in reply to: #2343731

Master

1325