more excess race swag that has no place or will never be used again

I must be lucky because I can use most of the stuff I get.

Mostly I get:

Running hats -- train and race with them
Shirts -- train in them (if they are technical, and they almost always are)
Socks --  train in them

In fact, my socks are starting to wear out, as I haven't gotten many for a while  Do you hear me Setup Events?  Socks please...

Medals, I couldn't care less, but my kids like to play with them.  Trophies, I have no idea where they are, or even whether I still have them.  I would much prefer useful stuff (like socks...) as podium prizes.

donate the clothes and hats to goodwill or salvation army. The medals could go to a local elementary school, they could use them to give to the kids as prizes for participation in school activities.

If only they gave away race VISORS. I use those while running. I don't like full caps. Never gotten socks before @ a race. That would be sweet AND useful!

Funny, I just did a sprint race that gives away the best swag that I use: bike socks, good bike bottle, running visor, race belt, good shirt, etc.  Made the race swag from my HIM look puny.  I use most of the stuff or give it away.  Finishers medals the kids love.  Never received a trophy from Tri's.  I have heard of donating medals for some use but can't remember what.  Will look for the article on it.

South Carolina HIM gave away visors last year (not sure about this year as I didn't do it).  Come on down and do the race!  I do like it for running when it is 500 degrees here.

Here's my suggestion:  Contact your local RD(s).  Let them know what you think.  Talk it up at the race ("Hey, wouldn't it be cool if they gave out visors next year?  Let's mention that to the RD.)  A good RD will listen to that sort of thing.

REV3 gave away nice headsweats brand visors at the Cedar point HIM/IM this year.

My last Oly down here gave away a visor, among other things.  Pretty nice.

My wife organized a 5k last year - the race swag was a t-shirt and technical socks.  The winners got...wait for it...more socks.  (I pushed for the socks).  The folks loved it.  Unusual and something that will always get used.

You can donate finisher's medals to this organization, Medals 4 Mettle.
http://www.medals4mettle.org/donate.htm
 

If it's stuff you think others might use, especially folks new to the sport, you could try posting it in the Pay it Forward thread in BT's classified section. Maybe somebody out there can use of some of it!

I have donated my medals to our local hospitals pediatric department to give to kids who are sick. Sometimes they are given in the ER when the kids have to undergo painful procedures. I have had very positive feedback from the pediatricians. If you are intrested in donating your medals send me a pm!

This.....
I go to our local Children's Hospital in town every couple of weeks and take Triathlons for Transplants T-shirts to the kids.  Tell them they are part of the team and what not.  Huge smiles. 

I stop at the nurses station on the way in and ask if any of the kids have had a rough week.  They know me and what I do there so they give me the lowdown and I give away finishers medals that I have won or that we have left over (we run three races here in town) and they can't wait to put them on. 

I showed up at a kids room that was fighting against cancer two weeks after I gave him a medal and he still had it on.  His Mom told me that he refused to take it off.  The next time I went back he had been released to go home.  Seems like he earned that medal, didn't he? 

I also take in water bottles and hats (since I wear a team visor).  The kids with cancer love the hats. 

For the water bottles, I give many of them away to people when I work on their bikes.  I'm sure if you know any kids who ride, they would think a real race water bottle is the absolute coolest!

I saw an ad once for a company that turned race t-shirts into blankets. Not manly, I know, but you could always ask a quilter if they'd make one for you and you could donate that, too.