Race day swag (Page 2)

Not sure what I'd do with a 3rd race belt.  Unless it was a something a bit more functional, like a SpiBelt style thing.  Socks are always needed- and the aforementioned running hats or visors, as you always need another of those as well.

Given how cheap they are these days- how about those little LED cap clip running lights? 

I like the idea, but I wouldn't give up my SpiBelt to use it.

Make it a SpiBelt and putting a well designed image/word on the Spi part might be fun...This is too logn but something like... "after I ran XYZ race I ate so much my tummy was THIS big" with THIS on the SPI part.  Just a thought.

It's not required, important, or a draw to a race. I'm there to race, and the schwag is just stuff.

That said, occasionally I am in the hunt for a t-shirt or mug or whatever - and yes, Rev3 schwag is the standard. It's awesome. However, I'd still rather it be my decision to buy it, rather than the RD buying it for me, and charging me through the entry fee.

The optimal scenario would be no schwag, lower entry fee, with the option to pre-order or buy schwag at the expo. This way you only get the stuff you want, when you want it, and only the designs or items you want.  

There is race i do that has tech shirts- last year had womens sizes ( not promoted but a nice treat at packet pick up), a drawstring bag and a beach towel -  I love the towel, can never have too many of them since I live at the beach.  The expo is good and they sell the previous year's stuff at a super discount too.   The price isnt bad for a half/full marathon.  I like the race so I do it every year but the schwag doesnt hurt either.   Body Glide samples dont hurt either.  This race is partially sponsored  by a local grocery store and they always give out food samples- I pick up my pre race oatmeal breakfast every year.  

Pretty cool.  Different is good.

For the 5k my wife and I (well, mostly my wife) put on we give out nice running socks. 

I've never gone to a race for the schwag, but must admit if it was really good the year before then it's something I look forward to. If it cost me an extra $5 on the entry I don't see it so don't particularly care. An extra $20 and I'd opt out if it was available.

Schwag to me is usually indicative of the quality of the organization of the race (rightly or wrongly). I always imagine everything but the t-shirt is donated as a promotional item.

Have yet to get a race shirt I've wanted to wear (bad color, size, material, too many graphics, retina damaging to look at, etc.) so don't see much of value in those. A coffee mug sounds like a great idea. I have a real appreciation for functional items. A towel, even a small one, is also a great idea. A race belt is only good for a small number of people, ie. first timers who continue racing. If this represents a large portion of your target audience then it could be good, once. If they come back the second year the impact/value would be near zero for them. Same for finishers medals.

Unless the schwag was *amazing* it wouldn't play any role in my wanting to return to a race. It tends to all be the same, and of so little value it really doesn't matter. I'm guessing most first timers have no expectations of schwag and most veterans are bored by it (except for food samples), so it's not terribly high on the importance list.

Race day swag or lack thereof is of no concern to me when deciding whether or not to sign up for a race.

But, of course, it's nice to receive good stuff.  Here's stuff that I've gotten in race packets that I appreciated:

Towel

Technical T-Shirt

Water Bottle

Running Jacket

Headband

Keychains, coozies, and magnets I have no use for at all.  Coupons/advertisements almost always get trashed immediately.  Rule of thumb:  If it's something that a triathlete would use while training or racing, then it makes a welcome swag item for a triathlon.  Otherwise... maybe, but probably not.

If your going to give out water bottles, why not use a good quality one(unlike St. A's)?  A bottle thats not insultaed get's passed on to the kid for spraying me on the course or his lemonade stand.

My biggest thing would be....no paper ads or flyers.  Sure I look at them as I stand over my recycle bin and toss them.  This has been brought up before, somewhere about a green race of sorts.  Most of those ads are junk anyways and no "real" value.

How about if you do paper, make it for 50% off bike fitting at the local bike shop who sponsered you.  They did it at Sand Key last year and i LOVED it. It's a great way for the shop to sell you new products, get you in the door and build a lasting relationship.  Its easy to track the usage as well since you actually have to present the coupon to get the discount. 

What I would really like, maybe a headsweat skull cap??

Love the running shorts idea instead of a Tshirt.

No cotton T-Shirts please.

Why not do this?  Set a preregistration date, and anyone registered by that date can pick any one of your three best options (Shirt, backpack, hat, bag, racebelt, whatever). for the big item.

Everyone after that date gets the default option.

Win win?  A few more preregister and the athlete can pick what they can use.