Personally, most of the junk in the swag bags I never use (but did like the Clinique for men stuff this year at IMLP). I do like the tech T-shirts though over cotton T's. That is about all I would ask. Water bottles, coupons, magazines, flyers, etc. - leave it.

Of course a races "value" has nothing to do with what is in the bag, but the course/venue itself ...

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Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

Geez, when I do an event I could care less what is in a goodie bag. I am more pleased when I see a well thought out and safe course with good support, then some BS in a bag. The Chip of Old would have told them to go take a leap ;-).

It would be considerate of you to email or just post on the website what they will get in their goodie bags.

Best of luck on your event.

Welcome to the new "Kinder and more Gentle" Chip. Do I ever feel for RD's...it has been great and I am super excited about the event...oh, and terrified.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

Just heard about this race. Is it USAT? Wondering about a qualifier for LC nationals...

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tinman

If you don't reply you may lose them altogether...

Most of us like the schwag but it's not why you do a race, it's just a nice bonus. I have more t-shirts and water bottles than i'm going to use for several years so I don't really need more. Prizes are irrelevant to most entrants as they won't be getting any. Medals, I don't care. I do like the technical tees as there's more chance I'll actually wear the thing at some point. I do hate races that are sponsored by arrowhead as they only have water on the run and that sucks. Not running out of food at aid stations would be good but I don't think you need to provide a breakfast buffet. I like a nice course and good organization, fun kinda depends on how your own race goes...

You have some great prizes for raffles and the swim, make sure you mention those and the CAF thing.

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Forget speedwork. Speedwork is the icing on the cake and you don't have a cake yet. - MattinSF

Basically they have 9 tenants, live life to the fullest, do not turn the cheak, and embrace the 7 deadly since. - TheForge (on satanists)

It is USAT but not a qualifier for anything but pride.


find more at the site, links in the sig. Or you can call me - phone numbers on the site.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

R10C,

I'm one of those who "may" be there (although I didn't email you) and my decision has nothing to do with swag. My race decisions rest primarily with date/timing and secondly with the course. Beyond that I just want to know that the race is organized at well enough that race day will go smoothly and there won't be problems - at least none so blatent that the interfere with the execution of the race itself. Goodies are nice, but really aren't THE deciding factor.

FYI, regarding participation, I'm torn. Rockman's weekend is one of the only weekends I'm able to get from Ohio to Madison to ride the IMMoo course. On one hand, I'll be driving right through your area. On the other, I doubt I can ride Moo and do Rockman the same weekend. Decisions, decisions...

How are you on volunteers?

I am one of those that will sign up, two of my friends already did, it is always fun to compete against training buddies. Anyway, as long as the course is really well marked, safe, with well stocked aid stations, place to sit down (chairs) after the race, I am good. Technical T is nice but really everything else pretty much ends up in the garbage. See you there June 10th.

Paul
Taking the 35-39AG

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Looking like a color blind super hero!
Damn triathlon.

Can always use more. There will be a special ST party too on Saturday. Madison is about 40 minutes from here. No reason you cant at least join us and hang out. I need to think of something special for the ST'ers - thinking a BBQ at my house Sat night possibly.

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What if the Hokey Pokey is what it is all about?

 
I was going to reply but The Lemming said it better than I could. Focus on putting on a quality, fun and safe event (well marked, people at intersections, etc etc) and the rest will take care of itself. And remember this is the first year; a quality race is built over a number of years as you work out the bugs.

You have a great start already as I see the participant list from this site.

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]
Geez, when I do an event I could care less what is in a goodie bag. I am more pleased when I see a well thought out and safe course with good support, then some BS in a bag. The Chip of Old would have told them to go take a leap ;-).

It would be considerate of you to email or just post on the website what they will get in their goodie bags.

Best of luck on your event.[/reply]

i agree with the tech t. I don't think too many people decide based on that. it just makes you feel better when you see it! plus with h20 bottles you get free publicity all year.

Dan
http://www.aiatriathlon.com

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http://www.aiatriathlon.com

I'm already in, so i guess it doen't matter what I think, but I thought that the price for the race was reasonable for a 1/2 and as long as I'm getting a cool looking tech Tee in the schwag bag I feel like I'm coming out ahead as far a free stuff is concerned.

IMHO I could go with no metals, and no cash prizes in leiu of a well run race with a well marked course (I like mileage markers) with aid stations that have pleanty of ICE on the run. I figure that is what my entry fee is for anyway, not the stuff in the bag. (the water bottle exchange at the halfway of the bike is nice, but I carry enough for the 56 regardless)

i do think it sounds like you have a kick ass raffle at the end, although it is not why I signed up.

cheers

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This is your life, and it's ending one minute at a time. - Fight Club
Industry Brat.

Kona spots or I am not racing. A HIM in Germany just got 15 spots so they are out there.

If the race is half as good sounding as you make it sound, and then add in all the cool stuff you got sponsors to cough up - that's plenty of reason for me to show up.

Have you really gotten those emails? I would never think to email and RD and ask about swag. Change it up a bit. Instead of the tech tee that we all have a billion of, give a nice pair of tri shorts. That would be awesome. That and a cool course would definitely be enough for me.

No shit: everyone had tampons in their swag bags at IMFL 2006. Ladies' razors too.

-C

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

I want a mud pit, two pairs of oversized boxing gloves, and plenty of sacrificial lambs for the post-race entertainment. Anything else is just a prelude to this gladiator contest.

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Dude a good ladies razor is better then a man's razor any day









on the legs at least.

i would be down for a BBQ after, and if there is anything in respect to that that i could help with i would be more than happy too

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Link to my photography
http://davidsavoiephotography.blogspot.com/
http://davidsavoiesports.blogspot.com/

All I ever expect is a well thought out safe course, and a secure transition area. I like tech t's ipo cotton, and a little post race grub is nice. You've done plenty of races, and know what people like and don't. You'll drive yourself nuts if you try to please everyone. If you put effort in a great course, and scrounge up enough knowledgable volunteers to make sure everything goes smoothly, swag will be a distant afterthought for the athletes.

Last time I looked at your site I didn't see info about volunteering.

Easy. Head to Madison on Friday. Ride one loop (starting in Verona) on Saturday morning (~40 miles). Drive down and race on Sunday!

-C

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Any run that doesn't include pooping in someone's front yard is a win.

All I want is estee to greet me at the finish line. Tour de France podium girls eat your heart out.

I'm choosing my races based mostly on location and date, but things that I think are nice are:
A tech t-shirt and frequent, well-stocked and staffed aid stations.
A course that's spectator friendly (don't make my husband drive all over the world so he can make me start and finish)

Above and beyond that I don't really see what would be necessary.