I filled a survey from a race management company and one of the questions asked was about your interest in race t-shirts. It then asked if you’d be interested in technical t-shirts. (It also asked if you’d pay $5 more for the tech T.) I’ve seen one local tri that is giving out tech T’s, as well.
Now, I get a flyer in the mail for the Carlsbad 5000 (5k foot race) and they’ll be giving out tech T’s.
I think this is a sign of things to come. Everyone seems pretty much over the standard cotton T.
It’s a good marketing draw. you know how tech geeky we all are. If you had the option to do a race with a normal T (which you already have tons of) or do one with a Tech T which would you pick? Works great to draw more entrants to a particular race. You gotta stand out if you want to keep standing:)
It’s surprising to me that it has taken them this long to figure it out and offer better Ts. The survey also asked if you would give up your (standard) T, essentially donating the cost to a charity - which I said Yes. Now with a tech T… hmmm… have to think about that.
As an RD, I think part of the problem for a long time was finding a supplier that wasn’t charging $18-27 a shirt before screen printing costs. Now that more suppliers are stocking tech style shirts prices are coming down and the option is there. I was at Ironman Wisconsin, first IM race outside of Canada and I made a point to see how many athletes wore race shirts that were tech. I think I saw 2 all week which was interesting. We provide tech shirts and as soon as we did the feedback was really positive. The only thing was that female racers wanted a tech shirt with a “female” cut.
Should be interesting to see if races change over to technical gear in the next few years as other races do.
I usually pass on the clothing. Tech shirts are just a phase that will soon pass, though it will dent the industry sort of: No more buying teck shirts from Adidas or wherever, just use the ones you won in races.
Races need to come up with more original swag (some already do) … Soon we’ll all have too many tech T-shirts. I already have acquired 5 in the last year. Problem is my cat ruins them (one swat and you have an unfixable 6-inch run). My Onion Man one, which is long sleeve and warm, is a mess. I want another!
I haven’t done near as many races as some of you but I bet I have acquired 50 T-shirts and sweatshirts over the last 10 years. I still must have like 20-30 of them. The rest are rags or are still worn in Gabon or somewhere.
The LA Tri gave tech shirts by Brooks last year, I like it. The Pacific Shore half Marathon in Huntington Beach is also giving tech shirts this year. The full runners are getting mp3 players NICE.( but the full sold out fast). I hope RD keep it up.
I’d even be willing to pay 80 or 90% of the cost of the technical gear on top of the normal race fees to have a souvenir that I could actually wear to train in. I have yet to get a shirt from a race that I wear, except for dirty jobs around the house. Oh, and that one time I was helping my little brother learn to tie-die and we used all my race shirts as testers. In fact, doing that made me wonder if it would be cool to have tie-die supplies at the race so that while the athletes were out and about all the poor spouses who were doing their diligent waiting could “personalize” their race shirts. I know tie-die ended a couple of decades ago, but still… it was just an idea.
seeing that big time in these parts. i’d say minimum of half the events i do around Michigan now present technical shirts or jerseys as race prems.
Wayne Brown, the RD of Great Lakes Triathlon Championships, really got the ball rolling around here in this arena several years back. 3 Disciplines picked up on it and offers techical wear prems at most every race now. Three Rivers and Shermanator* are two other notable events here which offer techical wear.
RD’s should be considering this as a cost/benefit item for race promotion. it is huge. you see these jerseys worn at lots of other events and during training. can’t tell you how many times i’ve heard on the order of, “…i’m doing that one this year. i want one of those…”
(*shameless promotion from a race committee volunteer)
My wife did a NY Road Runners Club race last year and they gave out buffs (like on Survivor) with the race logo and date. That was kind of cool to have.
Personally I’m past the whole “let me wear this shirt so that I can show everyone that I can complete (insert race name and distance)” thing. Disclaimer - I’m competing in IMLP '06. God willing after finishing I will buy one of everything they sell right down to the toilet paper cozy. I’m not that grown up yet.
With the cost of entry fees I would GLADLY take use of a non tshirt discount.
Oh yeah, division winners at the Pacific Coast Regional Championship race in Newport Beach, CA received DeSoto Tri Tops emblazoned with the race name and the word ‘Champion’, That’s pretty cool, but the color choice… Celeste (Bianchi Green). Oh, I guess that works for some people.