In prior years at the Florida 70.3 race, finishers were given their medal, a shirt and hat after they crossed the line. The shirts and hat all said “finisher” on them. This year, participants were given their hat and shirt at check-in.
Personally, I have a little bit of a problem with that change. I’d much rather receive something that says finisher on it than not. I know this is a small beef in the grand scheme of things, but anyone know what drove that change?
Medals for finishers, and I would guess, although I don’t know, that they gave all tech shirts, which are much more expensive than the finishers cotton t’s of the past. Maybe Tom will chip in, but I feel that it was a good change. Better quality shirt for all, more exposure for the race and sponsor by doing so, and only medals for finishers. Good plan.
Medals for finishers, and I would guess, although I don’t know, that they gave all tech shirts, which are much more expensive than the finishers cotton t’s of the past. Maybe Tom will chip in, but I feel that it was a good change. Better quality shirt for all, more exposure for the race and sponsor by doing so, and only medals for finishers.
Gary,
Well said. How many T-shirts do we need?
I don’t even race any more and I still get handed T-shirts at races for VIP, Media etc . . I have not had to buy a T-Shirt in years. Most end up serving as bike rags - so at least they are being put to good use! 
Thanks Fleck, and I agree. I was very surprised to get a back at check in with hat, Tech shirt, product sample and a $50 off coupon to Branson! All in all, a good value, and all need to realize that the sponsors DO need a bit of play for the cash they dump into the race for us to enjoy. I don’t know much about Rohto, but they must sell a lot of eye drops! In perspective, compared to Fords…
I always have felt Florida 70.3 is a good race, but it seemed even better, with the conditions some of the toughest. All who finished deserved to have pride Sunday, and I told as many as I could that. It was a real test, and I observed a lot of character as I cheered the 6-8 hour finishers down the chute. We’ve got a special sport, and a special group of people it attracts.
I’d suggest printing up your own shirt that reads:
“Please, please ask me about the triathlons I’ve finished. Please”.
Covers all the bases and you don’t have to be concerned with which races do/don’t give out finishers’ t-shirts!!!
I so smart.
last year, I did FL 70.3 as my first “big” tri. I was shocked to not get any hats/shirts when I checked in. I had no clue about the “finisher” gear, so I went and bought a hat (for the race) and shirts as a souvenir. Maybe they are trying to cut down costs on producing the “finisher” gear. Seems like lost money IMO.
I’d suggest printing up your own shirt that reads:
“Please, please ask me about the triathlons I’ve finished. Please”.
I so smart.
I lol’d. I’ve heard the same explanation for getting the m-dot tat in a visible spot. “Please ask me about my IM, please.”
Fleck…
I will say that I like getting the tshirts…although I never wear them (unless it’s a good tech t to train in), but my reasoning is more about leaving something down the road for my kid to find in a box some day a long time from now when I’m gone. Kind of like a legacy of our endurance sport journey. Corny? Probably, but I’ve been called worse! I actually heard about doing this from someone who after their father had passed they found a box full of his marathon tshirts and it was a big deal for the family.
Mine are still just as they gave them to us…some even with tags.
Cheers to our tshirts!!
Hack
I think race directors secretly have a competition to see who can design the ugliest event shirt. I think there is an annual thread on that. If you need a finisher t-shirt to complete your experience then that says a lot about you.
I was at Florida 70.3 in 2008 and the finisher t-shirt was the absolute ugliest puce colored thing with giant stars all over it. I would post a pic but it went straight to bike rag.
I donate most shirts to charity. I always wonder when I will see a homeless dude wearing an IMLP finishers shirt laying on a corner
Why is everybody so down on advertising your passion for a sport or lifestyle. Especially one like ours which is unique. I always find that chances are, I will like talking to that person about the race on there shirt. It opens up a conversation that might not have taken place and they are proud of there accomplishment which is different for everybody. I mean jeez, we are all on here bench racing everyday. I don’t think people are looking to impress the world since we already know the responses we get from the masses in general. More interseting is when someone who is generally interested because they were thinking of trying the sport or have been misinformed or have questions or even better when to gearheads end up becoming freinds because of a hat or shirt that created the conversation. Why should I have to look at Ball sports crap everywhere and be shunned by the “cool” people in my sport because I want to where a cool shirt that has meaning,blood sweat and tears in it. My NYYanks stuff would seem to be even more stupid or a daaaaa Cowboys hat wouldn’t it? What about my Quiksilver logoed stuff or Billabong or Polo or the fricken Nautica I want to be a sailor sh*&. A race t-shirt is un-cool? Then just go home and shut up! Don’t come on here and post. Go to the races and pose and then go back home. Hey, Why race? All the cool people don’t need to go out and prove themselves agianst anybody else. Be a soul surfer! So you people won’t talk to the guy that has the Tat or is wearing a race shirt at the supermarket? Please!!!
Quite honestly though. I’m not a big fan of the medals. I would rather see better food or tech-shirts or socks or something. I look silly walking around the mall with all my medals on the weekends anyway!!
I would say the reason is all about $$$$$
They know that people will spend the money to BUY a finisher shirt so why give them away.
FWIW I did FL70.3 a few years back and the shirt was a cotton one, but it was great quality and very comfortable. The company name escapes me but I think it starts with Z?
Anyway, the last thing I needed as another technical shirt and I’ve enjoyed the cotton one as a comfy shirt to wear since that race.
I guess that’s why there’s chocolate and vanilla.
Finisher medals, t-shirts and hats? I could not care less.
I would be happy if the race organizer kept that money and put his race into the black or maybe dump it down on a Bud Light truck with a sushi bar and some TexMex!
I have a sneaking suspicion if someone put on a race w/o medals/t-s and put beer and killer food it the sell out would be fast. OR I’m happy to see these race organizers make some money for their efforts…a lot of it if possible…more power to them. Having worked intimately with our tri club putting on one of the great races in the Southeast…Wet n Wild in Auburn, AL…the man hours are quite honestly out of control. For the old timers here who were racing that long ago you will remember one of the best run races anywhere…and food to die for! Long live Wet n Wild!
Good post Chris
.
Man, St Anthony’s this year had a beer truck, pizza, black beans and rice, tons of food…
I live in a tourist area, and I break out the race t-shirts from local events every weekend when I go down to the beach.
Because nothing says ‘Hey, I’m really a local’ like wearing something from the Eglin Gate-2-Gate Run, Valparaiso Heritage Festival 5K, McGuire’s Halloween bash, Crab Trap Triathlon, Abitaman tri sprint series, etc.
Jill-Saint who? Saint what? Is that a race or something. I saw the t-shirt and was wondering what it was.
Bill- Oh yeah, It actually happens to be one of the biggest and oldest races in the country.
Jill- Wow! I didn’t know that. Did you do it?
Bill-Yes i did! It was fun!
Jill- Wow! I never knew they had such a big race. Never saw anybody else with the t-shirt.
Bill- Yea…well it seems that all the really cool people who do it never wear the shirts because they don’t want to talk about it to people like you or they think that I’m looking for attention by wearing it .
Jill- I think it is cool and I would be proud to wear it! Want to go back to my place and take it off so I can see your awesome ripped tri stud body?
Bill- Surrrrree Then I can show you my M-dot tat !
Jill- Wow your dreamy
It could happen
lol, maybe,
If I could just get a Windermere Roadies shirt, it would happen for sure!
Wow. A lot of passion and a long winded response to a joke.
Lighten up Francis, you must be a real hoot.