How would you feel about a race giving away specially-labeled bottles of wine as awards? It’s being done in a few places and I’d like to consider it but am getting some push back from a few people. “Sends the wrong message” is the usual response.
Clay
I think it is a great idea, as I’m looking at a very nice bottle that I have yet to drink. They used a ink marker to write on the bottle the AG and place, so it makes me reluctant to open it and drink it dry. I guess I will drink it soon, since it is a white, but keep the bottle as a reminder of the race… It has happened only twice in my career of over 500+ multi sport races, I wish it were a lot more…Go for it… I think you have to do something else for the under 21 crowd though…
Just run a fun subterfuge–get a few strap-on knife dildos like the one in “SE7EN.” Then say “here’s your award…just kidding” and give them the wine.
Seriously though, I like the idea.
There are several races up in BC that offer wine as an award, and one that gives very nice etched wine glasses. Mind you, these races are in a wine region, but still. What kind of a “wrong message” are you worried about? The people that complain about this are probably also complaining about Sunday races, as that day ought to be reserved for jesus. Whatever. If they don’t like wine, they can pass on the award.
One year I thought I had a case of wine sewn up as my award for finishing DFL after posting an 8:31 1/2 IM. I was *robbed *by some woman who came in HALF AN HOUR behind me!!!
I’d be very happy with that…
‘wrong message’ ? alcohol, like tri itself, is a good servant/bad master… I don’t know any wino triathletes and very much doubt one bottle is going to turn anyone into a drunk. Those who don’t drink can give it away; or have backup awards of a case of Gatorade for the determinedly sober.
I love the idea, its a fun award and it also helps fights the culture of wussification going on in the world.
It sends the right message, if you ask me =)
How would you feel about a race giving away specially-labeled bottles of wine as awards? It’s being done in a few places and I’d like to consider it but am getting some push back from a few people. “Sends the wrong message” is the usual response.
Clay
Go for it. You should serve it on the course too 
I have the bottle of wine I won for winning my age group at SOMA. Its not really about the wine, its a pretty cool trophy. It sits on a bookshelf and will never be drunk (because its really just some generic CA chardonnay). But it looks cool.
I’d love it. Some people might object. You just have to be ready to accept some of that. Of course people are ALWAYS going to find SOMETHING to complain about to the race people.
I say go for it. Don’t be confrontational if someone objects…just offer them something else (that you’ve got on hand for just that occasion…and which is not so desirable that EVERYONE starts wanting to exchange (like, say, a Zoot transition bag…all of the sudden EVERYONE will object to the wine! 
)
I’d take the wine…and probably uncork it and drink it if I were the winner!
The Vineman 70.3 gives an excellent La Crema magnum of either chard or Pinot Noir to winners. I always thought that was very cool. Who needs another medal?
Check to make sure its legal wherever you are. Liquor is regulated on a state and local alevel and giving it away as a prize may be legal in some places but not in others.
Only thing I would worry about is giving a bottle of wine to a recovering/recovered alcoholic, that could be tricky, but probably not a reason to skip it, just maybe have an alternative prize if somebody indicates they don’t want the wine.
A local race organizer does this at his races.
I wouldn’t have anything against it, but I’ll play devil’s advocate: Presumably some AG’s under 21 could not legally be given wine. People who are non drinkers are often very militant about alcohol, so you’re automatically going to upset some of your participants Intention is good, but not everyone would like wine as a reward (some may prefer a trophy, cash, trinket) How about handing out a carton of smokes or a case of beer to the winners? Do you need a special license to do this? If you hold your triathlon in a public park, what are the laws pertaining to having an open bottle? (some winners may start drinking right away) Some parks don’t allow glass bottles of any kind Once YOU give alcohol to someone, YOU can be held responsible if that person gets drunk, causes an accident, or contributes to the delinquency of a minor
Those are some ideas off the top of my head…
I’m going to present the other side. I’d hate it. I don’t drink. If it is held in Sonoma or a wine region and the event is built around a winery or wine theme then that is reasonable. For a random race, annoying. I don’t think it sends the wrong message, I couldn’t care less if people drink, I just find it annoying that people assume everyone does. I also get annoyed when business associates give bottles of booze as Christmas gifts. Not everyone drinks for various reasons.
Food and beverages in general are risky. I’m sure you can come up something better than a medal that doesn’t involve food or drink.
EDIT: This sounds a lot harsher than I intended but I’m on cold meds and can’t figure out how else to say it. I’m not trying to be mean.
If it were a good, or even decent wine. I did a race a long time ago in Las Vegas who gave out wine from the Pahrump Winery. It was awful.
But some vineyards will relabel bottles for you and if it’s a decent bottle of wine then it would be an awesome prize.
I also won my age group at SOMA and got a bottle of wine and I won’t be drinking it either, but I think it’s a neat trophy. My girlfriend, who is under 21, placed in her age group as well and got a bottle of sparkling grape juice or something along those lines.
The wine at Soma sucks, don’t bother to drink it. Trust me I’ve won 2 or 3 bottles there none of it drinkable, I’m not a wine snob either.
I was robbed by some woman who came in HALF AN HOUR behind me!!!
Dude you have to suck better then that to finish DFL.
I raced an event two years ago that gave wine as the awards. I raced with a relay team and we won. They gave us one bottle.
Geee … uh, thanks.
Go for it. You should serve it on the course too