Run Run Away

Question:

I value my t-shirt souvenirs. I’d hate to see this tradition fall by the wayside.

I think the poster to whom you replied had the right idea, just needs a tweak.  I’m with you, Tammy, in the fact that a souvenir is nice and gift certificates can’t be used if you’re from out- of-town. However, the continuing barrage of t-shirts shows a lack of creativity, IMHO.  A trip to Comdex (semi-annual computer industry trade show) can confirm this.  I come home with all kinds of t-shirt alternatives, and I didn’t have to pay a $15 entry fee (did have to sit through a sales pitch). My favorite Comdex item is the WordPerfect soft-sided attache. Years ago, in Terre Haute, IN, there was the Marathon-Marathon. (Sponsered by Marathon Oil and it was 26.2 miles long.)  They had something different every year: visor, shorts, gear bag. One reason to run was to see what different item one would get that year. Mike Stewart      ’84 Honda Sabre

Response:

I, for one, enjoy getting high quality t-shirts, especially for runs that I travel to. And yes, they accumulate rapidly (perhaps they breed in the chest of drawers). But there are lots of charities out there that would love to have your slightly used t-shirts and running shoes. If you live near a port city, see if there’s a Seaman’s House there. Many of them are always looking for clothing to give foreign seaman. Believe it or not, men still get shanghaied and jump ship in the US to get away. Just as many don’t get paid until they return to the country of origin. An old worthless t-shirt can be a prized possesion. And don’t forget your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Mike Tennent WebRunner Running Page — Southeast USA Race Calendar 200+ listings. Advertise your race. FTP Race Apps, FAQ http://www.webrunner.com/webrun/running/running.html

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:       I would much prefer if they gave free entree at restaurants : certificates.  This would enable me to eat at nice places.  The : restuarant would benefit as most who got such certificates would drag : along a full-paying friend or s.o. with them. :       Or give out candy.  Say a bag of M and M candy.  This can be : given to kids and is better than T shirts. :       Food over Tshirts, anytime. :       Or give out tickets to a movie theater.  Candy or tickets or : restaurant coupons will also eliminate the T shirt ordering, procuring, : transporting and bureaucracy problems. :       : I understand your point, but the t-shirt is ADVERTISING for the sponsors! Don’t forget the almighty $ ! Norm —    <^-   /           (GO FOR IT!!!)

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Abhay Thatte  writes:    I would much prefer if they gave free entree at restaurants certificates.  This would enable me to eat at nice places.  The restuarant would benefit as most who got such certificates would drag along a full-paying friend or s.o. with them.    Or give out candy.  Say a bag of M and M candy.  This can be given to kids and is better than T shirts.    Food over Tshirts, anytime.

Sound the bell, Abhay and I agree. Drum roll…. He did call me Mr.  :-) Probably because I have drawers full of shirts and random iron collecting dust( I usually donate to Special Olympics) that I now find I prefer food offerings. Some of our local races offer pies, cookies, jars of honey, breads etc, for awards. Dinner at restuarants are also nice if you get the owner to donate. These prizes are equally nice and it keeps the cost of the race down. And if you are puting on a race to raise money, all the entry fees can go for the cause. — Doug Freese  All opinions are mine. IBM Tele: 8-293-8098

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In article         I would much prefer if they gave free entree at restaurants certificates.  This would enable me to eat at nice places.  The restuarant would benefit as most who got such certificates would drag along a full-paying friend or s.o. with them.         Or give out candy.  Say a bag of M and M candy.  This can be given to kids and is better than T shirts.         Food over Tshirts, anytime.         Or give out tickets to a movie theater.  Candy or tickets or restaurant coupons will also eliminate the T shirt ordering, procuring, transporting and bureaucracy problems.

What about those of us who travel to races? We can’t use gift certificates which are — usually — from local businesses. I maintain that t-shirts be made optional. Participants can be told in the entry form that they have to pre-register by a certain date to get their optional t-shirt (and I know that turnaround time for most t-shirt print shops is pretty quick… often less than a week) Because I travel a lot, and race wherever I happen to be (thank god for magazine race calendars!), I value my t-shirt souvenirs. I’d hate to see this tradition fall by the wayside. Tammy Everts

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        I would much prefer if they gave free entree at restaurants certificates.  This would enable me to eat at nice places.  The restuarant would benefit as most who got such certificates would drag along a full-paying friend or s.o. with them.         Or give out candy.  Say a bag of M and M candy.  This can be given to kids and is better than T shirts.         Food over Tshirts, anytime.         Or give out tickets to a movie theater.  Candy or tickets or restaurant coupons will also eliminate the T shirt ordering, procuring, transporting and bureaucracy problems.

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