Copy Cat Races?

When we were running one of the Rock n Roll races last year, we overheard someone say "These races are trying to be like Disney race", meaning that they are now giving out medals that have decorative lanyards and offering more "Challenge" races.  As you know, we love Disney races so we didn't take any offense to this comment at all. Please, we wish more races would follow Disney's concept! Good Job Rock n Roll!


Race medal for 2013 vs 2014. The medals themselves have always been fabulous but RnR has really stepped it up with the lanyards.





Just like Disney has the, Goofy Challenge, Glass Slipper, Pixie Dust, and Dopey Challenges, Rock n Roll has their Re-mix challenges (doing multiple race distances in one weekend) and Double Downs ( running two neighboring RnR races on different weekend).

Just like Disney has a Coast to Coast medal, Rock n Roll has what we would consider to be their version of it. It's called Heavy Medals. If you do two Rock n Roll races in a calendar year, you get the Rock Encore medal.
 If you run three race in a year you get the Triple Crown medal. You can earn up to 10 Heavy Medals in one year.

But unlike Disney (where you get your Coast to Coast medal somewhere along the finish line immediately after you've completed the race), Rock n Roll does not give your Heavy Medal to you right away. It is mailed to you.

One of the bloggers we read made a comment last year that getting her Heavy Medal almost felt like a "Gift with Purchase" to her and that it didn't seem special.   We couldn't imagine not feeling that the medal was "special". Afterall, you DID earn it.  BUT after we actually received our Heavy Medals in the mail, we surprisingly kind of felt the same way. It was exciting getting it in the mail (because lets face it it's always exciting to get a package in the mail). But then the next day, we hang it on the wall with the others and forget about it.  With that being said, I decided that maybe other runners might feel the same way, so I wrote this in our RnR  Rockin Bloggers Facebook group.

Has there been any thought to RnR races being able to present runners with their "Rock Encore" medal at the actual race instead of having it mailed to them weeks later? There is something really special about being able to bask in the glory of your accomplishment right then and there. I think we would be able to enjoy the medal more too instead of just receiving it at home and then hanging it up right aways. DON'T get me wrong, I appreciate the heavy medals in whatever form we get them. Any thought?

Of course my feedback was welcomed by the administrator and I was told that this is something that they have considered. In the past I believe it was a production issue that kept them from being distributed but currently there seems to be other issues that they may or may not be working on.

Here were some concerns I have found other runners to have on this issue.......

Some runners didn't like the long lines that they already had to wait in to get the re-mix medals and perhaps people wouldn't want to wait in a long line to get the Heavy Medal. A solution was to make multiple booths for medals.  

(I personally have never had to wait in a long line to get the re-mix medal but I HAVE had trouble finding the re-mix medal booth since it is rarely right at the finish line. People wait in line all the time at Disney to get their challenge medals and I don't believe it has ever been an issue. I think it is because there are multiple lines where they can pick up their medals).

Another concern was that RnR looks up a list of eligible runners on the computer to make sure you are getting the medal you deserve.  Other races of this nature will only give you a wrist band to get your challenge medal and apparently there has been issues with people "sharing" their wrist bands with other runners.

(I personally have NEVER heard of there being an issue with runners "sharing" their wristbands to get challenge medals but I suppose it could happen. I mean afterall, how many stories have we all heard about runners cheating during a race? Why would they want a medal for a race they didn't complete? Who knows!)  Oh, and P.S The computer systems aren't always that accurate. I was mailed the Triple Crown medal that I did not deserve. It's okay thought because my sister received the Rock Encore ( that should have been mine), so we just switched. She legitimately DID earn the Triple Crown but was sent the wrong one.  I should also mention that Disney DOES now look your race info up on a computer before giving you the challenge medal.

And one more comment was about the preferred method of getting the medal in the mail. Weeks after the race is said and done, receiving the medal in the mail allows you to celebrate a bit all over again ( if only in your mind).

All valid remarks and concerns I suppose. Regardless of how the medals get to us, we undoubtedly think that Rock n Roll races have some of the best looking medals. We can't wait to cross the finish line of another Rock n Roll race to earn more!

If you completed a race challenge where you would receive a medal like the heavy medals, would you want your medal right after the race, or would you prefer it to be mailed to your home at a later date? 

Don't forget, if you want to sign up for an upcoming Rock n Roll race, use our code FAIRYTALESNFIT to save some $.
Rock n roll medals

Are you doing any rock n roll races this year?

36 comments:

  1. This is a tricky one because they have to verify you have run the other race unless they start issuing wristbands at the expo. I personally am fine with them mailing my extra medal and we did last year when we got our World Rocker medal from doing a European and US Rock n Roll event. I am sure they have considered all options and decided this would be the best. As long as I get my medal, I am happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those World Rocker medals and Heavy Medals are HUGE, so I would imagine they would have to bring a couple extra boxes to each race which might not be that convenient, so I kind of understand.

      Delete
  2. I think it's awesome that other races are doing challenges similar to Disney. I've never done a RnR race but they look fun and I definitely want to do one some day and you bet I'll be signing up for a challenge. Who cares if they took the idea from Disney, it's a great idea and allows more people to race!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I LOVE the fact that Rock n Roll races now have more offerings ( like Disney). I think more races should be like both of these race series!

      Delete
  3. I think it's logistically hard for them to verify whether you qualify for the heavy medals at each race. It is different than just handing them out at the finish line. I do like RnR races and the atmosphere is great. I still haven't done a Disney race.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's the part I don't understand. They should find out how to verify through their computer system. That's what Disney does.

      Delete
  4. What I noticed is the heavy medals are BIG! When I saw them at RnR NOLA I had no idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, they are HUGE, and HEAVY too! I guess that's why they call them Heavy Medals...lol

      Delete
  5. I think Disney has set the bar high for all races. Bling is the thing for a lot of runners, and it makes it tough for smaller races to attract participants. I don't run for the bling. Not saying I don't love a cool medal. And I haven't done an RnR race.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For us, Disney certainly DOES set the bar because that was the first race series we ever did and we fell in love. Over the years we have found races that are just as fun and offer great perks ( like RNR), which is nice!

      Delete
  6. I just did my first Rock and Roll race and really enjoyed it. I don't mind events learning best practices from each other, it's good business even if it may seem like copying :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes,, I agree. I think there is always room for improvement with every race series!

      Delete
  7. Like others have said, it would be a logistical nightmare for them to verify race completions at each RnR each, and to have enough of each Heavy Medal available on site. It would also make for longer lines. But no matter what RnR chooses to do, there's always going to be somebody that is unhappy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't see the verification being the issue. Disney uses a computer system and does a fine job at it. What I could see being an issue is having to transport all those extra medals. I think it is easier for Disney to do it because their races are AT their headquarters. RnR races travel all around the world, so I think that may be where the challenge lays.

      Delete
  8. I did a local race series last year (the "Thirsty 3" - a 5k in spring on a Friday night at a brewery, a 5k/half marathon in summer on a Saturday at a vineyard, and a 5k/10k in the fall on a Sunday at a cider mill), and instead of an extra medal, we got a medal holder that said "Thirsty 3" if we did all three races.

    Granted, it was pretty small (just big enough for those three medals), but I thought it was such a great idea, especially since having the three races so far apart meant they weren't really any more challenging than usual, like a Disney race where you run back-to-back. I wish more races would offer perks like that, rather than just an extra medal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like a great perk. I like when smaller races do fun things like that.

      Delete
  9. I was aware of RnR's challenges when Disney only had the Goofy Challenge. In a way I think Disney "copied" that and expanded their challenges overnight, but other races see the demand and are responding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It seems like more and more races are doing more challenges now. Even J and A races ( in VA Beach) have challenges. I think it's a great thing!

      Delete
  10. None of the races near me even compare to how amazing the disney ones you post look.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Speaking of why people would want a medal they haven't earned, I went to eBay to check on a jacket I missed at the Star Wars weekend and saw that people were selling their medals. I couldn't believe that someone would want to buy something they didn't earn. So weird.
    @heatherlas

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great topic!!! I think that Disney in general has been the poster child for a LOT of things. When Disney first started his theme parks, the "spoke and wheel" format was very innovative. Now almost all theme parks are designed that way! Same thing with Disney's "4D" attractions, et al - so many other parks now do similar rides! Imitation is really the sincerest form of flattery, no?

    I ran the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge last year and I LOVED being able to get my Coast to Coast medal right after my second Disney race. I think I do prefer getting it right at the finish, because that way you can wear it around proudly RIGHT THERE. If I get a medal in the mail, I don't ever wear it in public - I just hang it up. And to me, part of the fun of getting medal is being able to wear it in public!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would want my medal right after the race as well, but I can see where things needs to be confirmed since races are so spread out.

    ReplyDelete
  14. i definitely prefer to get them right at the finish! I think their lines are out of control-I had to wait for my friend for 35 min while she got her Cali combo medal last year-they could definitely do the work at the Expo (check to make sure you have completed the other races, give you a wristband) and then once you cross the finish line, check to make sure you actually finished.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, great! Now there are going to be whole bunch of races I'm going to want to do every year! I got hooked on running because of the bling for the Disney races. So now you are telling me that these challenges and awesome medals are going to be popping up everywhere. I might as well just leave my running shoes on and my wallet open! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, thanks for the discount code! You know I would love to do an R&R race.

    ReplyDelete
  17. RnR races do have great medals! I'd want to get the challenge medal at the finish as well. I really loved that with the runDisney Challenges I did this year (Dopey, Goofy, Glass Slipper).

    ReplyDelete
  18. I agree, getting a medal in the mail isn't as fun as wearing it around your neck on race day, but I get the logistics of having to look everything up to make sure the right person is getting it. Still deciding on a third Rock N Roll, but I"m hoping Brooklyn and Vegas!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I would agree that getting a medal following a race is a little more meaningful/fun than getting it in the mail. Although for the St. Pats Double (5K and 10K), it was nice to receive the medal in the mail. I could see how it could be difficult logistic wise to come up with a solution that would please everyone. Too bad there is not a scanning technology that could bypass the manual lookup.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my gosh, sharing wrist bands to get a medal you didn't earn. That is just crazy. I wouldn't feel like I deserved a medal if I did not earn it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I guess in 2012 I qualified for the RnR Heavy Medal, and I didn't know. When it arrived in the mail, I had to look it up to see why they sent it to me, LOL Ya I love my marathon medals, but haven't ever received one in any other race, and I am okay with that:) But ya, I didn't display the additional medal, I mean ya it's cool and I did earn it, but it doesn't really have the meaning that the others have when I get them after all those miles put in:)

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoops I somehow accidentally deleted my original comment trying to correct a spelling error.

      There was a race around the lake series here earlier in the year. You ran a race on the different "shores" of Lake Ponchartrain and at the end if you did all 3 you got a special extra medal or mug or something. There is also a bridge series where you run on 3 bridges that all cross the Mississippi and then you get a special extra medal at the end of last race. I would hate that one, the Huey P Long is a ridiculously tall bridge that freaks me out. And that series runs from March to June. I don't love the idea of a hot bridge in June!

      Delete
  23. Space Coast is doing a series where after three races you get a special medal and on the fifth year you get another. I'm really hoping that they do give the "big bang series" medals out at the finish!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ha! I'm the person who said it feels like a gift with purchase. I just got a heavy medal not too long ago and I stand by that feeling. If others disagree, that's fine. I doubt that I'd stand in line for it. I don't even pick up t-shirts most of the time because I don't wear them.
    As far as "copying," following business models has been something that has been done forever. If it works, others will try to profit from it. There are a few local races here that have series where you can get extra medals for doing all three. One of them used to give a jacket. That would be more useful in my opinion, but if people want the medals, they want the medals.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I received the medal for completing 2 RnRs in 2013, and I have to say, I definitely LIKE the medal...but the fact that it was mailed and arrived weeks and weeks later did kind of take something away from it! I love that other races are offering challenges...I'm ALL about the challenges, so it's always fun to have that option. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Rock 'n' Roll has been doing Heavy Medals for several years now. The Heavy Medals series pre-dates all of the Disney challenges except for Goofy. California has at least three other separate race combos, unrelated to Rock 'n' Roll, that award a series medal (and one of those also predates all the Disney challenges except for Goofy). So it isn't accurate to say these races were copying Disney.

    The reason that the first four heavy medals get mailed is that A TON of runners do 4 races. There's the Tour Pass 3-pack, so lots of people do that. I assume many people do 4 due to the west coast race proximity. The main issue is that even if they can verify who gets the medals on the computer, it would take freaking forever to hand them out. I don't know about you, but I waited in a line more than 10 deep for some of my Heavy Medals in 2013. It was very NOT fun to stand around and wait for 30+ minutes to pick up a medal when I could have been partying with other runners (or sitting on my butt, to be honest).

    Have you seen the new Heavy Medals (the ones replacing the ones you have pictured)? You could seriously injure your neck trying to wear the Hall of Fame!

    ReplyDelete

Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.