Hey Runner's, Why we're breaking your rules!


When we started running races, we did not have a blog, we weren't on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any form of social media. Social media, what's that?

For this reason we had
no idea that people dressed in costume for races, especially those Disney ones. The Disney 5k races were the first ones that our family started doing together.

We picked up our race shirt at the expo and of course it seemed fitting to wear it to the race the following day.


Why did we wear it?
After all, we are adults so where else are we going to be able to wear a cotton t-shirt with a Disney character on it? 

Yes, the race shirt is made of cotton but we are only running a short 5K distance.

It stuck with the theme. It's nice to get a picture of yourself in your race shirt AT the actual race you are running.

I think we wore the cotton race shirt three years in a row for the Disney 5K races.

Will we do it again?
Probably not.  We will continue to dress for the "theme" of the race but we would much rather do it in a fun costume. For non-Disney race we would never wear a cotton t-shirt to race in either.   I do not judge people who DO wear the cotton race shirts though. I like to see they are supporting the cause!


What about other race shirts?
For other long distances races it is usually way too warm to wear the race shirt during the race.  For that reason alone, we don't generally wear the shirt. However, there are always exceptions to this.  If it is a cooler day, why not wear the race shirt?

I've worn the race shirt twice already for the April Fools race and Lacey has worn her Big Sur shirt during her race.  We wore the long sleeve race shirt during the Disney Half marathon last year out of necessity.

Why did we wear it?
These races were not suitable for a "costume" or a "themed outfit".
They were tech shirts.
The weather was cool.
For the Disney Half marathon last year we DID indeed have tank tops to wear during the race and did not anticipate wearing the race shirt. However, the weather became VERY cold and since it was the only long sleeve shirt we had (besides the marathon shirt) we had no choice.  No harm done though because thousands of runners were wearing the race shirt to stay warm.

Would  we wear it again?
Heck yea. I like "themeing it up"  and hope to wear the race shirt for the April Fools race next month. I didn't wear it last year because the cut of the shirt was too large.

Final Thoughts: I have no idea why people get so bent out of shape when other people wear the race shirt to the race. I know they think that they need to "earn" the right to wear the shirt and if they didn't already run it, then they shouldn't wear it. I call bull honky on this. Unless it says "Finisher" on your shirt (which I then agree you probably shouldn't jinx yourself and wear it for the race), than it's okay.

Now I do agree that you should not wear an "I did it" shirt that you bought at the expo.

I know others live by the concept "nothing new on race day" and I admit that IS a valid point.  Fortunately we've never had a problem in that area.


So there's our two cents on this highly debatable topic.  Seriously I don't even know why this is such a controversy among runners.


We are linking up with the gals from TOTR.

59 comments:

  1. To address your last comment, I think its a controversy because people seem to be able to make everything into a debate. Wear what you want to wear, whether its the race shirt or something else. As long as you're comfortable in whatever it is that you're wearing, why does it matter what others wear? Just my two cents.

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    1. You are right. I feel anything that people have different opinions on tends to turn into a debate.

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  2. Apparently at overseas races, it's a really big thing to wear the race shirt and very common. I don't know this firsthand but I've read it a bunch. And I agree with Kathryn above...there's a controversy about everything! I have adopted a phrase from Amy Poehler's book that's perfect for this topic, "good for her, not for me." :) -C

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  3. It's usually the done thing over here to wear the race shirt, but I think dressing up is much more fun!

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    1. As long as it's cool enough weather wise, we have no problem wearing the race shirt!

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  4. So funny, when I was in Florida for my race, my mom asked if I was going to wear the race shirt. I told her it was taboo and she looked at me kind of funny! There were a lot of people wearing the shirt, surprisingly! Guess they hadn't hear of the rule... :p

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  5. We think alike! People who get their panties in a twist about wearing the race shirt to the race... I don't get it!

    I actually have a race shirt for a race I didn't even end up running due to injury. It is a really nice short sleeved tech shirt. Why would I not wear a perfectly good shirt?

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    1. Yea, I think it's just crazy what people spend their time arguing about.

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  6. Wow - I'm thinking I may not be able to actually call myself a "runner" anymore as I had NO IDEA this was even a "debatable topic"...I don't typically wear THE race shirt to run in anyway, but I also don't care if anyone else does either. Wow...who knew? #ImClueless

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    1. You are definitely a "runner" no matter what you wear!

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  7. Yeah, I thought this was a weird one when I first heard this "rule" too. I see a lot of people wearing the race shirt at smaller charity races I do and I think it's nice support. I ended up wearing the race shirt at the St. Patrick's Day 10k I did earlier this month because it turned out I don't have any green tech shirts!

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  8. I personally don't wear the race shirt on race day for no other reason than I've already coordinated my outfit, costume or not. And I'm that over-prepared runner that always has more layers than I need in my car. :-)

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  9. I actually kind of thought you shouldn't wear your race shirt until after the race... but the way you put it... it really doesn't actually matter :-) You should do what makes you happy!!

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  10. My opinion on this comes from my dad. Back when I started running (in like 1998..so before it became popular) everyone who did races was a serious runner and would have special running gear. Once it became more popular, people started to wear race shirts at the race and my dad would always point them out and say that they're not "serious runners". I feel like now it's such a big sport and some people like you just like to wear the race shirts because they're cute and go with the theme! But maybe for those old-school diehard runners, they still see it as a "real runner" vs. "hobby jogger" thing. Nothing wrong with that at all and lots of those race shirt wearing runners beat me, so I don't have any issues with it at all! Just wanted to put in my two cents as well :)

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    1. That's too bad that some runners still have that opinion.

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    2. I agree! He also said that I'm not a true marathoner yet because I haven't run (without stopping) for the entire 26.2 yet. Old school runners are INTENSE.

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    3. Your dad told you you are not a true marathoner? Wow!! that is intense!! and really harsh! But that's how dads roll, right? Mine still laughs at me for "paying to run".

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  11. For me, it goes against the rule "nothing new on race day". I won't wear a race shirt (or anything I just bought) on race day since I've never run with it on before because I chafe horribly, so a seam I didn't body glide because I didn't think about it could lead to a couple of days of pain. I don't look down on those who do, but I do encourage my runners I coach to stick to the "nothing new on race day" rule. Some do, some don't. At the end of the day, it's their decision.

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    1. I think that if you are worried about the shirt being uncomfortable or that it could possibly cause you chaffing than that is a definitely a valid concern.

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  12. When I started running, I wore the race shirts -I knew no difference... & man, now that I know better, its CRAZY to see how people actually get so tiffed about it all. I see so many people who wear race shirts at races now & I just want to protect them from people with evil eyes giving those looks. :) haha

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  13. I feel like wearing the race shirt jinx's you, so I never wear it, LOL! Other than that, I could care less what people wear.

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  14. While I rarely wear my race shirts, because they rarely ever fit right, or I like the color... somebody somewhere is giving discounts for bright yellow, crew neck shirts in men cuts, I'm sure of it.... I could completely careless what anybody else wears to the race. We each had our own journey to the race, what we wear doesn't matter.

    I read an article a while back about a women's magazine picking on a woman who was running a marathon wearing a tutu! and thought, what the heck is wrong with them? Instead of building ourselves up for going out and running a race, (doesn't matter if it's a 1 Mile or a Marathon), we are picking ourselves apart over what to wear? what is this Vogue?

    and it think it was Runner's World who called the rule on wearing a race shirt to the race... I read it in one of their articles a while back, saying it was bad luck.

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    1. I remember the article about the lady wearing a tutu. She was actually undergoing treatment for a medical condition and wanted to wear the tutu to celebrate getting through it (or something like that).

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  15. I don't wear race shirts to races mostly because I never really like the fit of them or they are too hot or too cold. I don't know why people get so bent out of shape about it!

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  16. Hmm, that's funny that wearing a half marathon tech shirt to a 5K is a "no no". During our local 5k I see tons of people wearing tech shirts from marathons they ran. One girl even had a tech shirt on from the Princess half marathon last year!

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  17. Love this! It's amazing how much of a hotbed of debate this topic stirs up, yes? I don't wear the race shirt on race day just because of bad experiences with chafing - but beyond that, who cares, right? We're there to run and have a good time. It's not a fashion show, LOL!

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  18. I tend to never wear the race shirt because my outfit is planned in advance but honestly? I couldn't care less what others do. Whatever makes you happy is great by me.

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  19. Technically I am an after the race shirt wearer, but besides the fact that I have a few family and friends that would never let me live it down if I did otherwise, LOL LOL Its mostly because I don't like to wear anything that hasn't already been run tested.
    I could be wrong, but it all came about because races used to only hand out shirts at the end of a race, so they were all just finishers shirts. One day some race directors realized it was cheaper and required less volunteer staff to just hand them out before. So that is the real reason for the shirt change. With that, you know I guess it's a do what you want thing. I mean there are a lot of things people do in races that I would't do, and visa versa I am sure. If wearing the shirt to run in is what they want to do, then all power to them. If not wearing it, then all power to them too:) Train well and run your race, do your best that's what really matters!

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  20. I wore a race shirt during a race once for one of the reasons you mentioned - I got too cold waiting for the race to start so the extra layer was awesome :) So no judgement from me toward runners that choose to wear the race shirt on race day!

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  21. I like to save my race shirt to wear after the race - it's my "hells yes, I did this" statement to the world for the rest of the day, LOL.

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  22. I didn't even know this was a thing. Why does people care?! Just worry about yourself and your run... not what people around you are wearing. Sheesh.

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  23. I remember wearing the race shirt to my first race ever (a half marathon) because I thought thats what everyone did! Now I don't just because I don't like wearing something new on race day. But if others want to wear it, good for them! Not sure why people get so upset about it.

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  24. "What's this? You're wearing the shirt of the band you're going to see? Don't be that guy."

    I don't wear race shirts because I'm of the "nothing new on race day" camp, but I don't think this should be an issue at all.

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  25. I don't wear the race shirt until after I finish the race, for superstitious reasons. Knowing my luck, I'd fall and break a leg. Why tempt fate? :)

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  26. I don't wear race shirts to the race because I'm a firm believer of "nothing new on race day".....but I do not have a problem with wearing them right after to the post race party/drive home the especially if my top I raced in is soaked in sweat or if it's cold and I want a long sleeve top on.

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  27. I don't get bent out of shape about it. Live and let live.

    I'm a fan of wearing race shirts from other races that I have finished -- it reminds me of how hard I worked, or how well I did.

    Although I have a lot more cute clothes now, so you may not see me sporting a race tee during a race anymore. Except maybe in winter, when no on can see it under the jacket anyway!

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  28. I bought an I Did It shirt for my first half, then immediately put it away until I finished the race. I didn't even take the tags off until I knew I could wear it.

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    1. Can you believe i've never bought an "I did it shirt"? I find it odd that they sell them at the expo opposed to at the end of the race. I feel like I shouldn't jinx myself and my an "I did it shirt" for a race I didn't even run yet.

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  29. I've always been one that says you shouldn't wear the race shirt during the race, but you make some good points. Sometimes you never have another chance to wear the shirt. I ran a Halloween Half Marathon last year and absolutely hate the race shirt. So I'm never going to wear it. BUT it would have been a good idea to wear it during the race because it stuck to the race theme.

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  30. I feel like you paid for the shirt. Wear it if you want. Even if it says "finisher." Call it motivational. That said, I tend to only wear my race shirts running around the neighborhood. I'm not generally a fan of huge logos and advertisements on my clothing.

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  31. It is interesting how some people are so passionate about this unspoken rule! I was definitely shamed when I wore my shirt during the Broad Street Run, my first race. I never made that mistake again, but the whole thing really is silly!

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  32. i dont wear the shirt before the race but im definitely not passionate about it. the race i did other the weekend-a lot of people wore the shirt.

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  33. I personally don't do it, just a pet peeve of mine. Even if it doesn't say finisher, I think if you are wearing it then it's implied you ran the race (I wouldn't walk around wearing a NYC marathon shirt b/c I have never run it, that would just be weird), so, in my opinion, same concept. I would never walk up to someone and say that though, because, their decision, but just a personal thing. I do however usually wear it that day, after the race is over!

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    1. You make a valid point. In the same sense, I've never bought an "I did it shirt" for a race I didn't run yet but people do it all the time. But to be fair I think that's disney's fault for selling them at the expo and not actually after the race when people really HAVE done it...lol!

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  34. Ahhh but wouldn't you agree it is a great controversial topic for TOTR! I so enjoy seeing all of your costumes you two run in! You can be so creative! I know for one thing you always make it look fun!!! Keep it up ladies!

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    1. Thank you for such a positive comment!

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    2. I second this! You guys are brave and creative. The craziest I've gotten was my pink outfit with foam tiara for the ladies' mag mile half!

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  35. I don't wear the race shirt to the race... but that is just me. I think everyone should do what they want to do, variety is the spice of life!

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  36. It's not controversial for me either--I don't really care, though maybe that's because I don't wear race shirts at all, except sometimes to sleep in. I've done training runs in them just a few times but have never worn them to a race--either that race or another year. I just have too many other things I'd rather wear!

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  37. Everyone loves a good drama, right? LOL

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  38. Personally, I don't wear race shirts for the race I'm running because I like to save them for after the race and wear them the rest of the day - if it's a destination race, then I can't wash it after the race, wait for it to dry, etc. However, I have no qualms with people who do this, especially in your case with the cold temps at the WDW Half marathon!

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  39. I genuinely don't care what other runners wear, but I have a self-imposed rule of not wearing the race shirt because I use it as yet another carrot for myself to do the race in the first place. Works for me. I think your family looks super cute in the photos.

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  40. I actually don't care what people do... I personally don't wear race shirts because they NEVER fit. grrrrr

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  41. I think having to earn the shirt for longer distances is a fair reason...it's how I feel about the medals, the decals, the distance-related gear...But I don't care if people wear the shirt to the race! It just makes them look like a newb :)

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  42. I read an article awhile back that made the debate at least make a little more sense to me. It said that shirts used to be given at the end of the race (so in that sense, they were finisher's shirts even if they didn't say finish on them). I guess if that's what you grew up with then it'd be hard to switch your thinking? But unless the shirt says finisher or "I Did It!" I don't see any issue with wearing it and don't notice differences in people when I see them in it when they're racing. (Aside: I can't even buy the "I Did It!" shirts because the Expo is always before the race and I am not jinxing myself.)

    That said, I don't wear mine to race in. It's a little "nothing new on race day," a little "they never fit me quite right," and a lot "I already had something planned to wear and maybe I'll wear it later." Haha.

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  43. I would def where one if it turned cool. Most of my races are scorchers and the shirt would be too warm. Very few fit properly anyway. The last Disney shirt was awesome.

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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.