Which Races Give You The Biggest Bang For Your Buck?

With the price of race registrations increasing every year, what type of things do you look for in a race to feel that you are getting your monies worth?  A big Expo? Scenic Course? Great race shirt and fabulous medal?  Here are 5 races that we've run throughout the years that we really felt were worth the registration that we paid.  ( In no particular order)

1. Disney Races: We all know that Disney races are very expensive, but what all are you getting in exchange for those high race fees?
1. A top notch Health and Fitness Expo: Exposure to some great running products, commemorative picture opportunities, and speakers from personalities in the Running/Fitness industry.
2. Race shirts that I would actually wear again. Swag bag, sample treats.
3. Nicely designed race bibs.
4. A top notch course! Running through theme parks while closed! Character opportunities (if you take advantage of them). Plenty of amazing on course support.
5. Over the top Start and Finish line complete with fireworks. ( I've never seen one better).
6. Great medals ( enough said).
7. Free Transportation to and from events.
8. Post race refreshments ( Great snack boxes)
9. Such a fun opportunity to dress up and see others who have amazing costumes!

So is all this worth it for the price that you pay. Some people would say yes  some say no. I for one will never complain about the price of a Disney race because I truly believe it's the opportunity and the environment you are paying for, and as for now, I am enjoying it!

But on the other hand, it is a LOT of money to pay for the race and it would be nice for Disney to offer finishers a free park ticket! I don't know this for sure, but I have heard that everyone gets a medal at a Disney race whether they've finished the race or not. I think giving the finisher's a little something like a free park pass would be a nice gesture. If they can't afford to give park passes, how about a voucher for a free breakfast after the race? Wouldn't that be nice?


2. Run For The Dream : Williamsburg Virginia. (Lots of Extra)
This race has got to be one of the most generous races I have ever completed!
1. Registration for the 8K starts at $40 ( there was a half marathon option too)
2. There was a Runner's expo but it was small and nothing to get excited about.
3. We did get T-shirts but it was cotton and not one I ever wore, again and a drawstring bag.
4. Great race medal.

Okay, so here are the best parts of the race:
5.With our registration we got a 2 day pass to Colonial Williamsburg.
6. We also got a one day pass to Busch Gardens Theme Park.
7. We got a $15 meal voucher for lunch/dinner in the park.
8. Free transportation to all events and to downtown and Theme park.
9. Great post Race party on the lawn with vendors, free food, and beer.
10. Fireworks that evening.

3. April Fools Race: Atlantic City ( Great Medal)
1. This race starts at $45 for the 7K and 11K  ( There is also a half available)
2. No race expo but very organized packet pick up.
3. Great race course right on the boardwalk.
4. Great race tech shirt that I have worn over and over again!
5. The medals. These were huge spinners. ( They were actually the same medals that were given to the 11k and half runners). 
6. Post race snacks. First time I've been given a soft pretzel at the finish line!
7. Free post race massages!  Yes, I said FREE!

4. J and A Races : Virginia Beach (Lots of Swag)
(Crawlin Crab, Wicked 10K, Surfin Santa, VA is for Lovers 14K, and Shamrock half and full)
1. Registration for the Wicked 10K starts at $35
2. Great courses ( love running along the oceanfront)
3. Medals are always great.
4. There is always great entertainment watching all the costumes for the Wicked.
5. Post race drinks and snacks.
6. Post race party at the convention center.
7. Always food ( Chili in a bread bowl for Wicked)
8. Always some sort of swag bag, thermoses for Wicked, blankets and hats for Shamrock.
9. Smallish Expos, but not bad.
10. Always great tech shirts ( nice long sleeve ones for Wicked)

5. Rock n Roll Series: Virginia Beach ( Plenty of Entertainment)
1. Half marathon starts at $85.
2. A Large Expo ( These expos Rival Disney's)
3. Great Tech shirts I've worn over and over again
4. Super Cute Medals ( the ones from VA Beach always have some beach theme, last year was a Star Fish)
5. On course entertainment
6. Racers get free admission to the Music Festival: Some great concerts.
7:  We have been fortunate enough to be invited to some of the VIP events over the years ( pre race breakfast/ post race brunch/ Pre-concert party) . These events aren't included in registration but they certainly added to our experience. I believe you can pay extra for these events but we are not sure how much it is.

                               What make the steep cost of race registration worth it to you?



We are linking up with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia for another Friday 5 where the theme is "Gone to the Races". Make sure to check out their blogs too!

The Great Race Shirt Debate!

Disclaimer: We want to preface this post by saying that this is just for fun. You may or may not agree with the opinions we have posted and we are not saying any of them or right or wrong.

 

My sister and I were in discussion the other day about Race Shirts and what we’ve heard other people say about wearing them to races.

In any organized race (many of them anyway or at least all the ones that we’ve participated in) you get a race shirt. Sometimes is a cotton t-shirt, sometimes it’s long sleeved, and when we’re lucky, it’s a tech performance shirt!

Everybody has their opinion on whether or not this “race shirt” should be worn the day of the race and in some of the online running groups we frequent people have even asked what the protocol is on that.

Here are some opinions that we’ve heard online and from other runners we know in person.

You can tell who the newbie runners are because they are the ones that are wearing that day’s race shirt.

Don’t wear the shirt until you’ve completed the race.

The shirt is for finishers, you didn’t finish yet, therefore you shouldn’t wear the shirt. ( similar to the above comment I know)

With that being said, there are also plenty of people who think it is okay to wear the t-shirt on race day.

Personally, we feel people should wear whatever they feel comfortable in.  With that being said, Yes, we are those people that have worn the given race shirt on race day!  And it wasn’t just when we were “new” runners.

Just for fun, here are some of our opinions

We agree that if the shirt actually says “finisher” on it, then maybe you should wait till you finish the race to wear it, but keep in mind that if you are picking up your race shirt at packet pick up, you have been given the shirt for “registering” not “finishing”.  The medals are for finishing.

Most races are themed, and are for some type of charity or organization. When we wear our given race shirt on race day, we feel that we are doing it in support of the race, the charity, the organization, and the sponsors on the back of the shirt.  Plus it’s nice to look “uniform” with each other and what a great picture op, wearing the race shirt during that particular race.

If we don’t wear the race shirt during the race, we have very little opportunity to wear it again. We don’t go to the store, the bank, or to work in our race shirts. We rarely work out or do training runs in T-shirts either. We prefer tanks.

If we are given a cotton t-shirt for our race shirt, then we will probably not wear it since it is not moisture wicking.  However, we have always worn the cotton t-shirts that we were given for the Disney 5K races.  Our reasoning is that  1)it is only a 5K and at Disney it’s not like we are speeding for time 2) as adults, where else are we going to wear a t-shirt with Disney characters on it?

If we are given a tech shirt then yea, we may wear it to that race.  But of course there are always exceptions. Sometimes it’s just more comfortable to run in a tank.  I doubt you will be seeing us at Rock N Roll VA Beach next month in our tech shirts ( because it will be so hot) and we probably won’t be wearing the race shirts at Disney either for the Glass Slipper Challenge next year.  But the wonderful thing about not wearing the shirt on race day is that you can wear it later on in the day ( to the parks, the beach, around town, etc) and proudly show off your accomplishment!

So there you have it. Moral of the story is ( in our humble opinion) it’s okay to wear the race shirt if you want to. We’ve done it!

Now all in good fun, what’s your opinion on wearing or not wearing the race shirt on race day?