A fellow GTStrutter recently told me, “You only need so many race shirts. I have a box in my closet that I drop them in, and when they’re full I drop the box at Goodwill.” Personally, I love race shirts. They are a reminder to me that I accomplished something, and when I wear them I feel like I have bragging rights. But, I have only ran a handful of races. So I can see why someone with dozens might not have that same happy healthy feeling.
When it comes to races you pay good money. A 5k race might be as low as $25 early bird, but as the distances get higher so do the fees. At some point you ask yourself why you’re paying for the opportunity to run when you could run on your own for free. Heck, the price is one of the best reasons to be a runner, compared to joining other athletic teams. We understand it costs to shut down the road, there’s liability insurance, and we need medical services on duty. No one is disputing the fact that races can’t be free. But sometimes it’s nice to get something extra back in your swag bag.
There are rumors of races that give you a Tiffany necklace, a big chunk of salami, or bottle of wine (yes, please) at the finish line. But those are few and far between. Speaking from a novice runner’s point of view, these are Five Things we actually want in our SWAG Bag (And there’s an actual chance of getting… no wine here).
Beer Glass. The first race we ran that had free beer at the finish line was the Boilermaker in 2014. It wasn’t even 10am and everyone was walking around with glasses of beer in their hands. We were young and confused. Who would want beer at this time of day? But since then, Jon has come to appreciate a good celebratory glass of beer, and I love our collection of glasses. Bonus points if you get to fill the glass at the finish line.
Jacket. Unlike a generic tee shirt, a jacket has got class. It’s swag we can brag about. Obviously every race can’t afford to give out nice jackets to all the participants, but when a race gives out jackets it’s a race I’ll want to run. And unlike a tee-shirt, you can wear a jacket more than once in the same week. It can be reserved for staying warm before races, or used daily in the crisp autumn days. You only need one jacket in the south, make it one that brags for you.
Buff. It doesn’t matter where you live and run, runners sweat a lot. A simple, multi-purposed gaiter is always a good packet stuffer. Whether it’s used to keep your neck and ears warm or keep your hair out of your face, these things are great. There are at least a dozen different ways to use this simple snood, but every use is greatly appreciated. Not obviously you don’t need one from every race- soon you’d have a box of these to donate. But when they pop up they’re certainly appreciated.
Nutrition Samples. Everyone has their favorites. Some people like Gu, some like Honey Stinger, some like Gatorade. Some people want powders to drop in their water, some want gummy snacks, and some want an instant shot. But we all like instant satisfaction of reaching into the race packet and pulling out something we can consume. Business cards and flyers with coupons are great for later in the week or month, but nutrition samples can be enjoyed on race day or hoarded for training.
Massage. This doesn’t actually fit in the swag bag, unless it’s a coupon which will probably not be looked at for a week or so and possibly never redeemed. But one of the best possible things a race can offer is a massage at the finish line. It’s especially nice when there is more than one masseuse so the line isn’t longer than the race. You should probably still tip, that’s only fair, but a $5-10 post-race massage might be the best gift you can get.
So… Other than a bottle of wine (seriously, I’m looking into the Wicked Wine 5k so I can say I got wine at the finish line. I’m just hesitant because I can’t drink red and don’t want to miss out if there aren’t options) what do YOU want to find in your Swag Bag?