Grand Prix Race Award idea

[stealthycat]

I am not sure how difficult this would be to coordinate, but it would be super cool for all of the Grand Prix races to do a glass or beer mug for the awards for their races for 2011 and at the end of the year you would have a set. I love the Chile Pepper mugs and I also got a great glass at The Fall Festival 5K one year in Russellville. Brad was just telling me how neat it would be to have all the races doing a glass for their award or instead of the t-shirt (gosh knows I have enough t-shirts) but I am not sure how it compares as far as monetarily, it was just kind of a shell of an idea and I am probably the only one who wants a set of race glasses/mugs.

[Mac]

While stationed over in Germany, I did over 100 Volksmarches (5k to 20k) and at each Volksmarch when I got done, I received a bier stein (all you had to do was finish). This is a great idea, although I'll never win a bier mug trophy...

[stealthycat]

While stationed over in Germany, I did over 100 Volksmarches (5k to 20k) and at each Volksmarch when I got done, I received a bier stein (all you had to do was finish). This is a great idea, although I'll never win a bier mug trophy...

:) Well what about a bier mug instead of a t-shirt? We had some great t-shirts this year, some of the best I have gotten since i started running 8 years ago, but I would welcome a change although I am not sure what the cost difference between a $2 t-shirt and a $? glass.

[stealthycat]

Well it looks like there are a lot of options!

http://www.discountmugs.com/nc/style/16 ... beer-mugs/

[kimhoward]

$2 t-shirt? Where are you getting your's at? We had mugs for trophies at the Watermelon 5K. They were $2.50 or so each. The only complaint we had was from the younger runners, as they don't drink coffee,,,,or most don't, so they didn't care much for them. I don't mind getting a few every now and then, but I don't drink coffee either, so I either take them to my sister at work, or throw them away. But, I know lots of runners do like them

[stealthycat]

$2 t-shirt? Where are you getting your's at? We had mugs for trophies at the Watermelon 5K. They were $2.50 or so each. The only complaint we had was from the younger runners, as they don't drink coffee,,,,or most don't, so they didn't care much for them. I don't mind getting a few every now and then, but I don't drink coffee either, so I either take them to my sister at work, or throw them away. But, I know lots of runners do like them

Kim, I'm talking glass beer (or soda) mug here. Throw that glass mug in the freezer and then pour your brewski in it - YUM. And I have never ordered t-shirts so I am pretty ignorant on prices.

[stealthycat]

Another drawback to using mugs instead of t-shirts is that there are a lot of first time runners who really want a t-shirt, I am sure. So that is probably not the best idea in the world. but:

[Davy Insell]

I got a glass stein at a race a few years ago in Minnesota. It was a nice change, although I prefer getting a medal personally. And lord knows I don't need another tshirt.

[LT]

I'm with Ginny on this one.

Something useful. :)

[stealthycat]

=

All I'm saying is it might be some incentive to "collect" a "set" of a series of mugs/glasses. I ran 11 GP races this year, I might have run 12 if I could get a set of 12 glasses with which to set my Redneck holiday table. Heck I might do 13 if I had an extra for drunken breakage. <- I heart him.

[Brian S-ski]

I would love to get rid of T-shirts being some mandatory part of the road racing scene. But... a lot of times races need to have shirts so they have something to put sponsors logos on. Otherwise, they might not have as many sponsors. From trying to get sponsors in the past, I can tell you that a lot of businesses could care less about a logo/link on the race website that a few hundred people might see compared to a logo on back of the t-shirt that will be seen by the general public.

As for awards, we've already got ours ordered for the 15K and I hate to say it but they are not drinking vessels of any kind. But it will definitely be something a runner can use.

[LT]

yeah, I don't think you can replace shirts....because for each of us who don't care to have another shirt, there are at least 2 people who do it FOR the shirt....or want to make a quilt....and as pointed out, the sponsors.

Awards however, I think would be great to do glasses, but really just anything useful would be better....looking forward to seeing what the 15k mystery award is! (<-- for you Ginny)

[stealthycat]

I would love to get rid of T-shirts being some mandatory part of the road racing scene. But... a lot of times races need to have shirts so they have something to put sponsors logos on. Otherwise, they might not have as many sponsors. From trying to get sponsors in the past, I can tell you that a lot of businesses could care less about a logo/link on the race website that a few hundred people might see compared to a logo on back of the t-shirt that will be seen by the general public.

As for awards, we've already got ours ordered for the 15K and I hate to say it but they are not drinking vessels of any kind. But it will definitely be something a runner can use.

ooh, I didn't think of sponsors, but I can see that as an issue - and so much for the vessel idea, maybe it will be taken up later. I know a lot of people love a t-shirt and a lot of people love a medal or a trophy, but I'll be thinking about the 15K just cuz you said it's "useable."



And I'm leaving now to go sort out t-shirts to donate. It's.... out of hand.

AND LT thanks for the extra Mr. Green.

[sassyangelac]

With two runners in our house we now have a plethora of mugs, glasses, plastic cups, soup bowls, ceramic plates, water bottles, duffle bags, sleeveless vests, printed bandanas, socks, caps, back packs, medals, trophies, plaques, shopping bags, tech shirts, and the ever popular t-shirts all acquired as race awards or gifts with purchase (registration). The incentive to collect anything went away a long time ago.

[The Pink Panther]

For me....it's MEDALS MEDALS MEDALS with trophies, plaques and funny shaped running regalia following close behind.....I don't care how big or small but unique medals are my favorite and I'm pretty new to running so the shirt is important to me. My first GP race was Toad Suck 10k 2010 so I didn't even get a full season of shirts. I did get a glass for Fall Fest in Russellville this year and last but it's such a small logo and it only tells my place by a little sticker on the bottom. My husband made me a cool display rack for the medals and other stuff can sit on top of the shelf.

My favorite GP medals this year were the Soaring Wings Half and the Spa 10k but my all time favorite medals are the USA Track and Field State Championship Medals and the Cross Country Championship Medals. They are multi-colored and have nice ribbons too. My favorite non-medal award is the Soaring Wings Runner trophy with the wings. My little winged runner has the chip in his hands as he's posed on my shelf

Maybe you could make some mugs for your self commemorating each race. I know Walmart has a design your own mug thing. Not sure how much they are but they are there. Maybe they'll do a glass too. You might check with a local printing shop to see what they'd charge to do some straight word printing on a glass that you bought yourself. It could be affordable if you shopped carefully. Good luck on your quest for cool beer glasses! I'd happily share one with you!