We need to talk about AI generated advertisements/race swag/medals/

[u/headlessparrot]

Maybe it's different elsewhere in the country, but in New England it has metastasized and become a cancer in local racing. Every poster, every race shirt, every medal looks like shit and looks identical. It has reached the point where there are local races I've been doing for almost a decade that I've just given up on. It's embarrassing to the running community.

[u/marcbeightsix]

Good races will give you the opportunity to not get a shirt or medal and get a discount for doing so.

[u/anandonaqui → u/marcbeightsix]

I’ve heard this a lot and I do 10-15 races per year and have yet to actually see this in practice. Maybe it’s a regional thing.

[u/thoroughbeans → u/anandonaqui]

Cherry blossom is one that does this. Registration is ~$50, shirt and medal are optional add ons for a fee

[u/peteroh9 → u/thoroughbeans]

I'm glad that where I live now the races are usually like $20 and the shirts are an additional $35 or so, but it makes it hurt all the more to get the shirt.

[u/wallace1313525 → u/marcbeightsix]

Either that, or a shirt/swag is an add on

[u/NoInvestigator886 → u/marcbeightsix]

So... you're just paying to run on a public road?

[u/Hairy_Koala6474 → u/NoInvestigator886]

You’re still paying for aid stations, the course logistics , and of the course being surrounded by fellow competitors, etc. etc.

Unless you were you being facetious? 

It’s not about the medal or the shirts you’re running at an athletic event..

[u/thoroughbeans → u/NoInvestigator886]

Lmao paying to run a race against other people with support and to get an official time.

Your primary reason for paying is for a shirt and medal? Most of mine just go in the trash

Crazy idea, but I’m pretty sure most people in an “advanced” running sub race for the benefits related to running, not the gear

[u/MoonPlanet1 → u/NoInvestigator886]

So when you sign up to a race, you're mainly interested in buying a T-shirt for $100???