Race numbers and safety pins - is there something better?

daymobrew

With all the advancements in footwear and accessories (GPS watches, timing chips), why are we still using safety pins on our race numbers? Even at international elite level the safety pins are in use.

The race numbers for Dublin Simon Fun Run in 2009 were self adhesive. They worked for me but apparently not for others.

Are there new solutions out there?

Shane O' Malley

Not sure what the problem with Safety pins is? Only done a couple of races but worked well for me. Is there a downside ?

Shane

daymobrew

Shane O' Malley wrote: »

Not sure what the problem with Safety pins is? Only done a couple of races but worked well for me. Is there a downside?

Tiny holes in my nice race gear
They work and work well - otherwise an alternative would be developed.
Just curious if there is something new out there.

robinph

The sticky numbers don't even work when they have them on sprinters thighs in the Olympics and they tend to come flying off after the first 10 meters. Can't see them remaining attached to a multitude of different fabrics that people wear as running tops in races. Have had some pretty tatty race number material used for numbers before that only survived due to it not raining that day, but they did at least stay attached as you have to physically connect it to you with the pin.

People should use less of the pins though. Once you've done one race then you'll have a set of four pins. Keep them and take them for your next race rather than continually getting new ones each time.

ecoli

Racing in Spain last year i saw novel little button type clips. One went on front of your singlet the second part went under your singlet and clipped together through the material. No damage to the singlet and clipped off easy after. Best thing was the sponsors covered these as it had their logo on the buttons and were only the size of your finger tip.

nerraw1111

Ah buts it’s not about the pins it is about the hallowed process of putting the number on.

You’re not in race mode until you’re trying to figure out where to put the pins. "Too high up? Crap, better lower the left pin. Ah now the right is lopside. I should really have figured how to put a number on at this stage etc."

You have to fix at least two pins before you’re good to go.

Sure why would you want to lose those five minute before the race? The calm before the storm.

robinph

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Ah buts it’s not about the pins it is about the hallowed process of putting the number on.

You’re not in race mode until you’re trying to figure out where to put the pins. "Too high up? Crap, better lower the left pin. Ah now the right is lopside. I should really have figured how to put a number on at this stage etc."

You have to fix at least two pins before you’re good to go.

Sure why would you want to lose those five minute before the race? The calm before the storm.

+1

It certainly helps when your club vest has a well positioned horizontal stripe to line the number up with.

brutes1

Id agree time is up for numbers and pins!! There has to be a serious opportunity here to combine number and chip and no pins all in one thingy and make some money out of it:D
..ive spent ages pre races when my nerves are shot anyway trying to pin on numbers and tie up chips it is a pain !!
Somebody has to have the idea that works..

sconhome

Use a race belt! Will hold your number and gels, nice and neat.

You also get to feel like Batman with a utility belt.

lecheile

robinph wrote: »

well positioned horizontal stripe to line the number up with.

not sure how useful a horizontal stripe is Robin - best advice is to avoid unless you want to look wider than you actually are

daymobrew

amphkingwest wrote: »

Use a race belt! Will hold your number and gels, nice and neat.

And you can move it to cover your backside if you are feeling a bit self conscious.

I have had minor annoyances with a race belt when the race number has the timing chip attached - the race number bounces a bit, slapping against me.

How about race gear with a cleanable area on the front and/or rear that can be written on?

SpeedyDude

ecoli wrote: »

Racing in Spain last year i saw novel little button type clips. One went on front of your singlet the second part went under your singlet and clipped together through the material. No damage to the singlet and clipped off easy after. Best thing was the sponsors covered these as it had their logo on the buttons and were only the size of your finger tip.

I raced in the Madrid Half marathon this year (2011) and I got those button like clips for holding the race numbers. Went the whole 21kms and not a problem. I've kept them and I'm gonna use them every race I'm gonna run from now on. Gaterade were the sponsor of the clips I had. I'd be a great gap in the market to enter if anyone fancies give me an investment

TrinityPhD

I used a stapler to attach the bottom portion of my number for the GIR.
It worked a treat, much easier to position than safety pins.

SpeedyDude

Trinity PhD that is probably the craziest thing I've heard in a long time,hahhaha brilliant. fair play. We'll all turn into Mac Gyver by the end of this.

RayCun

donothoponpop, is it too late to get integrated number holders added to our Boards tops?

robinph

Just spotted that it's the first of a new parkrun event locally tomorrow. They don't have numbers at all, it's all done with a barcode that you keep for every event you do with them, which are all free.

Couldn't find the laminating machine in the office just now though so had to make do with printing my "number" onto the thickest bit of paper I could finds and then covering it in sellotape. I don't think it will survive long in the back pocket of my shorts during the run, but best I could figure out at short notice.

pgmcpq

nerraw1111 wrote: »

You’re not in race mode until you’re trying to figure out where to put the pins. "Too high up? Crap, better lower the left pin. Ah now the right is lopside. I should really have figured how to put a number on at this stage etc."

In the US race bibs come with (dramatic pause) .... holes punched in the four corners. SO much easier. Getting my DCM bib attached comfortably last year took me a lot longer than five minutes.