Which event has best medal/t-shirt

Birroc

Which event has the best medal and which event has the best t-shirt.

For me:
Medal = Dublin City Marathon
T-Shirt = Connemara Marathon

Krusty_Clown

More importantly, which event has the best event?

Chartsengrafs

To be fair, that's not the question they asked

ger664

Athens last year.

As it was an anniversary race medal was a once off and Addias Technical shirt probably worth bout 30 euros

RayCun

Little Rock marathon

baza1976

Birroc wrote: »

Which event has the best medal and which event has the best t-shirt.

For me:
Medal = Dublin City Marathon
T-Shirt = Connemara Marathon

I don't from which year you have the t-shirt, but the one from this years connemarathon is SH!TE quality. I have a cotton one from 2008 and a tech one from 2009 which was decent quality and the print is still on them. But this years one is a much poorer quality material and the print(whats left of it) won't last long.

Anyway to answer question

Medal = Dublin
T-shirt = Cork 2009. Nice red cotton top with funky design that always catches peoples eye

rovers_runner

Which event deserves a medal for ripping off the public.

For me:
Connemara Marathon

There, fixed it for you.

menoscemo

I really liked the t-shirt for this years Barcelona marathon:



Dublin Marathon has consistently had the nicest medals of any race I have done.

rom

rovers_runner wrote: »

Which event deserves a medal for ripping off the public.

For me:
Connemara Marathon

There, fixed it for you.

Bay run bantry. 50 euro and only got a banana to eat.

pconn062

I also love the Dublin marathon Medals. As for t-shirt the best one I ever got was at the Dundalk half marathon this year, they are illuminous green and will be great for running in the winter.

ManFromAtlantis

dont have one but the gaelforce west t shirt look the biz.

i liked the dub marathon tech tops too 07/8. (altho the orange writing and the word finisher i thought were naffy enough)

medals dont do anything for me i'm afraid.

robinph

Dublin Marathon medals are the best of the current ones I've got hanging off the end of a bookcase. I did get a Bristol Half medal donkeys years ago which was made of blue glass and so pretty unique, well apart from the other couple of thousand people who got one too.

rainbow kirby

menoscemo wrote: »

I really liked the t-shirt for this years Barcelona marathon:

Men's one was better than the women's one, ours was v-neck, black and pink (kirby no likey pink) and cut for Nora No-Boobs.

Ruu_Old

Illinois Marathon.

2011 medals. 5k, 10k, relay, wheelchair, half-marathon, marathon, youth run and 'I-challenge' medal. (do the 5k on Friday night and the half or full the next morning)

tHE vAGGABOND

Which event deserves a medal for ripping off the public.
Connemara Marathon

So how much should we pay for one of the best organised races of the year?

• Excellent organisation before and after IMHO
• Transport for thousands of people to and from Galway [and elsewhere] out to the race in middle of nowhere [to 3 different starting points, for the 3 different races].
• Loads of drinks out of course and loads of temp loo's all over course in middle of nowhere
• A well organised bag drop..
• Virtually unlimited food and soup afterwards in the hotel
• A finishers tee-shirt which is nice and seems to last, unlike many others, you always see people in Phoenix park running on 3,4,5 year old ones, which have clearly been worn and washed many times [where others are cheap and dont last many washes

A bargain IMHO - for what you get

TFBubendorfer

My favourite t-shirt is from the Loch Ness marathon. It features the logo from that picture:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_M1ruWuoN9-I/S9BRqQDzx7I/AAAAAAAAB6M/NTEjSC_5BzU/s1600/Loch+Ness+Marathon.JPG

baza1976

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

So how much should we pay for one of the best organised races of the year?

• Excellent organisation before and after IMHO
• Transport for thousands of people to and from Galway [and elsewhere] out to the race in middle of nowhere [to 3 different starting points, for the 3 different races].
• Loads of drinks out of course and loads of temp loo's all over course in middle of nowhere
• A well organised bag drop..
• Virtually unlimited food and soup afterwards in the hotel
• A finishers tee-shirt which is nice and seems to last, unlike many others, you always see people in Phoenix park running on 3,4,5 year old ones, which have clearly been worn and washed many times [where others are cheap and dont last many washes

A bargain IMHO - for what you get

What people get and what people want are far too often very different.

What I want: A decent goodie bag, not what i received in Connemarathon 2011. Surely it would,'t have been too hard for someone to make contact with marketing/advertising depts and put some gels/drinks/bars/deod/sunblock etc into the bags. All I got was an empty white bag:eek:
I also want a decent shirt be it cotton or technical. I refuse to accept that the 2011 "tech top" was a good quality top. It's sh!te.
I want a decent medal.

And I don't want to hear about the lovely view. For the enrty fee I paid I could have filled the car brought the wife and 3 kids, drove to connemara and we would have all seen the lovely veiws.

ElectraX

Best medal I've received to date is the Dublin Marathon.They seem to be consistently good quality every year, don't think the same can be said about the tshirts.Wasn't particularly impressed with the quality of the one last year,and they rush you on so quickly at the finish line I would say alot of people ended up choosing the wrong size.

On the point of goodie bags- I personally would prefer no goodie bag if it meant a race would be cheaper but I really think it's a disgrace that one of the big expensive races like Connemara has such poor goodie bags/tshirts considering it's a well established/promoted race.
I ran the Sportsworld 5 mile race two weeks ago, entry fee 15 euros. At the finish line everyone got a bag with water/chocolate/flapjacks then there was also tea/coffee/sandwiches and cakes at the prizegiving.If they can organise that on a budget of 15 euro per head, with a total of 300-400 runners, what is the excuse of the Connemarathon organisers, raking in 70 euros per head from thousands of runners, yet seemingly unable to provide something similar

tHE vAGGABOND

What ever about peoples other problems with Connemara [which I disagree with for the record, but I dont want to totally hijack the thread] - Im flabbergasted at people slagging off the teeshirt you get at end..

At the random boards training meet ups in phoenix park and in UCD its not uncommon at all for multiple people to be wearing Conn shirts at any one time [more than once everyone or nearly everyone is wearing one, often from 3 or 4 different years]. its easily the most common tee-shirt I see running around dublin, and thus is clearly durable and looks good, so folks like it [or they would not wear it].

The only thing I have, myself, which even comes close, is the compression top I got at Rathfarnham 5k, which is a great running top, spoiled with horrible print

You guys clearly have high standards [and I have no problem with that], or just a bee in your bonnet against the conn full stop [which I do, but its an issue for its own thread].

Marthastew

I loved this year's Paris marathon T-shirt, asics. The medal was super too although my 8year old son REALLY liked it cos it's a gold Eiffel tower so it's probably actually tacky! I would have liked to upload a picture but as I'm a newbie I haven't figured out how to yet

ThisRegard

Can't beat the WARs for the cycling top you get there.

baza1976

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

What ever about peoples other problems with Connemara [which I disagree with for the record, but I dont want to totally hijack the thread] - Im flabbergasted at people slagging off the teeshirt you get at end..At the random boards training meet ups in phoenix park and in UCD its not uncommon at all for multiple people to be wearing Conn shirts at any one time [more than once everyone or nearly everyone is wearing one, often from 3 or 4 different years]. its easily the most common tee-shirt I see running around dublin, and thus is clearly durable and looks good, so folks like it [or they would not wear it].

The only thing I have, myself, which even comes close, is the compression top I got at Rathfarnham 5k, which is a great running top, spoiled with horrible print

You guys clearly have high standards [and I have no problem with that], or just a bee in your bonnet against the conn full stop [which I do, but its an issue for its own thread].

I applogise to the OP for an off topic reply, but I feel you have neglected my point in any of my posts regarding the t-shirt. I did say that the 2008(cotton) and 2009(tech) shirts are still in good condition after many many turns in the washing machine. But the 2011 tech top is of a much lower quality then previous years ( i did not run conn in 2010). The 2011 was deffo not same quality of 2009. If you want to know the worse t-shirt I ever got, it was the limerick marathon 2010...... now if you come back defending that marathon in 2010....... Just letting you know that Conn is not my least favourite, that I have completed worse.

Birroc

baza1976 wrote: »

I applogise to the OP for an off topic reply, but I feel you have neglected my point in any of my posts regarding the t-shirt. I did say that the 2008(cotton) and 2009(tech) shirts are still in good condition after many many turns in the washing machine. But the 2011 tech top is of a much lower quality then previous years ( i did not run conn in 2010). The 2011 was deffo not same quality of 2009. If you want to know the worse t-shirt I ever got, it was the limerick marathon 2010...... now if you come back defending that marathon in 2010....... Just letting you know that Conn is not my least favourite, that I have completed worse.

I have the 2009 tech top from Connemara and I love it. Durable too.

Krusty_Clown

baza1976 wrote: »

the worse t-shirt I ever got, it was the limerick marathon 2010

I thought it was great! Perfect for wearing at the start of another marathon when it's really cold, and discarding as soon as the race begins. We need more disposable long sleeve tops!

nerraw1111

Best top I got was at the Tulfarris Ten miler. Helly Hanson long sleeve tech top, still in perfect nick.

Was disappointed with the Gaelforce top from last year. On first inspection, it looked fine. But it weighs a ton and the material is a bit crap. I've worn it twice.

Regarding goodie bags. Would prefer not to get one given how crap they usually are. They're usually used by the race organiser as a justification for the cost or as a reason to enter the race in the first place. Really don't see the point of a race advertising a goodie bag as a reason to enter the race.

TFBubendorfer

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Was disappointed with the Gaelforce top from last year. On first inspection, it looked fine. But it weighs a ton and the material is a bit crap. I've worn it twice.

I thought exactly the same about last year's Cork marathon t-shirt.

Mr Freeze

nerraw1111 wrote: »

Best top I got was at the Tulfarris Ten miler. Helly Hanson long sleeve tech top, still in perfect nick.

Was disappointed with the Gaelforce top from last year. On first inspection, it looked fine. But it weighs a ton and the material is a bit crap. I've worn it twice.

I second both those points.

The Tulfarris 10 top is great, and has been used tonnes.
The Gaelforce tops are pure crap, and only get use as a base layer on a bad day.

The 2011 Wicklow Adventure Cycling Jersey is class too. Last years one was a tad small.

Tipp man running

I second that about the cork marathon top 2010, very heavy material...best medal the last few years has consistently been the Dublin marathon one.

Marthastew

Completely forgot the Top from the Athlone 3/4 Marathon last year..... Helly Hansen, great quality and it always gets complimented when I wear it. I also use the rubbish tops as throw away tops to wear before a race.

Jeffm587

I have a Conn T-shirt from 04 and 06. Still wear both in the gym and out for a run and they are both grand considering the hundreds of washes at this stage. Dublin medal for me is the best but I dont really care about the medals. Used to love the plaques in the 80's and 90's for Dublin. Belfast T shirt ,,awful!

ElectraX

Agree on the Tulfarris 10 top...really good quality Helly Hansen top-have used it more than any other.

Birroc

Marthastew wrote: »

Completely forgot the Top from the Athlone 3/4 Marathon last year..... Helly Hansen, great quality and it always gets complimented when I wear it.

Actually yes that's a great top, I hardly ever wear it because it's so good!

Birroc

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

My favourite t-shirt is from the Loch Ness marathon.

Is that a good event?

TFBubendorfer

Birroc wrote: »

Loch Ness marathon:Is that a good event?

I did it in 2007 and absolutely loved it. Narrow country roads beside a beautiful lake that had me feel like home in Kerry, very well organised, even the pre-race dinner was delicious and plenty.

I'd recommend it any day.

I did recommend it to someone who ran it (2009, I think). I told him about the excellent organisation and how flawlessly the bus transfer from Inverness to the start works.

Then, of course, something happened at the transfer and the race started an hour late. :rolleyes: He still enjoyed it, though.

I can definitely recommend the race. And the shoe laces/Nessie logo is still the best I've ever seen.

ElectraX

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I can definitely recommend the race. And the shoe laces/Nessie logo is still the best I've ever seen.

Is it very hilly? Looking for a marathon to do this year and Loch Ness is definitely on my list of potential ones, especially due to the time of year it's on as it still allows for months of training.Would like to improve on my Dublin time from last year though, so the less hills the better:rolleyes:

ManFromAtlantis

ElectraX wrote: »

Agree on the Tulfarris 10 top...really good quality Helly Hansen top-have used it more than any other.

could anyone post a pic of this top ta

opus

Tipp man running wrote: »

I second that about the cork marathon top 2010, very heavy material...best medal the last few years has consistently been the Dublin marathon one.

Yup I'd agree with that about the '10 CCM top, I was amazed to see people running with it during the race itself, hopefully this year's one will be a bit better.

I quite like the top I got at the Clonmel half-marathon last year & the the DCM long-sleeved top is handy when needed. Don't really pay any attention to the medals tbh.

TFBubendorfer

ElectraX wrote: »

Is it very hilly? Looking for a marathon to do this year and Loch Ness is definitely on my list of potential ones, especially due to the time of year it's on as it still allows for months of training.Would like to improve on my Dublin time from last year though, so the less hills the better:rolleyes:

Trying to remember ... it's been a while!

It's a lot of downhill in the first 7 or 8 miles, then mostly flat until mile 16. Then you get "The Hill" for 2 miles, and another, smaller, hill at mile 21. Time should be reasonably similar to Dublin for the same effort.

Sorry about the off-topic debate.

pmcd22

I guess the only person to answer the OP question is the person that has taken part in all events that have given out T-shirts.

I took part in the Loughrea 10k last year, first 10k and still the only one i done as got sick, but back out again in the last 2 weeks.
Only 20euro entry and the t-shirt is nearly worth all that.



Its more mile, i guess the local sponsers really helped in getting that level of quality of a t-shirt. Hopefully i will do another race and get another t-shirt. I rather pay the extra 5euro and get a t-shirt.

I got a snood in a duathlon i took part in. Can be seen on my blog.
Most thing i hate is getting nothing. :mad:

Fi H

I have to say my favorite t-shirt so far is the connemara adventure challenge one from this year. Its really comfy and will definitely wear it again when I get round to washing it

Overall though in general I think the majority of the t-shirts received are pretty unwearable from my perspective. None of the races offer womens sizes and I dont care what anyone says there is a difference between the cut on a mens tshirt vs a womens one and if you want to argue it then i suggest someone runs a race and offers only womens sizes up to triple extra large and see how the lads react when they are handed a womens tshirt.

At this stage given most races ask for sizes when you are booking your place theres really no reason why a womens fit couldnt be offered.

I would rather have a buff or a water bottle or a map case or a shoe bag or something else than another tshirt that I wont wear.

The other thing I've noticed now is this trend towards non race specific tshirts. I appreciate that this is a lot cheaper and makes sense from an organising perspective but you then end up with a load of tshirts the exact same.

Anyway my least favorite are the ones with the zip all down the front.

Overall in the grand scheme of things though I think the races are becoming very expensive so I would rather have a lower entry rate with the option to purchase a tshirt than a mandatory mens one

TFBubendorfer

Fi H wrote: »

I would rather have a buff or a water bottle or a map case or a shoe bag or something else than another tshirt that I wont wear.

Actually, I agree with that for the simple reason that by now I really have enough t-shirts already, thank you very much. And I'm sure I'm not the only one in that boat.

Marthastew

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Actually, I agree with that for the simple reason that by now I really have enough t-shirts already, thank you very much. And I'm sure I'm not the only one in that boat.

I also agree. Water bottles would be a super idea and I also agree that cheaper entry and no T-shirt would make more sense, except maybe for full marathons. I stilll wear all of those tops and I'm only too delighted to fill people in when they make the mistake of asking me how I did in the marathon!

Adventurer10

I'd sacrifice the t-shirt for a cheaper entry fee, but i'm happy with most so long as they are not white colour. Gathering a big collection of t-shirts/cycle tops by now and would much more appreciate another type of momento.

Recently got a cool rucksack at the Open Race part of European Duathlon Championship weekend in Limerick, guess that was possible by good sponsorship.

Got a nice mug at the Run a Muck race last year which proabaly does a better job at advetising the race than a t-shirt I won't wear as whoever gets to drink tea out of it gets to hear all the stories from the race

A fleece or a rain top would be a nice change too

ThePiedPiper

Seville marathon does away with the T-shirt and instead gives a running vest, shorts and a towel. The medal is pretty nice too.

G-Money

I did the Dunboyne 4 mile race earlier this year and the t-shirt from it seemed quite nice. Am 99.9% sure it was a technical t-shirt as well. Unfortunately I'm too big for it at the moment, but hopefully not for too much longer

The Great Ireland Run t-shirt was nice to look at but wouldn't be one to wear when you're doing a lot of running, especially in the rain. I made the mistake several months ago of running in the rain in a cotton t-shirt and my nipples were like red traffic lights for the next day or two!