? for Runners that don't believe in wearing shirt b4 earned

k7n2w3
k7n2w3 Posts: 241 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Ok I am a total subscriber to you can only wear the shirt AFTER the race and after it is earned. My friends and I are firm believers but don't judge others for wearing it though. I would like to ask those that also believe in that theory a question... so my sister knows someone who is running in the Police Memorial Run from Philly to Washington DC. To raise money for that, the person is selling tshirts from the race that say Police Memorial Run 2012... looks like a regular race shirt. I have run several races and if I had to cancel on a race I know that I would not wear the shirt from that race... since the shirt is what is given in exchange for the donation I'm not sure if that's a game-changer. The theory of "it's for charity" does not work because every race i do/will do is for a charity and if I cancelled on a race then I wouldnt wear the shirt. I have no problem giving my $12 donation without a tshirt but wasn't sure the "runner's protocol" on this. thoughts? And i'm not asking to be told that the "not wearing until earned is flawed" i'm pretty stuck on that theory and can't be talked away from it lol
Thanks!
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Replies

  • stuffinmuffin
    stuffinmuffin Posts: 985 Member
    Isn't wearing the shirt at any time good promotion for the cause?
  • k7n2w3
    k7n2w3 Posts: 241 Member
    I can see that point of view but then the shirt shouldn't say "run" on it in a way. And when you sign up for a run it's a commitment to the charity so then you earn the shirt by fulfiling the requirement. I am more concerned with the idea of "not wearing" unless you earn it and if this particular shirt is under that rule since it's a 'run'. I have no problem donating the money to it though just having the shirt without doing the run.
  • gdunn55
    gdunn55 Posts: 363
    I usually don't wear the shirt for at least a week after the race. I haven't signed up and not competed yet so I can't help you. I do believe that it's up to you. You paid money to do an event and if you can't attend but are given a free shirt I don't see why not. It doesn't matter if you ran or not, the money is still being contributed, unless it's a pride thing for you. If you decide to not wear it for pride, what happens to the shirt?
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Seems WAY more complicated than it needs to be.
  • Ironman2be
    Ironman2be Posts: 140 Member
    They give you the shirt to wear during the race. Of course most shirts are cotton and aren't very good to wear. Most high end races are giving out technical shirts which unless they say "Finisher" on them are totally acceptable to wear.
  • kekl
    kekl Posts: 382 Member
    Seems WAY more complicated than it needs to be.

    Definately.
    What about people that work at the race or volunteer? Do they not get to wear the shirts just because they didn't run the race? :tongue:
  • DrBorkBork
    DrBorkBork Posts: 4,099 Member
    I'll wear my shirt during the race if it's for a 5k, but you better believe I'm saving my first half-marathon & marathon shirts for the second I cross the line.
  • athensguy
    athensguy Posts: 550
    You paid for the shirt. You can wear it if you want to.
  • legmotor
    legmotor Posts: 197 Member
    Seriously? It is a T-SHIRT...

    I'd think there are more important things to focus on than worrying that someone might be wearing a t-shirt that they didn't actually "run" in.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    So...if someone does not play for an NFL team should they not wear an NFL jersey?
  • Shriffee
    Shriffee Posts: 250 Member
    Who cares?
  • livinginwoods
    livinginwoods Posts: 562 Member
    Hmmm. Sounds complicated and a tad picky.
  • MattGetsMad
    MattGetsMad Posts: 429 Member
    So...if someone does not play for an NFL team should they not wear an NFL jersey?

    lol, this made me think of my dad. Anytime he see's someone all geared out in their favorite team's attire, he points them out and calls them a "jock-sniffer"

    Gotta love dad.
  • dane11235813
    dane11235813 Posts: 682 Member
    sorry OP, but don't you have more important things in life than to worry about this? it seems you have given this WAY too much thought.
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    Isn't wearing the shirt at any time good promotion for the cause?


    TOTALLY this, PLUS I don't run and wear the shirts to workout in all the time. I do, however walk and/or avid volunteer. To me, its more about getting the cause's name out there so others will ask questions and promote awareness, but again, I'm not a runner, so....


    ETA: I've been involving in organizing and volunteering for a cause near and dear to my heart for 10+ years. It is ALL about the advertisement of the cause.
  • redefiningmyself
    redefiningmyself Posts: 476 Member
    Isn't wearing the shirt at any time good promotion for the cause?

    Exactly. That's WHY they give out shirts. Its not the same as recieving a ribbon or metal after the accomplishment of completing the run. Its to create awareness in others - those that would see you (friends, family, acquaintenances, coworkers etc) - and to promote their cause, so they can get more funding to do what they need to. Trust me when I say, your $12 donation doesn't go very far. In fact, you could donation a $1000 and it still doesn't go far, so they NEED that awareness and funding. The shirt has nothing to do with whether you even show up for the run or not little alone complete the run.

    If you don't want to wear it till after, then don't. Do whatever makes you happy. But please don't pass judgement on others for doing what the charity intended in the first place - which is to wear the shirt.

    (I've been involved in running and participating in non-profit charity events for 22 years)
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    I don't think they should wear the shirt unless they win the race.



    That's how those races work, right? If you come in first, you get to wear the shirt?
  • KaciWood19
    KaciWood19 Posts: 396 Member
    So...if someone does not play for an NFL team should they not wear an NFL jersey?

    LOL.

    I think that the shirt is in return for your donation, I think it is good promotion to wear it for the cause.
  • Lib_B
    Lib_B Posts: 446 Member
    Seems WAY more complicated than it needs to be.

    This ^^^^^

    Or print different shirts for the runners. However, IMO - who the heck cares if you are promoting a good cause? The tshirts aren't a trophy. They are to bring attention to a cause. As someone who works for a non-profit org which does events, we print shirts for messaging - not necessarily as a reward. It's a premium people get for participating...like a PBS tote bag.
  • chachadiva150
    chachadiva150 Posts: 453 Member
    I can see that point of view but then the shirt shouldn't say "run" on it in a way. And when you sign up for a run it's a commitment to the charity so then you earn the shirt by fulfiling the requirement. I am more concerned with the idea of "not wearing" unless you earn it and if this particular shirt is under that rule since it's a 'run'. I have no problem donating the money to it though just having the shirt without doing the run.
    Sweetie, it ain't that deep. It's a shirt. Just a piece of clothing. It is not an emblem.

    In any case, you "earn" your shirt; others will just wear them. Life goes on.
  • Crimson_
    Crimson_ Posts: 60
    Seems WAY more complicated than it needs to be.


    yea its a freakin shirt....heck i bought shirts at thrift stores that were for other runs and i wear them and i never even HEARD of the cause, but who cares, wear it if it fits, when you want and how you want.
  • Graciecny
    Graciecny Posts: 302 Member
    I have a shirt for a 70.3 that I sure as heck didn't complete, but I did volunteer an entire day of my life, and that shirt was my thank-you for doing so. I wear it all the time, but I'm pretty sure people seeing me in it don't think I did the race. :laugh: Never gave a thought to wearing it, to be honest. You give it to me, I wear it. :wink:
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    I've never received a shirt for a race until race day. I'd feel like a complete tool wearing a race shirt to the race I'm doing that day, or a concert tee at a show as I'm walking away from the booth. I always wait until the next day to wear my newly acquired awesome apparel.
  • Kougra
    Kougra Posts: 358 Member
    Just recently I wasn't able to make a race due to a stress fracture in my 1st metatarsal. It was for a charity that I paid the entry fee and received a shirt. I figure that I donated to a good cause and got a shirt. Felt bad I didn't make the run but I know the money went to a good cause. And I am going to wear the shirt. Its just a shirt.
  • painthoss
    painthoss Posts: 63 Member
    I don't think they should wear the shirt unless they win the race.

    That's how those races work, right? If you come in first, you get to wear the shirt?

    Yup. And Mr. or Ms. Last Place has to get naked on the spot.
  • HardcorePork
    HardcorePork Posts: 109 Member
    Isn't wearing the shirt at any time good promotion for the cause?

    +1 If you're running for charity, donating to charity, or raising money for charity...it's the CAUSE that matters most. Running snobbery aside for this one.
  • chaniray
    chaniray Posts: 83 Member
    i would think the charity/event would appreciate the exposure...
  • Il_DaniD_lI
    Il_DaniD_lI Posts: 1,593 Member
    Who cares?

    ^This. It's a t-shirt not a gold medal.
  • Crimson_
    Crimson_ Posts: 60
    I have a shirt for a 70.3 that I sure as heck didn't complete, but I did volunteer an entire day of my life, and that shirt was my thank-you for doing so. I wear it all the time, but I'm pretty sure people seeing me in it don't think I did the race. :laugh: Never gave a thought to wearing it, to be honest. You give it to me, I wear it. :wink:


    indeed there are many ways you support the event other than running...or walking w/e
  • L00py_T0ucan
    L00py_T0ucan Posts: 1,378 Member
    I don't think they should wear the shirt unless they win the race.

    That's how those races work, right? If you come in first, you get to wear the shirt?

    Yup. And Mr. or Ms. Last Place has to get naked on the spot.

    Uh oh...if I knew that, I would not have signed up for a Half. I just might be the official last finisher, but at least no one will be around to see my nekkid azz. Plus it might be after dusk by then... :laugh:

    - - -
    ETA: This has been interesting thread for me, b/c I have given an old race shirt to Goodwill. I liked it, I liked the cause, but it was just too small for me...now some thiftstore hipster is wearing my old race shirt...or a natural disaster victim...:flowerforyou:
    OP sorry I was not very helpful...

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