Tips & Tricks | Estimated Read time – 5:32
Whether you’re selling merchandise or giving it to participants for free, your swag is a chance to set your endurance event apart from the rest.
The key to good swag is to make it unique, useful, and high-quality so you can deliver the best event experience possible. When you offer great swag, your participants will look back at your event fondly every time they use it.
Our insights tell us now is the time to sell!
In 2023, participants are spending more on event products than they have been over the past 7 years.
In fact, the average participant product spend is ~9% higher than pre-pandemic years and trending upwards. This tells us that product purchases are making a strong comeback, and now is a great time to add new and exciting products to your offering!
Of course, you also want to make sure your swag is budget friendly—both for you and for your event participants.
To help, we’ve come up with five of the best race swag ideas that you can use for your next endurance event.
1. Event T-shirts & Medals
Let’s start with the basics. Event t-shirts and medals are always safe options as swag items for your upcoming endurance event.
T-shirts are great for promoting your event, are an economic option for event organizers, and can be customized to support a specific cause or organization.
But there are ways you can level up your event t-shirt to make it an even more meaningful piece of swag.
We understand it is important to consider the material, quality, and fit of the t-shirt. You want to offer your participants a t-shirt you’d be proud and comfortable wearing yourself. Spending extra is worth it if participants will keep your t-shirt and wear it year-round.
If you’re able to pay a bit more, think about offering an event jacket, pullover sweater, or hoodie. These branded items are more likely to sell and be worn after your event.
Elevate your offering with ASICS branded apparel
If you are interested in using ASICS branded apparel for your event, please contact merchandise@raceroster.com.
Why offer ASICS Apparel?
- Major running brand logo elevates the price participants are willing to pay
- New options to upsell in registration
- Quality tri-blend event shirt that is great for both fitness and everyday
- Space to brand with your event logo
t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, and more!
Commemorative medals, on the other hand, are a motivator for participants in an endurance event. A medal marks an accomplishment that every person who earns one is proud of. Many runners take part in endurance events just to get the medal.
That means your participants are likely to keep their medals for a long time, and there’s a good chance they’ll return for your next event to try to earn another one.
If you need a little bit of inspiration, use our list of popular motivational medals and medal alternatives to help you find the perfect award for the participants attending your next endurance event.
When it comes to both t-shirts and medals, we recommend you offer your participants sustainable options and consider giving them an opt-out option if they wish to reduce their material footprint.
Include a mandatory opt-in question at registration to get an accurate idea of how many t-shirts and medals you’ll need for an event. You can also offer digital medal options that are shareable, fully customizable, and perfect for virtual events.
2. Reusable Tumbler or Water Bottle
Whether you’re a participant or volunteer, a reliable water bottle is event swag everyone can appreciate.
The best part about a tumbler or reusable water bottle as race swag is its versatility: it can keep participants hydrated before, during, and after your event, and it can be used once the event is over.
That reusability is important. More people than ever are thinking about how they can do their part for the environment. So, when event organizers choose eco-friendly products over plastic water bottles or paper cups, event participants recognize and appreciate their effort to significantly reduce the environmental impact.
What’s more, there are plenty of great options for tumblers and reusable water bottles out there that can be adapted to your event’s budget and theme.
3. Reusable Cloth Tote Bags
Sticking with the theme of sustainability, reusable cloth tote bags are an excellent swag option for your next event.
Going with reusable cloth bags as event swag is a win-win-win. First off, they’re eco-friendly. When people choose sustainable bags over plastic, we all win. Second, high-quality cloth bags are useful to your event participants, incredibly versatile and typically durable. Finally, there’s a great chance your participant will use it for months after your event—meaning it’s a long-term marketing piece for your event.
What’s more, reusable bags are a budget-friendly and customizable option that come in a variety of sizes and colors that don’t require you to break the bank.
You can also take advantage of the versatility of reusable cloth bags to enhance your event experience. For example, use your reusable bags as goodie bags filled with coupons or other swag items, or repurpose them for event bag drop-off. Get creative and make the most of these great swag items!
4. Waist Bags
Waist bags are back with a vengeance (we’d argue they never really left) and we love the convenience they give athletes during an endurance event. Whatever you call them—belt bag, waist bag—these little packs make perfect swag items.
Waist bags are helpful for your participants who need to store their phone, keys, and wallet while still having them all within easy reach during your event. Even your participants who prefer to not wear a pack during your event, will likely find good use for these bags at some point after your event.
If you like the idea of offering waist bags as race swag, you could even turn it up a notch and transform them into event goodie bags for your participants.
5. Athletic Hats
Hats are an ideal swag match for your next endurance event.
When a hat looks good and fits well, almost everyone will wear it. More importantly, the right hat can make all the difference for a participant or volunteer who’s taking part in your event.
A high-quality athletic hat provides effective protection from the sun, is breathable so the wearer’s head stays cool, and absorbs moisture like sweat and rain to help keep their head dry.
That’s why, if you’re thinking of hats as a swag item, you should consider investing in a good product. Offering well-made hats for your participants might take a little bit more out of your budget than a cheaper option but the benefits are worth it.
Bonus Idea: Use Race Roster to get your swag to participants
Whether you’re selling your event swag or giving it to registrants for free, Race Roster can help you distribute your merchandise.
The Race Roster participant store gives your event’s participants multiple opportunities to get their hands on your merchandise and gives you more chances to increase your revenue.
Event swag is like your own permanent billboard in your participants’ homes. When done right, it’s an excellent way to keep your event top of mind and build connection with your brand. So, spend the time and money to find the perfect race swag for your next endurance event. Offer merchandise that’s better for the environment, good for your participants and good for your brand. It’s a worthwhile investment for your event.
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