This week on Tuesdays on the Run it’s all about the stuff we find at race expos. Have you found some really cute things? Scored some deals? Run into running/blog friends? Tell us!
If the expo is large enough, inevitably I’ll find a thing or 6 to buy. I usually buy an “official” race shirt in addition to the one that’s included. If there’s a race pint glass, I’ll grab that too.
Once in awhile I’ll buy things and race in them the next day. I bought arm sleeves at my second Boston and ended up wearing them because I was so conflicted on the temperature, wind, you name it. It actually turned out to be a great option as the weather along the Boston course can be very changeable.
I won an awesome Marine Corps Marathon ornament by answering trivia questions at an expo once. How cool is that?
At races that are more special to me, I’ll seek out the jeweler if there is one and get a charm.
I’ve entertained a marathon charm bracelet but so far haven’t done it.
How about you? What have you scored at an expo? Do you have any collections going?
Oh I love those charms. My mom won an ipod nano at a Disney expo once!
I’m the same way when it comes to race expos – gotta have the official shirt, and if the race is special to me I’ve got to have some extras to remember the moment too! I went totally nuts at my first half (the Disney Princess Half) and have no regrets!
I love the race charm bracelet idea! That would be a fun way to get me to spend more time in the expos: picking the perfect reminder of the race for my bracelet. Cute idea!
I’m all about the cool race shirts. I usually overspend and buy more than I need.
Love that MCM ornament, how cool!
I don’t often pick up things at expos, but I like the idea of staritng a charm collection.
Probably the best thing I get at expos is running celebrities to sign my visor!
Second is my sunglasses: I bought them at my first & second Vegas and I’m still wearing them! I really need new sunglasses but the races I’ve done lately are so small there’s no expo or there were no sunglasses. 🙁
I bought an I Did It shirt for my first half, but haven’t for the others. I usually go with the race shirt, but for my first half, I wanted something special. My mom also bought me a 13.1 charm.
I have been know to go to an expo or two even if I am not running the race. That’s how much I love expos! I love the excitement in the air and the stuff. Always the stuff!
I love the ornament idea – and those charms are awesome 🙂 I bought a shoe charm at the Disney Princess a couple years ago, but really REALLY wish I would have bought the jacket I was eyeing! I did buy a jacket at Monumental last year because I had already decided I was going to PR the next day … and it worked! PR’d by almost 5 minutes and had the jacket to celebrate in!
Kristin and I cleaned up in Carlsbad this weekend. I won her a travel power bank from a travel app company, I got a deal on a super cute sports bra/tank, we got tons of samples including amazing sunscreen and then we got Big Slice, Mama Chia bars, Vega and ProBars at the #WeRunSocial blogger meet up! And I won a Halo Visor. Needed an extra bag 🙂
I like the idea of the charms. But I have this “thing” where I’d want one from every half (or whatever) and some races are so small there is no expo, much less a charm. That would bother me. How cool you won a Christmas ornament! I do collect those…and coffee mugs.
What a great idea to get a charm from the race!
I have to admit I’ve never looked at the jewelry booths at an expo but I may check them out now! I usually just go look at the shirts or jackets. My fave expo purchase is a jacket from the NYC Marathon expo. I wear it almost everyday!
I love the charms and running jewelry. Last year at Grandma’s I won a skirt, and it’s become my fav!!
I’ve only ever bought two things from race expos – a water bottle and a spibelt. Our race expose aren’t terribly big or exciting. I love the idea of buying a relevant charm. Your big apple is so cute!
I love expo shopping! I was so excited when I bought my first 13.1 magnet for the back of my car! I was finally in the club! 🙂
The expos here are much more basic. No great finds. Yet.
I love the expo experience, but have yet to score a real “deal.” I like the jewelry thing, though. I do have some event patches that I’ve bought, but have not sewed them onto anything yet. I like magnets, because they’re removable…but they’re also “steal-able” as well. I have some event stickers…but don’t want to adhere them to my car because I know I will not be driving my current car for as long as I plan to continue running (and I don’t want to give up those keepsakes to the next owner). I have thought about making my stickers into magnets…but again, don’t want them stolen LOL #runnerprobsofthefirstworld I like my running shirts fitted, and most event shirts aren’t as “fitted” as I’d prefer (even in a women’s cut)…so I seldom ever buy additional event clothing #pickypicky
I found the best lip balm at an expo in NOLA I picked it up free an it turned out to be something I’d pay money for. Who would have ever thought? I also have a got milk? Hand towel I keep in my gym bag that’s really come in handy. Of course what I wrote about my Oofos flip flop recovery shoes. Love them!! Thanks Marcia for the link up!
Oh I love those charms! I got a great deal on a Brooks jacket once, but otherwise I usually don’t do much expo shopping.
I love the idea of an ornament for big races. 🙂
i love the ornament! I am so glad races are getting into the ornament game-I love having fun and unique ornaments on my tree
I don’t know that I’ve ever gotten something super unique at an expo. I do like to collect magnets at the marathons that I race though.