Back from the Boston expo...

Damn yellow bag ruined my pants..look at all the peoples butts stained yellow

It was very gimmicky. That's how most of them are. Damn yellow bag ripped really eAsily. Not sure why Spartan race was there since their advertisements are generally condescending to traditional races.

Ecin wrote:

I was completely bombarded by the Spartan Race booth. The guy was nuts. I politely told him I wasn't interested and his response, " are you scared!". Haha, was an interesting exchange after that.

Tell us more.

I was thinking the same thing. In years past I genuinely enjoyed going, but this year I couldn't wait to get out.

I had a very pushy guy trying to touch me with his "massager" that he told me would take away pain. I said no thanks, moved away as quickly as possible.

gimmick wrote:

It was very gimmicky. That's how most of them are. Damn yellow bag ripped really eAsily. Not sure why Spartan race was there since their advertisements are generally condescending to traditional races.

$$$$

I realize it's marketing dollars-but I would LOVE to have the option to pay an extra 10 or 20 bucks and have them mail my number to me so I don't have to fool with the expo. Keep the freakin T-shirt-and the finisher's medal.

For example, I'm running a marathon about 90 minutes north of my home next month. To get my number, I've got to drive up there the day before and either stay in a hotel or drive back down and then back up. It would be much better for me if I could just get up at 4:30 AM, drive up and run the race-which starts at 7:30. Why does every race have to pretend to be a "destination marathon" The race of which I'm talking will be lucky to have 600 entrants.

I noticed the same about nike. I didn't see a single product there.

The main event at Boston's Expo, has always been the crapfest where BAA sells all the Boston Marathon clothing, sweat suits and backpacks that people inhale and then wear around town for the next 3 days. Since there is a qualifying time (for some), this has always made Boston , arguably, the most prized race t-shirt in the world. Of course with all the charity runners it is now pretty meaningless.

The vendors I never quite understood at all these expos are the ones selling rice. I can't remember all the brands but what the hell, it's rice. Then again, there is usually a water sponsor as well.

Played out 20 years ago. wrote:

To get my number, I've got to drive up there the day before and either stay in a hotel or drive back down and then back up.

Or not.

You have the choice to run the race or not. You obviously don't think it's too much of a hassle or you you wouldn't do it.

Finisher wrote:

The main event at Boston's Expo, has always been the crapfest where BAA sells all the Boston Marathon clothing, sweat suits and backpacks that people inhale and then wear around town for the next 3 days. Since there is a qualifying time (for some), this has always made Boston , arguably, the most prized race t-shirt in the world. Of course with all the charity runners it is now pretty meaningless.

The vendors I never quite understood at all these expos are the ones selling rice. I can't remember all the brands but what the hell, it's rice. Then again, there is usually a water sponsor as well.

Very true. I've got the last three years of shirts sitting in my closet still in their bags. I almost feel weird wearing them because of what you mentioned above. Not sure what I'll ever do with them.

Adidas is shoe sponsor for Boston, I would think Nike would not be given a choice spot or big area at expo, so they would not be center of attraction making them look small. Its all about ego, if they can't be biggest they stay home.

Right, the title sponsor at Boston is Adidas. This is the driver for all the emails for the new Adidas racers and commerative gear.

??????????? wrote:

Adidas is shoe sponsor for Boston, I would think Nike would not be given a choice spot or big area at expo, so they would not be center of attraction making them look small. Its all about ego, if they can't be biggest they stay home.

Cash is king baby... it's got nothing to do with ego.

Nike , they do stuff off site , plenty of interaction with the running consumer.

They will also dominate in the race with logos on all the front runners.

Yes adidas is the sponsor , do a shoe count out on the course , nobody wears the product , front , middle or back of the pack. They sell some Boston marathon apparel but thats about it.

Dirty Harry wrote:

??????????? wrote:

Adidas is shoe sponsor for Boston, I would think Nike would not be given a choice spot or big area at expo, so they would not be center of attraction making them look small. Its all about ego, if they can't be biggest they stay home.

Cash is king baby... it's got nothing to do with ego.

Disagree. Ego has plenty to do with decisions the Nike marketers make. I also think Nike believes with NIKETOWN Boston just a block or so away on Newbury Street people will come find them. That's a little naive or presumptuous of them. They don't seem to be too concerned about making their presence known in Boston through marathon weekend events. I see that as their loss.

You have a choice wrote:

Played out 20 years ago. wrote:

To get my number, I've got to drive up there the day before and either stay in a hotel or drive back down and then back up.

Or not.

You have the choice to run the race or not. You obviously don't think it's too much of a hassle or you you wouldn't do it.

Very true. I've chosen not to run races that required me to go to an "expo" to pick up a packet. It's a huge racket and I've chosen not to play the game.

I've run the marathon in my hometown several times, and I have gone to their expo because it's not too much of a hassle with me being local and all. That said, I know they really don't want me as a local. They want out of towners to fill up hotel rooms and restaurants. Maybe that's part of the expo packet pick up thing...actually trying to disuade local runners.

Gorilla Marketing wrote:

Yes adidas is the sponsor , do a shoe count out on the course , nobody wears the product , front , middle or back of the pack. They sell some Boston marathon apparel but thats about it.

Sarcasm?

2012 - 2 of top 5 wearing ADI

2011 - 2 of top 5 wearing ADI, including winner

Not to mention that the WR belongs to Adidas at the moment.

Gorilla Marketing wrote:

They sell some Boston marathon apparel but thats about it.

No, they sell TONS of apparel, and at huge mark ups. Every hobby jogger on earth wants a Boston Marathon jacket and is willing to pay obscene prices for one. If all they got from the sponsorship was apparel sales, it would be more than worth it to them.