Best Race Swag for Your Running Event

Events, especially running events, are popular locales to promote a brand and are perfect opportunities to premiere special promotional swag for participants, volunteers, and viewers. 

The best race swag promotes the event while increasing the brand visibility of race sponsors. 

When it comes to race swag ideas, you’ve got plenty to choose from. Here are a few ideas to make your next racing event a promotional success.

T-shirts: Still the Best Race Swag

The humble t-shirt remains one of the best race swag ideas, simply because it’s so popular. 

No race is complete without a commemorative t-shirt. You can count on race shirts being worn after the event, guaranteeing plenty of chances to spread awareness about the race itself and sponsor brands. 

If you’re adding t-shirts to your list of running swag, choose shirts that are made with running in mind. 

Possibilities include:

• Augusta Sportswear offers the Wicking Short-Sleeve T-shirt, a 100 percent polyester shirt that wicks moisture away from the body. Combine it with its companion piece, the Ladies' V-Neck Wicking T-Shirt, and you can provide both men and women with shirts that match their body type. 

• The 4 oz. Cool Dri® T-Shirt from Hanes is another 100 percent polyester shirt. Made from a rapid-dry interlock fabric the shirt offers a tag-free neck label and contemporary fit.
• The Men's Locker T-Shirt 2.0 by Under Armour is made from ultrasoft 100 percent polyester UA Tech™ fabric and combines the moisture-wicking properties of polyester with anti-odor technology. The Ladies Locker T-Shirt 2.0 provides the same advantages in a shirt style cut for women.

• SPORT-TEK’s Dri-Mesh Short Sleeve T-Shirt uses a double-layer poly-mesh to wick and release perspiration.
• The Sport T-Shirt and Women's Sport T-Shirt from Adidas offer a chance to make your running swag eco-friendly. Made from 100 percent recycled polyester pique, the shorts boast a hydrophilic finish to help sweat evaporate faster. 

Hats, Headbands, and Visors

Headwear, like t-shirts, ranks among the best race swag. 

People can use headwear immediately, making it a practical addition to your swag collection. If you decide to go with trucker hats, pick styles with a mesh back to increase breathability. You’ve also got the option of ranger hats and visors for spectators and volunteers. 

Possibilities include:

• The Major League Trucker Snapback is a nylon mesh back hat with a snapback closure.
• The Canvas Duck Mesh Back Hat is another popular nylon mesh hat, with plenty of room on the front for an embroidered logo.

• The Hyperkewl Plus Non-Terry Lined Ranger Hat by OccuNomix is made with HyperKewl™ fabric that provides up to ten hours of cooling relief.
• The PosiCharge Competitor Headband by SPORT-TEK is made from a breathable fabric that wicks away moisture.
• The Arctic Radwear Headband by Radians Radians can be soaked in water for up to five hours of cooling relief. They are made with Advanced ARCTIC™ Technology that accelerates the evaporative cooling process. Just soak the band in water for 2 – 3 minutes and then wear it for up to 5 hours of cooling relief.
• The PosiCharge RacerMesh Visor by SPORT-TEK shields the eyes from sunlight while wicking away moisture. 

Water Bottles

Water bottles aren’t really an option when it comes to race swag ideas: they’re a necessity. 

Prove your commitment to the environment by providing racers and spectators with reusable bottles in your running swag, so they can stay hydrated without resorting to single-use plastic bottles. 

Options include:

• The Atrium 25 oz Aluminum Bottle, with its single-wall aluminum construction and screw-on rubber-sealed cap with carabiner clip.
• 20 Oz. Custom Plastic Water Bottles, which provide easy squeeze-action for drinkers. 
• The 32 oz Super Sipper with Straw includes 12 and 24-ounce marks so people can track their hydration progress throughout the day.

• The 28 Oz. Accordion Water Bottle collapses down for easy transport. The bottle holds 28 Oz. when fully expanded and 16 Oz. when it collapsed.
• The Hydra Chill Water Bottle w/Cooling Towel is among the beast race swag for runners. The clear Tritan™ bottle has a wide mouth opening and carries a cooling towel in a separate compartment.

Sweatshirts 

Who says running swag attire has to be t-shirts? A customized sweatshirt is a great gift for spring or fall racing events, offering warmth and comfort in cooler weather. 

Any of the following would make much-appreciated additions to your running swag:

• The Golf Ladies' Icon Full-Zip by Puma is a full-zip that wicks away moisture.
• The FitFlex French Terry Hooded Sweatshirt is a 55/40/5 cotton/polyester/spandex sweatshirt with moisture-management properties, a vented hem, and a hood.
• The Men's Reflex Hoody by StormTech Urban athletic design includes performance-inspired H2X-DRY® fabric that wicks moisture away from the skin and helps regulate body temperature. The Women's Reflex Hoody is also available.

Running Swag Extras and Accessories

Some of the best race swag doesn’t fit into any of the above categories. We’re talking about the little extras that make a swag bag interesting — including the swag bag itself. 

Such surprises include:

• Reusable Canvas Tote with Contrasting Handles by BagEdge with plenty of room for logos on the side. 
• Bottles of 8 Oz. Sunscreen Spray with a light coconut scent.

• Clip 'n Go Bag w/ Race Kits which include running swag like corded earbuds, sunscreen packets, lip ointment, and moist towelettes.
• Paper Earbud Winder / Wallet Cards to keep earbuds neat and tangle-free.
• Kedzie White Extension Earbuds that collapse neatly into their built-in container.

The best race swag is immediately useful, fun, and offers the opportunity to build brand recognition for your race and its sponsors. Be inventive, and your running swag will take first place every time!