12 Apr The end of the race t-shirt? Why we’re bringing in ‘Sleeves not T’s’
Ask most experienced runners to have a rummage through their wardrobes and they’ll probably find a pile of largely unused and unloved race t-shirts.
There are so many races these days that the humble t-shirt has become somewhat humdrum.
Perhaps more importantly, there are serious issues being raised around issues such as sustainability and the environment.
Many of the t-shirts that end up clogging up our drawers are produced in an unsustainable way.
Incredibly, a report from the UK government’s Environmental Audit Committee revealed textile production contributes more to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined.
It is a really important question and one race organisers, including myself, have to consider.
I want to say from the start that’s it’s not necessarily a simple question either. A lot of runners love t-shirts. There’s nothing quite like puffing your chest out when wearing a top that encapsulates the pride you feel about completing that event you didn’t think you’d ever be able to do.
That’s one of the reasons – for now at least – we’ll be continuing to provide t-shirts for finishers of our flagship half-marathon event, The Amazing Northampton Run.
But we have already, and will continue to, explore more environmentally friendly solutions.
For example, our medals for this weekend’s Rose of the Shires were 3D-printed, a far more sustainable way of doing things.
And in a number of recent races, we have swapped in race sleeves instead of t-shirts.
Our ‘Sleeves not T’s’ plan has already taken place at last year’s Thames Trail, January’s Country to Capital Ultra, and for both the Rose of the Shires and its sister race, The Rosebud Marathon.
All of the races at our upcoming Shires & Spires event – from the 10k to the ultra – will see finishers receive sleeves. Not a t-shirt in sight!
I believe these race sleeves offer something that is not only unique but have real practical use and look great as well.
Ultimately, high quality, enduring running kit that will be used – and even recycled – is still needed.
This is a subject we will continue to look at, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy our running sleeves. I can guarantee you won’t want to leave them in the bottom of a drawer.