Have you heard of the Bay to Breakers 12k race in San Francisco? It’s legendary. And while I’ve never run it, I’ve heard a lot of crazy stories about ridiculous costumes (or lack thereof!!) and race day antics!
This year the race is sponsored by Zappos and we’re talking about gearing up for your next race and dressing in a way that gets you spotted by your cheering section while still being comfortable and speedy!
Option 1: Dress CRAZY and forget comfort.
If your main goal is to be spotted by your mom, the local news, that hottie running beside you consider a fun costume. The more original and unique the better!
Pros: You will get a lot of attention. People will cheer for you, “GOOOOO GIRAFFE GOOOOO!!!!!”
Cons: It might be a little uncomfortable to run in a fuzzy wig or gorilla costume… but you must sacrifice for your craft!
I ran in wings and a skirt for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon this weekend and it wasn’t too bad. I guess it all depends on how crazy you want to get with your costume.
Option 2: Wear bright fun colors or something unique.
Consider things like a neon top, a bright hat, flashy socks…
Tip: Don’t wear the race tee you got at the expo. Dozens of people will have that on and you’ll get lost in the sea of race tees.
Weird hat optional, but recommended:
Bonus tip: Tell your cheering section what you are wearing so they can keep an eye out for you!
Option 3: Wear the running gear you’ve trained in and are used to running with. This goes with the #1 rule of racing “don’t try anything new on race day”.
If you’re concerned about comfort, blisters, chafing, being distracted… wearing your ‘go-to gear’ is fine. The most important thing to remember is it’s YOUR RACE and you should do you.
During training for your race you should identify the gear you like, food that works with your body and rituals that help you run your best.
The Zappos Bay to Breakers race is this weekend. Good luck to everyone running!!
Question: If you could have someone make you a comfortable and yet awesome running costume of anything – what would you be?
Do you usually dress COMFY or FLASHY for races??
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Thank you this helped a lot!!!!!!!
I dress comfy yet fabulous 🙂 My outfits have to match! Unfortunately, I think this is why my parents missed me at the last race — they were too busy watching the crazy costumes go by!
When I run in races I try to match and look cute at the same time. I’ll pick out shorts and a shirt, compression socks to match, and I’ll wear some matching earrings and paint my nails. You know, for those pics when I hold my medal up haha.
I try to dress comfy, but still cute and in line with whatever the theme of the race is!
I did Bay to Breakers last year wearing a princess dress and Converse sneakers. It was super fun! Nothing like the energy of my crazy city of San Francisco! 🙂
haha I love your outfit ideas! I seem to always end up in neon!
I definitely dress comfortably. I wouldn’t say no to an incredibly comfortable Hulk running costume. He and I have so much in common…..
I’m boring…so option 3 for me but I’ve a friend who dresses up for most, if not, all of his races.
Comfy! I always think I’ll do something cute and then I have PTSD thinking about that one half marathon where I tried something new and my thighs chafed into oblivion!
I always dress comfy. I cannot stand when my clothes don’t fit right and I’m always tugging at them. I do try to wear an unusual color so that my fans on the sidelines can spot me!
I usually dress comfy but I try to match. I get obsessed with matching my shirt to my sneakers. I’d love to run as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz for some reason. I think just to have my hair in braids and off my face =) oh and so I can have sparkly red kicks =)