Which is Important – Goodie Bag, Medal or Timing? (Part 3)

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If you have any queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)

By Rameshon

Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)

Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)

All along, I used to wonder about why people want goodie bag, a bag that contains a t-shirt, bag and some items from the sponsors, like granola bar etc, in a race. Earlier on, to me, a goodie bag does not make any sense. I run, so long I have a number tag to run, that is all. Later, I found out that some people, just want to show to people that they have a branded t-shirt. They like to hear their friends ask, ” Where you get this ADIDAS or NIKE t-shirt, it looks nice on you. How to get it?” 

In my trainee teacher days, I have seen my course mates, who take part in a running race, because of the t-shirt. I have heard a female coursemate telling, "I have registered in the race because the t-shirt is very nice.” "I am not running in the race at all, actually.”

From then on, that must have made organisers to bring in ‘the finisher t-shirt’. It came about by the race organisers who want to increase sports participation in a person, to complete a race. This guarantees participation in a race. The more people participate, in an activity, the less one is worried about health care. 

In Physiology, it is written that the real truth in life is human beings are made to be outdoor beings, as opposed to indoor. If we are more indoor, we will get into problems, especially to do with health. 

The ‘finisher t-shirt’ does play as motivation for people to come forward to complete the race. The people see some material things which motivate them to run, and in this way, the sponsor gets their money’s worth, by people being attracted by the brand of the t-shirt. This enables the organisers of the race to invite many future potential runners to come forward. 

Hence, it is important to organise in a way such that no runner runs the wrong route. An Organiser should ensure this before organising the race. If one look at Hong Kong Marathon, where there are several races, on the day itself, the 10km half-marathon etc are held, where there is no place for one to go the wrong route. In Berlin Marathon, London Marathon etc, I have not heard people going the wrong route. This going off to the wrong route must stop, as it may dampen a person’s mood to run in the next race. If a race goes wrong, people will not come for future races and this will make people to eventually not train. In the long run, they have to pay a hefty sum to manage their own health care. 

All that I have mentioned above is for people who register in a race as first-timers or a group of runners who continuously for the sake of goodie bags, as they are pleased with the branded t-shirt, which to my thinking is okay.  The next step, they could think is to improve their timing, from 2hr, 10km time, to 1hr 40min and later on to do 1hr 20min. A person I know, who joined our programme, finally did 1hr 04min from 2hr personal best. 

For casual runners, a simple improvement in personal best will be good as many out there can do a 1hr to 1 hr 10min in a race, over time, if they train 3 times per week. Moreover, even if one does not get any medal, an improvement in time will do. If one gets a finisher t-shirt or medal, it is a souvenir for one to keep.

In psychological books, it has been found that many out there run if the goodie bags are good. It is extrinsic motivation, not intrinsic. External awards do attract one to take part in a race and make one run in a race, in the future. 

By and large, nowadays, I have seen people running to get a good time, not just getting the goodie bags. Hence, it is good for the organisers not to let the public down by organising races properly. Else, it is unwise to organise one.

If One is interested to start a running Programme, we offer Group Class and Personal training session. Please go to Flexifitness Website to Find out more.

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By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’  by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).

He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.

Edited by a Flexifitness staff.