Congratulations to Krissy who won last week’s Giveaway of a limited edition 2013 KeyBank Vermont City Marathon InTraining shirt. If you missed the opportunity to order your InTraining shirt when you registered, drop us an email at store@runvermont.org and we’ll take care of you. Act soon, though. We only order 100 shirts and they’re selling fast.
Today two of us from race headquarters are off to Philly this weekend to exhibit at the Philadelphia Marathon EXPO. If you’re in town or running, please stop by and say hi! Between set-up and break-down, we’ll be in the booth for 12 hours each day and we’d love some good company. We’re also seeking recommendations for the best Italian and Indian food in the city.
Today we’re giving away a $25 Key Possibilities card. Yes, folks, that’s 25-good-as-cash dollars! The Key Possibilities card is like a gift card, except it is good anywhere MasterCard is accepted, including, of course, the RunVermont Store and at our merchandise area at the Sport & Fitness EXPO. The gift card will also come in handy for those of you already planning your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping sprees.
To Enter:
Speaking of both race EXPOs and spending money, we changing things up at our EXPO this year to make sure it’s a great experience for our runners and our vendors. Tell us what makes an EXPO worth exploring. What type of vendors and seminars make you happy? And on the other hand, what makes you run screaming from the building? (You can also share your Philly resto recommendations as a comment.)
PLEASE NOTE: In order to claim extra entries for Tweeting or FB’ing the GIVEAWAY, you must follow the rules below. Thank you!
The GIVEAWAY closes at 11:59pm Wednesday, November 21; we’ll announce the winner on Thursday, November 22.
* If you’re a follower of The Run Down, tell us so in an additional comment. (If you’re not a follower, subscribe using the RSS feed on top right of the blog and then leave a comment telling us you did it.)
* Tweet about the giveaway using hashtags #rvt and/or #vcm and leave one additional comment.
That’s right; you have the opportunity to get 4 entries into this giveaway! (If you choose to take advantage of the extra entries be sure to submit an additional comment for each one.)
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{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Run Vermont!
You were my first marathon this past May and Philly will be my second!
The best expo booths I can think of are the ones that have comical runners apparel and also nutrition booth. I left the Vermont Marathon expo with lots of sample goodies that were fantastic.
The only turn off from expos for me is if the crowd is too large.
See you In Philly!
Linda
….and I’m a follower of The Run Down!!:)
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And, I just like to people watch. Runners are usually pretty fit people, hence good to look at! Also I like free samples and good deals. What sends me running, not enough room to move around. Philly Restos, obviously Pat vs. Geno. But maybe that duel should be saved for post marathon.
I’ve run two half marathons at Walt Disney World, and they both had great expos. (Though one was really crowded!) I also love the free samples, browsing the fuel options, and going to hear speakers. I got to hear Jeff Galloway speak at each of the Disney expos, which was pretty cool.
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The best booths have samples, and engaging staff working the booth.
Enjoy the trip.
If you have time take a trip to the Italian Market in South Philly. DiBruno Brothers has amazing cheeses. And definitely go to Bassets at Reading Terminal for ice cream. I thought I’d give you some additional options
I love expos with small vendors that have products that I may have never heard of before. I’ve gotten some of my favorite pieces of gear after seeing them for the first time at expos. Samples are always great, too!
My least favorite expos are those that are overcrowded! I’ve been to some that are were so packed (due to small space, etc) that I couldn’t wait to get out!
Support of small, local vendors. Whether it be for yummy runner snacks or apparel. Also,chair massage stations and free samples! My least favorite are the expos where you can’t glance at a garment without being harassed by the salesperson working there.
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I liked when you had the marathon documentary screening at the expo a few years ago!
I am an RSS follower of the run down.
I love booths with samples and products to try out, along with lots of good running gear with space to try things on. I actually cringe to see chiropractors/medical staff – I don’t want to find out that there’s something wrong with me the day before a race!
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I’ve only been to one (KBVCM) and it was great. Samples were the best part for sure. Only headache was a vendor that couldn’t accept credit cards for payment.
Free Switchback and Ben & Jerry’s would relieve much of the crowd induced anxiety for me.
I love expos that have lots of cool running gear. And samples, especially Ben and Jerrys ice cream… i am turned off when I see bathroom remodeling exhibits at running expos. I am definitely not thinking about home remodeling the day before a marathon.
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Love expos with samples, new and innovative running gear, local running shops, coupons, music, running with your dog gear.
Don’t like cramped spaces, disengaged people working.
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My favorite booths are ones with free samples or good deals on gear. Don’t like huge check out lines.
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Best part is samples and coupons! Would love to be able to support smaller local stores/businesses while in VT. Crowded/cramped spaces are the worst! While I think the seminars are a great idea–I’d avoid any about form/strategy, etc. By that point, I’ve got my game plan and I don’t want any doubts/second thoughts about my training.
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Like so many others have stated, I love freebies given out at expos, seeing cool new gear, and being able to enter raffles for some of that cool new gear. I always appreciate the knowledge gained at course previews given by runners with intimate knowledge of the course. I love to hear professional runners talk about their careers and always like to hear tales of exotic or unique experiences.
Anyplace that has too many people in too small of a space always sends me looking for the nearest exit. Finally, I tend to walk right past any medical practitioners, chiropractors, physical therapists, insurance agents, and financial consultants at running expos.
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Hi runvermont!
You always do a stellar job during the race, would love to see some more person-to-person assistance for runners at the expo (if this is possible…your man power is already spread thin as it is 
)
One of the best things about expos are opportunities to appeal to all runners…so having a section with coaches available to talk to first timers and to experienced runners alike. Or…kind of like a “runners tent” that there is after the marathon but have it be before the marathon as a place to collectively chat. My first marathon was the ing in Hartford, CT, and I would have loved to talk with others runners (at a place other than picking up bibs) about the upcoming race to ease some jitters
Oh, and I am a follower of the run down