Custom Shirts

[Mickey&Minnie]

My DH and I recently decided to run our first marathon @ our favorite vacation location, Disney. We are going to sign up for 2012. We are also wanting to make some custom shirts to run in, although we have no real ideas of what we want them to look like. We need some inspiration....
For my new fellow Disney runners, do you have any pics of shirts or even costumes that you have ran in?

 

[JillC LI]

No design suggestions here, but I do recommend you put your names on them in large print. There's nothing like having complete strangers cheer you on by name in a marathon.

 

[Ariel484]

How fun! I'll be there too...also my first marathon!

I know people like to do things like "This seemed like a good idea 3 months ago..." etc. You could also pick out a more inspirational/motivating quote to use. I've always liked this one:

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham

Something like that? Whatever you do, I'd suggest putting it on a tech shirt or something that wicks the moisture off...and maybe in a bright color in case any spectators of yours will be there? That way they can find you more easily.

And I'll echo Jill's suggestion of putting your names on the shirts. It's a great feeling when total strangers are cheering you on!

 

[Texas84]

Your race number will have your name on it.

 

[dreamfinder]

Your race number will have your name on it.

That it does, and some people can read it, but going bigger and brighter never hurts. Remember that you only have so much room on a t-shirt to put any logo/slogans so you need to keep it simple to be legible. Picking a random color will help you stand out, white, black, and purple are very common, with pink and lime green following close behind. Most groups have a color they use, so there is a chance you will get confused for one of them. Purple = TnT, Pink = Breast Cancer groups, Orange & Lime Green used by other Disney boards etc.

Definitely go tech, and preferably something you are used to. I.E. don't try a new brand of shirt for the first time that day. Your upper body will thank you.

But I would go with whatever floats your boat. Disney races bring out alot of people in costumes, some of which hold up much better to running than others. I've seen a guy dressed as a Spartan (thong, helmet, and cape) plenty of fairies and princesses, most of the major Disney characters, assorted farm animals, etc. Not sure what you running style is or what your goals are, but some people can do a 4 hr marathon in a ball gown, others not so much. If you are out there to have fun, go crazy. Choose something that is comfortable, and lets you go to the port a potty easily as you won't see a real bathroom for 6-10 hrs most likely.

 

[lukacseven]

I've seen a guy dressed as a Spartan (thong, helmet, and cape) plenty of fairies and princesses, most of the major Disney characters, assorted farm animals, etc. Not sure what you running style is or what your goals are, but some people can do a 4 hr marathon in a ball gown, others not so much. If you are out there to have fun, go crazy. Choose something that is comfortable, and lets you go to the port a potty easily as you won't see a real bathroom for 6-10 hrs most likely.

I've seen the Spartan - we call him Leonidas. He's done the Goofy Challenge each of the past 3 years (yes, in 2010, when it was 30 degrees). One of my other favorties was the guy who not only ran in the Mr. Incredible costume with foam muscles, but drove to the race in a red smart car with the Incredibles logo on the door. After doing the marathon weekend events for several years, we've come to notice alot of the regulars, like Leonidas, and look for them. There's always an Asian couple who runs in costume - the man as a female Disney character and the woman as a male character. They are both elite runners and the man runs with a video camera.

Good call on the port-a-potty compatibility. I saw a guy last year at the 5k with a really cool Buzz Lightyear costume, except, the plastic wings made it difficult for him to fit. It was funny watching him shimmy in sideways and try to close the door.

Check out some of the past videos on youtube to see some of the costumes.

 

[Mickey&Minnie]

We are definitely doing tech shirts, although I prefer sleeveless, I can't predict the weather and am afraid of freezing. I don't want to pick a girlie color, because I know my husband will feel uncomfortable. He has agreed to run/walk with me but in the event of us separating I want to pick a color that is easy to spot. I realize that we have a few months before the race but I appreciate all of the ideas to get me started.

 

[lukacseven]

It's a little late, but there's a company outside Reading, PA called "RUseeN" that will make custom scotchlite reflective graphics on neon tech shirts (along with other clothing/accessories. I just got shirts from them for the relay and the quality is fantastic - the shirts are nice and the graphics turned out awesome. Look them up online - ask for Jill if you're interested. You may have to pay extra for faster shipping, but they can produce the shirts rather qickly.