25 replies to this topic

[paigebaby]

I have just downloaded the entry form for the Canberra 10km marathon eve run.
I am very annoyed to find that the sizing on the souvenir tshirts for ladies only go up to size 14.
What about the other 80% of the female population who are bigger than that.
Maybe the organisers need to re-think their t-shirts as not all people are that small.

Edited by paigebaby, 21 January 2009 - 09:47 AM.

[catgirl]

Hi PB, not surprising after I read that the organisers dont want to include a HM in the program. A bit elitist I think...I would contact them.

[Jogger]

much as it's good to see a competitor get a hiding (in this case canberra marathon), I should declare that the six foot track marathon only does up to a F14 also. why ? we have never had anyone ask for a F16. If one person asked then we would probably get some. Last year we stepped up to M-XXL as we were asked the year before and previously only did up to M-XL. (we are therefore dropping our order of M-XXL by half).

I would dispute that 80% of females are larger than a F14, or at least not the proportion of them that run races.

Refer our order list for this years six foot tshirts:
M-XS 3
M-S 30
M-M 84
M-L 96
M-XL 65
M-XXL 3
W-8 18
W-10 36
W-12 13
W-14 12

Total 360

Singlets:
M-XS 3
M-S 29
M-M 75
M-L 77
M-XL 24
M-XXL 2
W-8 14
W-10 35
W-12 15
W-14 6

Total 280

Arguably we could get literally 1 or 2 F16's but out of the M-XXL that we got last year, virtually all were donated to RFS staff ie big waste of money.

Maybe you could survey other events and I would be genuinely keen to see what they do. Its only in the last few years that most races have done female sizings at all. Six Foot has been doing so since I have been race director (9 years now).

Humbled,

Kevin,

Edited by JoggerKev, 20 January 2009 - 09:49 PM.

[sunny1]

I used to solve the problem when I was a 16 (or when 14s were just a tad to tight to run in) by buying a men's shirt.

[Paul Every]

Like Kevin, I doubt it is anything to do with discrimination. I'm sure Dave Cundy & co just stock what they know they can sell.

They don't know how many Marathon Eve 10km shirts they are going to sell from year to year so I would think they are better to only stock what they have a proven record of clearing, otherwise they are bearing the cost for the unsold garments.

It is, afterall, a marathon/10km not a clothing shop. They can't stock clothing on the rack, just waiting until it is sold over the next 6/12/18 months like a normal clothing retailer. As soon as April 19 passes, the clothing becomes largely unsellable.

If it were an event like Ironman triathlon, where the organisers have everyone's shirt size well in advance, all 1597 competitors are to receive a shirt and the order is placed with the manufacturer/suppler well in advance, it is fair enough to feel gipped if you've paid for a shirt in your entry cost and your size isn't available.

[Kandingo]

any stats available on the "other 80%" quote ???

[Paul Every]

catgirl, on Jan 20 2009, 09:57 PM, said:

Hi PB, not surprising after I read that the organisers dont want to include a HM in the program. A bit elitist I think...I would contact them.

I really do have to go into bat for Dave and Fran here.

I don't think anything about the whole Canberra Marathon weekend is elitist. Finishers are recognised front to pack in all events.

Organising a marathon, a 50km ultra, a 5km, a 10km and children's races over a weekend sounds extremely inclusive by any measure. To do it in the middle of a major city with all the flaming bureaucratic hoops that RD's must trple pike through is a testament to their love of our sport.

Dave Cundy has worked for decades to stage a superbly organised marathon year in, year out. That is something no other single RD has managed to do in any other capital city in Australia.

Yes, but they don't have a half marathon? If the well run Canberra Half in Autumn (or for that matter the SMH Half, or the SMC races) don't satisfactorally fill a gap on the race calendar, instead if complaining, go to Dave Cundy with a written proposal incorporatng a traffic management plan, council, police and RTA approvals, sponsorship and enough volunteers to make it happen, and I'd wager he would be fairly encouraging and receptive.

If that sounds like a lot of hard work, that's because it is, though it is a lot less work than that which goes into making Canberra Marathon weekend a success.

Rant over. I feel happy now.  

Edited by Paul Every, 21 January 2009 - 12:23 AM.

[Tuttle]

I'd echo the points Paul has made. Fran and Dave are certainly not "discriminatory" or “elitist” (I’m guessing the phrases were used tongue-in-cheek) and it’s partly because the Canberra Marathon weekend's schedule is so inclusive and non-elitist that the weekend is one of the highlights of the running calendar for many of us.  
Cheers,
Chris

Paul Every, on Jan 20 2009, 03:20 PM, said:

I really do have to go into bat for Dave and Fran here.

I don't think anything about the whole Canberra Marathon weekend is elitist. Finishers are recognised front to pack in all events.

Organising a marathon, a 50km ultra, a 5km, a 10km and children's races over a weekend sounds extremely inclusive by any measure. To do it in the middle of a major city with all the flaming bureaucratic hoops that RD's must trple pike through is a testament to their love of our sport.

Dave Cundy has worked for decades to stage a superbly organised marathon year in, year out. That is something no other single RD has managed to do in any other capital city in Australia.

Yes, but they don't have a half marathon? If the well run Canberra Half in Autumn (or for that matter the SMH Half, or the SMC races) don't satisfactorally fill a gap on the race calendar, instead if complaining, go to Dave Cundy with a written proposal incorporatng a traffic management plan, council, police and RTA approvals, sponsorship and enough volunteers to make it happen, and I'd wager he would be fairly encouraging and receptive.

If that sounds like a lot of hard work, that's because it is, though it is a lot less work than that which goes into making Canberra Marathon weekend a success.

Rant over. I feel happy now.  

[loubee]

At Melb Mara last year there were only large sizes left when I went to purchase my singlet. I was lucky enough to find a size 12 amongst many others who were looking for smaller tops.  That said, I would agree with Kevin that the 80% rule doesn't apply in running.
Go with a blokes top   .

[B+]

What Paul said!

Train safe

[paigebaby]

Ok, i might crawl back into my hole now, suitably chastised.  Using the word Discriminatory was a bit harsh, annoying would have been better.  I meant no disrespect to the organisers, i realise they do a wonderful job and its takes a lot of work and organising.
I just said 80% as a figure, no statistics  to back it up.  
Just on a side note, i will never be a size 14 on the top, no matter how much weight i lose. God was very generous to me in the chest and shoulder department so i will always be larger even when i eventually run my first marathon.
Not all runners are built like greyhounds. Especially people starting out on their fitness campaigns in the fun runs, the marathon is not the only event.
Maybe the organisers could have a larger selection of sizes available for early bird entries (this would hopefully give them time for their manufacturers to supply those requested sized.)  People who submit late entries would just have to take what was offered.

[apricots]

Hi Paigebaby...

Would it be any help to get a men's top, big as you like, and have it taken in?  A-Mending Angel in Brisbane Street, Tamworth, is a wonderful place for alterations.   I had her take in a riding jacket that made me look like a fridge, but now it makes me look really slim.  

If you get a singlet sort of top, you could take it up/lift it on the shoulders, and also take in the side seams.  

Running tops apart, women's clothing sizes are all over the place.   In "bottoms", I'm an 8 or a 10, (and occasionally, even the 8 is too big - crazy!)  and in tops a 10 or a 12.... or very occasionally, a 14.   All depends on the brand/make.  

Good luck - sounds like your running has really come along since Tracy told me about you!   Well done.

[Ellie80]

CR gear goes from 8 - 18 for Women and XS - XXL for Men

Just in case anyone was interested

[Jogger]

if you enter six foot, and order a top I guarantee to get it any size you like.

[emjay]

Its even more frustrating, when you order a top, but they run out of the correct size. Sydney Marathon, I ordered a medium finishers t-shirt but all they had left was xs or xl - I now have a very nice yellow tent.  Or worse still - you get the correct size, but it doesnt fit.  My size 14 Hunter Valley t-shirt is currently being worn by my size 8 friend.  

btw all my CR gear fits

[Katz]

emjay, on Jan 22 2009, 04:39 PM, said:

Or worse still - you get the correct size, but it doesnt fit.  My size 14 Hunter Valley t-shirt is currently being worn by my size 8 friend.

Same here with the HV t-shirt....my size 12, which I was then, still doesn't fit the size 8 me.....

[PlodBod]

emjay, on Jan 22 2009, 04:39 PM, said:

My size 14 Hunter Valley t-shirt is currently being worn by my size 8 friend.

Those Hunter Valley t-shirts are notoriously too small - mine looked positively pornographic.  I gave it to T-Five and it fits her perfectly.  And for those who don't know us to compare, I am somewhat bigger in the chestal region (and everywhere else, for that matter) than her

[wombatoutofhell]

PlodBod, on Jan 22 2009, 05:32 PM, said:

Those Hunter Valley t-shirts are notoriously too small - mine looked positively pornographic.  I

So what was the problem?

[Paul Every]

My HV tee fitted fine, but since I couldn't close my t shirt drawer the other day, it and 10 others were consigned to the charity clothing bin. If I'd known so many had missed out on their size at Hunter Valley, I would have offered it around.

If you see a guy in Sydney wearing a HV marathon shirt and selling The Big Issue you'll know where he probably got it.

[StellaBella]

Paul Every, on Jan 23 2009, 09:16 AM, said:

My HV tee fitted fine, but since I couldn't close my t shirt drawer the other day, it and 10 others were consigned to the charity clothing bin. If I'd known so many had missed out on their size at Hunter Valley, I would have offered it around.

If you see a guy in Sydney wearing a HV marathon shirt and selling The Big Issue you'll know where he probably got it.

What you didnt make yourself a t-shirt quilt?!

I dont think the HV issue was ppl missing out on their size... it was them getting the size they asked for only to find that they were about 3 sizes smaller than the number stated on the tag!

[Diane]

StellaBella, on Jan 23 2009, 11:47 AM, said:

What you didnt make yourself a t-shirt quilt?!

If he did, I would send it to you just for that suggestion!

Edited by Diane, 23 January 2009 - 10:59 AM.

[seris]

I found the HV size 10 shirt the only honest size 10 marathon shirt I've got. All my other finishers shirts are far too big, no shape and end up as nighties or shirts for gardening or painting in.

[StellaBella]

seris, on Jan 23 2009, 12:06 PM, said:

I found the HV size 10 shirt the only honest size 10 marathon shirt I've got. All my other finishers shirts are far too big, no shape and end up as nighties or shirts for gardening or painting in.

For the record I didn't do HV - just regurgitating what others have said.

My Blackmores Singlet makes a lovely nightie... biggest size 10 I ever did see!

[paigebaby]

my blackmores singlet is incredibly small for a 16 (i asked for an 18).
Something to work towards getting into, but still nice to have.

[TFive]

PlodBod, on Jan 22 2009, 05:32 PM, said:

I am somewhat bigger in the chestal region

Show off  

[Paul Every]

PlodBod, on Jan 22 2009, 05:32 PM, said:

Those Hunter Valley t-shirts are notoriously too small - mine looked positively pornographic.  I gave it to T-Five and it fits her perfectly.  And for those who don't know us to compare, I am somewhat bigger in the chestal region (and everywhere else, for that matter) than her

TFive, on Jan 23 2009, 09:49 PM, said:

Show off  

No, TFive. Showing off would have been Ploddles wearing the shirt herself.