
Goody Bags
You've trained really hard. You've got up early and run in wind, rain and shine. You've eaten well and are in tip-top racing shape. You've planned the entire day in minute detail so that it runs like clockwork and you're completely ready for the big half marathon. The one they had to close all the roads for and that cost a small fotune to enter.
During the race you give it your all, running to your absolute limit with a lactic-inducing, eyeballs-out finish. You exit the finish funnel covered in sweat and tears and completely drained and somebody hands you a goody bag.
Reward time! What could be inside?
1. A banana
Hmm, a banana. Well, it's important to re-fuel I suppose...
2. A Kit-Kat
That's better. But, hold on, it's melted a bit and... actually I feel a bit sick now.
3. A bottle of water
OK... I get that it's important to rehydrate, but it's not as though water is a scarcity. Make an effort, guys.
4. A brightly-colured wristband
Terrific. I'll wear that next time I'm in a race with a bunch of five year olds! Ooh, it lights up... nope, still stupid.
5. Flyer for a 10k taking place tomorrow 400 miles away from here
And another 42 flyers.
6. A diamond-shaped plastic fob with the name of a Life Insurance company embossed
What? What even is this?
7. Some safety pins
Hang on, before the race these were rarer than some of the elements created in the Large Hadron Collider.
8. A discarded banana skin
Oops, that's mine.
9. Ads, ads and more ads
Brilliant! Just what I wanted. Ads. If you've got so many people advertising then how come I had to pay a week's salary to enter this race? And you've got all those volunteers. What are you paying them? Nothing, that's what. This race is a con!
10. Entry Form for next year's race
Oh, go on then.
There may also have been a t-shirt*
* but it's not even technical, so it doesn't count