Platinum Sombrero Virtual 5K

This will be where you can find all the information needed for the Platinum Sombrero 5K, my first ever virtual event to host.  This is a virtual 5K with proceeds being donated to St. Jude in Memphis, TN. The event can be done at any venue that you wish. You can run/jog/walk/crawl/skip the distance. Complete the 5K on a treadmill at your gym, run your favorite route in town, or stroll in neighborhood for the distance. No proof is required for this event, but it would be great to see pictures and times from participants. All race participants will be emailed a race bib and will be mailed a 3″ diecast finisher’s medal. I will provide a breakdown of costs versus donation once I know the definite price of the medals and postage.   You can run the race any day during the week of July 7 – July 13, 2013.

Why platinum sombrero you may ask?  Simple, in baseball, a platinum sombrero is the name associated with striking out 5 times in one game, and since a strikeout is listed as K in baseball, I felt it was a natural correlation for this race.  A platinum sombrero has occurred 61 times in MLB history.

The following is a sneak peek at the rough draft for the medal:

Platinum Sombrero 5K

And the following is what the medal looks like in reality:

Finalized race medal

Register at:

http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=2093376

And we have our first corporate sponsor!  I am very pleased to announce that RoadID has signed on as the first, of hopefully many corporate sponsors of the Platinum Sombrero 5K!  This means that every race participant will get a coupon from RoadID in addition to the medals and bibs.  And 7, yes 7, lucky participants will get an additional $15 gift card to use on RoadID products!  I personally wear a RoadID bracelet at all times for safety reasons.  It is comfortable, stylish, and potentially life saving, and every runner should use one, especially those of use with medical issues.  Like them on Facebook!

Sponsor #1

And we now have our second sponsor, with a great chance of securing our third  this afternoon.  The generous folks over at Sweaty Bands have agreed to donate a Sweaty to be awarded to a lucky race participant!  I personally have never used the product due to my lack of hair and prescience of masculinity, but most of the ladies in my running group at the gym did use this brand.  And with summer rapidly approaching, this will be a must have item for all you lady runners out there.  go like them out on Facebook and their testimonials here.

Sponsor #2

B.I.C. Bands! is a hair band company that specializes in hair bands that will not slip.  They have a wide variety of bands, and they are currently working on one to honor those hurt or murdered in Boston on Monday, with 100% of the proceeds going to a Boston charity for the victims.  Also, each month, B.I.C. Bands donate money from the sales of their products to a different charity.  B.I.C. even stands for Because I Can!  Check out more on their FAQ page and like them on Facebook!

Sponsor #3

The fourth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K is Running on the Wall, a company that specializes in the construction of unique medal and bib displays.  I am familiar with their products because Susan actually purchased me a display from them after I completed my first half marathon back in 2010, and we both were very impressed with their work.  Their products of very reasonably priced, especially when compared to the medal displays that races try to sell, and they have more character in my opinion as well.  They have any type of design that you can imagine, and the displays are ultra customizable.  If you like them on Facebook, they have numerous giveaways and you can stay up to date on new designs.

The fifth sponsor is Bulu Box, which is a company that sends you an assortment of vitamins, supplements, and health products monthly so you can try these products at a low cost to see if they will work for you.  Each month, the products change, and there are several different subscription options.  They also reward you for reviewing products that you sample with a points system that can be redeemed on their site.  Bulu Box has agreed to give each race participant one free box or $10 off a subscription.  I will email out the promo code once registration has closed, and flyer will give you a step by step account of how to redeem the code.  Go like them on Facebook.

Sponsor #5

KT Tape is the sixth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K.  The Memphis Tigers have been using KT Tape for years now and I have been very curious about it, so I am thrilled to get a sample to try.  KT Tape will be providing a product sample to the first 50 people to register for the race.  For those of you who don’t know what KT Tape is, it simply is an alternative to bulky braces, wraps, and pain meds.  It is “…an alternative that’s used clinically, athlete tested, and used by millions of people world-wide. It’s called KT Tape. KT Tape is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and used to treat and prevent hundreds of common injuries such as knee pain, shin splints, and tennis elbow.”  You can find more info by liking them on Facebook.

Sponsor #6

The seventh sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K will be the Flip Belt.  The Flip Belt is an unique running belt designed to carry your id, phones, keys, gels, and whatever else you may need out on a run.  There are numerous color options to chose from and there are sizing options that will fit the vast majority of runners.  Due to the runner specific options for the Flip Belt, this giveaway will work a little different than the other ones.  The winner of the Flip Belt will be notified via email and an email will be sent to the flip Belt as well.  The winner will have a store credit in the amount of one Flip Belt.  The winner will simply coordinate with the Flip Belt directly and then will be shipped the product straight from the manufacturer’s distribution facility.  You can go like the Flip Belt on Facebook here.

Sponsor #7 (taken from Facebook)

The eighth sponsor is SPIBelt (Small Personal Item Belt), which is exactly what the name states, a belt to use while being active to hold your phone, keys, and such.  The belts come in a variety of styles.  I have never personally used one of these belts, but judging by the photos on their site, you can store several items in one of these belts.  You can like the company on Facebook here.  One lucky Platinum Sombrero 5K participant will be getting one of their belts for free!

Sponsor #8

The ninth race sponsor is FuelBelt!  FuelBelt has agreed to give all race participants a 15% discount on all products on their site (excluding Gatorade products) and after looking at their site, that will be 15% well used.  Promo code will be a part of all virtual goodie bags for participants.  There is a large assortment of hydration and racing products.  I am certain that you will be able to satisfy any hydration need with their products.  They even have themed products for the Ironman and Rock ‘N Roll race series.  You can like them on Facebook here.

Sponsor #9

The tenth sponsor  is Lock Laces.  I am not sure if anyone else has issues keeping their shoes tied while running, but this is a  huge problem for me.  I just recently discovered this product, and I have not yet used a pair of Lock Laces, but I will be ordering some this week.  Basically, these are elastic laces with a locking system that is guaranteed not to come undone.  You strap your shoes on and run without the worry or hassle of constantly tying your shoes.  Lock Laces donated 10 pairs of laces to be donated to lucky participants of the Platinum Sombrero 5K, as well as offering a free shipping code, KYLEJUDE.  This code is active today, and will expire on August 13, 2013.  All purchases using the promo code KYLEJUDE will result in 20% of the sale being donated directly to St. Jude.  You can like Lock Laces on Facebook here.

Sponsor #10

The eleventh sponsor is Sprigsville.  Sprigsville is the home of Sprigs, Banjees-wrist wallets, Earbags and more innovative, functional apparel and accessories (taken directly from their Facebook page, like it here).  The company has graciously donated 50 (yes 50!) of their Banjees-wrist wallets in an assortment of colors!  Banjees are great for running because you can store a variety of items, from cash, I.D.’s, and car keys all the way up to you iPod or cell phone!  They are also offering a 15% discount when using the promo code Platinumsombrero15 from June 15, 2013 through July 15, 2013, that can be used on the several other products on their site, like no tie bandanas, visors, yoga pants, and Earbags, to name a few.

Sponsor #11

The twelfth sponsor is Balega, a sock company with its roots in South Africa and a dedication to its patrons.  They offer a wide variety of sock styles, and finding the perfect sock for your needs is quite simple.  You can determine the appropriate sock for yourself by color, thickness, height, and sock family.  I have recently been exploring new running socks, and I cannot wait to buy a pair these and take them out for a run.  Balega will be offering up some socks to be raffled off the race participants.  You can like Balega on Facebook here.

Sponsor #12

The thirteenth sponsor is Pro Compression, a company specializing in compression socks and sleeves for runners and golfers.  Compression socks are all the rage in the running community right now, and I am certain that you have seen an article someone singing the praises of these items. Pro Compression has agreed to donate one pair of marathon socks or sleeves to a lucky race participant.  If you have tried to win a pair of these in a raffle before, you have probably noticed that you odds of winning the raffle was something like one in five hundred.  With this raffle, your odds are going to be at worst, one in fifty!  You can go to Facebook and like Pro Compression here.

Sponsor #13

The fourteenth company to sign on to donate some product for the Platinum Sombrero 5K is EnergyBits.  EnergyBits is a company that specializes in healthy lifestyles one natural bit at a time.  You can find bits for energy, vitality, recovery, and weight loss to name a few.  The energy specific bits are made from 100% organically grown spirulina algae and contains over 40 nutrients.  I am just becoming aware of this product and I will be trying them out soon and I will write up a full product review for your reading pleasure.  You can like EnergyBits on Facebook here.

Sponsor #14

The fifteenth sponsor of the Platinum Sombrero Virtual 5K is SLS3, a company that specializes in compression wear.  Their tagline is “Intelligent Race Apparel.”  SLS3 has donated two pairs of compression socks, one is size S/M and one is L/XL.  The website has a myriad of products, from compression socks and quad sleeves to full race day attire.  You can like SLS3 on Facebook here.

Sponsor #15

The sixteenth race sponsor is Nathan Performance Gear.  The company specializes in a variety of running items, including hydration items, safety items, and even Lock Laces.  They have agreed to donated one Quick Draw Plus water bottle that will be raffled off to one lucky race participant.  The Quick Draw Plus is a handheld water bottle with a pouch to keep various race items.  You can find and like them on Facebook here.

Sponsor #16

Trigger Point Performance Therapy has agreed to be the seventeenth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K!  Trigger Point provides equipment and guidance to aid athletes in all walks of life stay in peak condition by focusing on muscle recovery.  Their website has a wide variety of items to aid in the recovery process, and Trigger Point has agreed to donate one of these items, the Grid Foam Roller to be exact, to be raffled off to one lucky race participant!  I have just began exploring the use of a foam roller, but several runners that I had spoken with swear by them.  You can like Trigger Point on Facebook here.

Sponsor #17

Today’s Miles has agreed to be the eighteenth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K!  Today’s Miles is a company that produces running shirts in a wide variety of colors.  You can customize your shirt with over 20 distances and can chose a short sleeve or long sleeve shirt.  $2.00 of every shirt that they sell is donated to Smile Train, so that is an added bonus to purchasing from this company.  Today’s Miles will be donating five shirts to be raffled to race participants.  If you win, I’ll get your size, distance, and color preferences and send you the shirt with you medal.  You can like Today’s Miles on Facebook here.

Sponsor #18

Ion Designs has agreed to be the nineteenth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K.  Ion Designs is a company that produces reflective, iron on transfers.  There are several different symbols to choose from and the company has agreed to donate a sample iron on for each race participant, so look for one in the package you get in the mail in late June. Hopefully these IONs will help keep you safe for your miles.  You can like Ion Designs on Facebook here.

Sponsor #19

The twentieth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K is Cyclone Cup.  Cyclone Cup is a shaker for all of your protein, meal replacement, and pre-workout supplements.  The design of the bottle is the key to that helps blast through the toughest of ingredients and leads Cyclone Cup boasting that it is the best shaker on the market.  From the reviews that I have read, both on their site and fellow bloggers, seems to concur with the greatness of the Cyclone Cup.  There will be two Cyclone Cups being raffled off to two lucky race participants.  You can like Cyclone Cup on Facebook here.

Sponsor #20

The twenty-first sponsor of the Platinum Sombrero 5K is Headsweats, a company that specializes in headwear for running.  You can find hats, visors, beanies, and wraps for your head.  Headsweats have headwear available for nearly every major college and university in the US, as well as Ironman and Tour de France options.  Headsweats will be donating two hats for raffle as well as providing a 25% promo code (RUNLARGE25) for all full priced items on their site.  You can like them on Facebook here.

Sponsor #21

The twenty-second sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K is Hydrapak.  Hydrapak is a company focused on hydration and innovation.  They are know for their wearable hydration packs and their shape-shift reservoirs.  They also have some traditional water bottles on their site.  Hydrapak will be giving all Platinum Sombrero participants a 20% discount on hydration items on their site from now until 6/30.  You can like Hydrapak on Facebook here.

Sponsor #22

The twenty-third sponsor is Polar Bottle.  Polar Bottle produces BPA free, plastic water bottles in a wide variety of colors and styles.  The vast majority of the bottles are vacuum insulated, which helps keep you water cold for a significantly longer period of time than traditional water bottles.  The bottles come in 24, 20, or 12 ounce varieties and you can even customize a bottle with you favorite running (or any activity) photo that you want.  You can like Polar Bottle on Facebook here.

Sponsor#23

The twenty-fourth sponsor of the race is actually the third compression apparel company to agree to sign on, Zensah.  Zensah offers a wide variety of compression apparel, and boast to have “the world’s most advanced compression apparel.”  Zensah will be donating two pairs of minimalist socks that will be raffled off to two luck race participants.  You can like Zensah on Facebook here.

Sponsor #24

The twenty-fifth (yes, twenty-fifth!) sponsor of the Platinum Sombrero 5K is Zola Acai, a company that specializes in healthy fruit juice drinks.  The company started with Acai juice and from there they started to incorporate pomegranate and blueberry into the juice.  Zola also added coconut water to the roster of healthy juices and strive to find the freshest and tastiest fruit juices in the world.  Zola Acai has agreed to donate two cases of their product to be dispersed to race participants.  You can like Zola Acai on Facebook here.

Sponsor #25

Armpocket signed on as the twenty-sixth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K.  Armpocket is an arm band that is used while running that, depending on the model you chose, can hold your phone, ID, gels, MP3 player, inhaler, keys, or anything else you may need for a run within reason.  I purchased the I-30 model for myself last summer after being diagnosed for asthma and needed a comfortable way to carry my inhaler.  You can read more about this here.  Armpocket has agreed to donate four of their bands to be raffled off to race participants.  You can like Armpocket on Facebook here.

Sponsor #26

The twenty-seventh sponsor of the Platinum Sombrero 5K is dedicated to running safely in the dark.  Glimmer Gear provides LED sports apparel to help you be seen.  They have an assortment of arm sleeves and cycling jerseys to chose from, along with the option to customize your apparel with your team and/or event name and logo.  Glimmer Gear has agreed to give race participants and blog reads a 25% discount on merchandise when they use the promo code PLATINUM25.  You can like Glimmer Gear on Facebook here.

Sponsor #27

Run Guard will be the twenty-eighth sponsor for the Platinum Sombrero 5K.  Run Guard produces anti-chafe products in both regular and sensitive skin.  I discovered the brand via a #RunChat a few weeks ago.  Anyone that runs, especially those of us with a few extra pounds and/or in warmer climates know the importance of battling chafing.  Run Guard will be donating some product samples to be donated to race participants.  You can like Run Guard on Facebook here.

Sponsor #28

Climb On! has signed on as the twenty-ninth race sponsor!  Climb On! is a line of innovative skin care products that are very helpful for anyone running outdoors regardless of the conditions.  Climb On! will be donating an assortment of 100 product samples to be shared with race participants.  All products are made with 100% pure, food-grade ingredients, and each ingredient is chosen by its skin aiding properties.  You can like them on Facebook here.

Race Sponsor #29

MLB teams contributing items thus far for giveaways/goodie bags are the Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays.

And for people that cannot run in this event, you can always make a donation to St. Jude on my personal fundraising page here.

Come back daily!  More info coming soon!! You can also check us out on Facebook!