Race day goodie-bag definitely has goodies

On Saturday, September 19, 2010 I ran the Pleasanton Back-to-School 10K.  This is one of my favorite runs because the course is challenging with its rolling dirt hills and there’s the goodie-bag!  This run is sponsored by the Northern California Food Broker’s Association to benefit the members of the Northern California Association of Sales and Marketing Companies (NCASMC). NCASMC provides scholarships for their members, employees of member companies, and the spouses, children, and grandchildren of those members and employees.

The first time I ran the 10K was in 2005 and I was pretty excited to get a grocery bag full of what I (then) considered healthy products.  The bag included different beverages, juices, protein bars, some candy and coupons.  Who wouldn’t want to run just for this alone?  Did I mention that there are some pretty great raffle prizes too?  In 2005, an iPod nano, grill, gift baskets, and gift certificates were also up for grabs. I say up for grabs, because you had to be present to win and since the majority of runners tend to split after an event, my odds looked good.  Alas, as in 2005, this year my race number or “raffle ticket” was not picked…

This year there seemed to be more people participating in the 5K which is a relatively new course offering and more kids in the children’s mile. I made sure I was on the start line, lest there be no goodie-bag for me!  Goodies bags were only guaranteed for the first 300 finishers.  As I was waiting for the gun, I overheard a boy of about 8 or 9 years old exclaim to his mom, “when are we going to finish? I’m so hungry and I want my bag!”  I didn’t think anything of it…until I saw the goodie-bag!

This year……………………………………….

…………………………..…the goodie-bag was different.

I was shocked to find inside an Eating Right reusable grocery bag:

• 17 candy/candy bars (33% based out of a total 49 products)
• 6 salt seasonings (12% based out of a total 49 products)

No wonder that kid couldn’t wait to get his bag!  I find it comical that a bag with the Eating Right logo could be 33% junk food.  In a time when child obesity is now considered an epidemic we need all organizations encouraging better choices.

I give kudos to the event for giving participants a reusable shopping bag, but the sugar and salt?  I would have loved more fruit and nutritional bars.  I was pretty hungry after my run and the only thing I even considered eating was the Think Thin bar because it is gluten free and high in protein.  Goodie-bag or not, I am a big supporter of local running events, like the Back-to-School run, because they encourage family participation and provide motivation to lead an active lifestyle.  After all, it is better to work towards a goal rather than just work without any goal in sight.