Bring the SkirtChaser 5K to Portland - vote now

I wrote about Skirt Sports and the SkirtChaser 5K a while back, and it’s time to revisit. In a previous article, I used the SkirtChaser Series as an example of how to utilize one of the most enduring elements of a race, the party after.

Some races, large or small, are fairly fine events, but then when it’s over, the participants quickly leave. Good race directors know that the longer you can get your participants to linger afterward in a fun-filled atmosphere, the more rewarding the experience will feel, and the greater word-of-mouth promotion you will have from past participants. If the race isn’t small enough to have immediate results and awards, then people tend to leave too quickly, prompting race directors to think up creative ways to reward your attendance.

Raffle prizes and give-away’s are popular, as well as food and refreshment. Beer is almost always welcome. Several races around town capitalize on this after-party atmosphere and have great reviews year after year.

What’s interesting about the SkirtChaser series is that these races basically evolved from the other direction: the 5K race is simply an excuse to hold a block party. Triathlete Nicole DeBoom won the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin wearing a home-sewn prototype skirt that she designed, and the Skirt Sports apparel company was born. Based in Boulder, Colorado, they developed the SkirtChaser 5K Series to get their product out there to other communities.

You can see the video on their website, but basically there’s an all-women’s start, a “Catch Me” wave, followed by a men’s “SkirtChaser” wave three minutes later. Women who sign up receive a running skirt, and men receive a SkirtChaser t-shirt. There’s also a $500 cash prize for the overall winner, whether male or female. Then, there’s the block party, with a “scandalous” fashion show and live music, and of course, great food and beer. First, second and third place winners will receive prizes, plus there are additional crazy awards, such as the “most likely to make out at the water station” award.

Last year they went to six cities, but nowhere near Portland. This year, however, they’re looking for six additional venues for 2010, and Portland, Oregon is on the list. All you have to do is go to www.skirtchaser5k.com and vote for Portland, Oregon. Vote now, as the deadline is just a couple weeks away, October 15^th. Voters in the cities selected will be entered to win two deluxe entries to the SkirtChaser in their cities.

For more info on Skirt Sports and their products, go to www.skirtsports.com.