Runners talk splits. They talk shoe types. They talk energy gels. And runners buzz about the Twin Cities Marathon finisher shirt, a visible badge of honor from a hard day's run.
The shirt has morphed through different colors, styles and designs in 34 years. There were the cotton days until 2005, before the polyester-blend era began. Long sleeves and short sleeves toggled some before long sleeves won out, beginning in 2003. And shirt color? Predominantly white or gray in the early years, but now given over largely to black, blue and white.
There is a lot to think about before the finisher shirts are handed out, said Breanne Hegg, marketing and media director for Twin Cities in Motion, which runs the marathon. "Designers definitely put a lot of thought into a shirt that someone would be proud to wear, something that would be eye-catching."
Hegg receives prototypes from Kick, a Minneapolis marketing and design agency.
Stefan Hartung, Kick's co-founder and creative director, said there are practical things to consider, such as where to put sponsor names, but it isn't limiting to the overall vision for a shirt. "We try to be creative around any aspect of running, around the marathon, around achievement and accomplishment, and then community," he said.
Hartung said the agency takes into account past finisher shirts and posters. Kick looks broader, too, checking out what others have done for, say, the Olympics and other international events.
"(Runners) falling in love with a piece of clothing — that is really our goal," he said.
A glance at the process:
Words: Hegg said there is "a little formula": name of the race and the word finisher are musts. "We talk about what is the most important word: Is it marathon? Is it the distance (26.2 miles)? Is it Twin Cities? We know people feel a little more pride in it because it's a true finisher shirt; they've earned it." Word emphasis intentionally changes year to year, too.
Color: Twin Cities in Motion partners with Brooks Running for marathon apparel, and the palette is limited, Hegg said. "We're trying to respond to that by mixing up the design more."
Style: Long-sleeved shirts is a fashion that will stay because of the season, Hegg said. Twin Cities in Motion also leans on some of the "very vocal" feedback it gets from runners about shirt fit and design, she said. Shirt-makers have to be conscious of the print and how it affects breathability and comfort.
Design: "We try to mix it up," Hegg said. "If we did a really skyline-centric shirt one year, we'll back off on that idea for a couple of years."
Perhaps a preview of the 2016 shirt? "Everyone is dying to know shirt color," Hegg said. "If you've studied our pattern, you could make a good guess based on what we offer between the marathon and 10-mile."
Correction: An earlier version of the gallery had an incorrect 1988 Twin Cities Marathon T-shirt.
