Attaching race numbers

[Peter_B]

For all of the experience racers...

How do you go about attaching a race number to your top? Old fashioned safety pins? Or something more hi-tech?

If safety pins are the favourite - where on Earth do you buy them from? I don't think I've seen safety pins for sale anywhere in my life!

[misswobble Graduate]

Safety pins, one at each corner. These are in all first aid kits but you can buy em from the haberdasher or supermarket. Or, you can hope that there will be some provided at the race or Parkrun

You can buy a swanky pin from Amazon that does not puncture your running top. I've not seen one personally but heard of them; on here I think it was.

[muttleyb]

They'll probably be provided, won't they? But it might not be a bad idea to have a few of your own.

Safety pins are readily available in haberdashery departments, so try John Lewis, Dunelm, etc, and most major supermarkets will have a small section devoted to haberdashery and you'll find them there. Alternatively, order some off the internet. You can even get them in pretty colours these days. And one pack will probably last you a lifetime.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to muttleyb]

I love the word "haberdashery" Not often I get to say it. LOL Right, that's me off to buy some knicker elastic. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[poppypug Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Oh me too ! One of my favourite words of all time and sadly not much call to use it these days xxx

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to misswobble]

In my youth ( aeons ago) I worked in haberdashery in a big department store and I had to do a stock take! Every single button had to be counted! Bl**dy nightmare it was.

[muttleyb in reply to misswobble]

One of my favourite words. Quite pleased with myself that I managed to use it twice in one post. I keep looking at old haberdashery units on ebay as I would like to get one for my sewing room, but they go for silly money. I think if I had one in the house I could probably find a reason to utter the word "haberdashery" at least once a day.

[Inspirus Graduate]

Hi

My local newsagent has safety pins. It's a proper old fashioned local corner shop and they seem to be able to come up with almost anything you ask for. A pharmacy might be able to help you too.

[misswobble Graduate]

WE have an old fashioned shop. My husband daren't go in. it's like Auntie Wainwright's. Last time he went to the supermarket next door and said he wouldn't even cast an eye in its direction. Came back with a ruddy shovel! "For you", he announced. They see him coming. Ha ha

[Zev1963 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Aunty Wainwright's now there's a happy memory from UK TV.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

I'm one of those people who take safety pins everywhere just in case! It's amazing how many times they've been needed!

I've only done one race and I did take pins but when I got there they had loads.

[Zev1963 Graduate]

If you havn't got safety pins.... how about Duct Tape?

[Peter_B Graduate]

Thanks all.

I've got to do a supermarket run tonight so I'll have a nose and see if they have any.

Which sort of size is best? I know there are the large "nappy pin" type and I'm sure I've seen smaller ones at times too.

They may well have them at the event, the confirmation email I've had doesn't mention them, but I'd rather go equipped with some just in case.

Having 2 little boys I'm sure there will be other uses for them in the years to come as well!

[useitorloseit Graduate in reply to Peter_B]

Can we make a den? The scariest sentence in the English language. Always ended in tears in our house, usually mine. Safety pins essential.

[Peter_B Graduate in reply to useitorloseit]

Yep that would be one use. I was thinking along the lines of them being used to attach a cape of some description

[ju-ju- Graduate]

i got a pack of small golden ones from Tesco

[folkieboater Graduate]

eventclip.net

Just need to be able to make a hole in your race number if it doesn't have one. Leave a small dimple in a top/vest but that comes out on the wash. And no stab wounds from the safety pins.

[Lovefood1984 Graduate in reply to folkieboater]

I have something the same as this......I was very skeptical they'd not pop apart mid run but 4 runs later & their still going strong. My local running shop had them

[Tomas Graduate]

You can also get a bib-belt which appears to be a slimline belt to which you attach your number. Very popular in the triathlon crowd as they need their number on the back during the bike part and on the front during the run.

[Peter_B Graduate in reply to Tomas]

I'd imagine that would be quite restrictive, having it tight enough to stay in place?

[Tomas Graduate in reply to Peter_B]

I don't find wearing a heart rate monitor strap restrictive, but on the other hand, that's under the t-shirt rather than on top of it. Maybe you're right. Never tried the bib belt, just seen them mentioned and thought I'd offer it as an option

I'm very much a safety pin guy. Going to my last race I stopped at a convenience store and got 100 of them plus more samples of coloured thread that I know what to do with plus loads of sewing needles plus a wide assortment of other sewing paraphenila. All for a pound. I probably have safety pins to last the rest of my life.

[Peter_B Graduate in reply to Tomas]

I guess it wouldn't be too bad if you're somebody who wears tight tops.

But being on the larger side, and never a fan of clothes that are too close fitting I like a bit of room in my t-shirts.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

[rmnsuk Graduate in reply to Peter_B]

I don't think I'll be putting holes in a compression top anytime soon. I have a cheap but shapeless hi-vis t-shirt for that, that'll go over the compression top, and I'll pin my number to that.

[RainbowC Graduate]

My race pack for this weekend included a small envelope with 4 safety pins in it. I was very impressed! I'm pretty sure our small local co-op has them available; larger supermarkets definitely do with their small selection of sewing/mending bits.