Running races are cheap comparitively

Question:

<< – - – - -and no policemen on the course monitoring traffic and it has lime green and purple t-shirts – - – - – Hey, my club colors are lime green. I’d pay extra to get a t-shirt like that! (;-) – - R. Walter R. Walter, CA

Response:

I think this enters into the territory of everything is relative. I’ve been to many races where I certainly found that they weere worth my $20.00 or sometimes more with late fees, longer distances, etc. Most often, the receiving charities have been unquestionably worthwhile. If nothing else, I believe that the community building is worthwhile. I think the only time I’ve felt cheated is when the distances are mismeasured. I’ve been to a couple where this was a result of course changes or mistakes in a new race. Fine. Lord knows, we all make mistakes. Others have carelessly repeated the mistake with little or no consideration to the work that runners put into training to run their best. I remember one "10k" that I injured myself in the last mile and walked in a "PR". I later learned that this had happened in previous years. The "5/10k" was administered by folks who made it part of some homecoming weekend or something like that at a large private university. Whatever. As to the value, $20.00 has meant different things at different times in my life. I’ve eaten on $20.00 for a week at times and spent the same amount on on so-so dinners for myself when I am too lazy to cook. I’ve walked six miles to save bus fare and spent $$$$ on cabs rather than a bus to save just a few minutes. What’s my point? I’ve no gripe at what a well-run race charges. I knoww that they have all their costs and usually just get by. It would be sad, however, if ones only chance to compete is to fork over $20.00. I am grateful that a lot of local running clubs have weekly or monthly runs that cost little or nothing. I think the highest charge I see at these races is $5.00 for non-members. As far as I can tell, they are always accurate as to distance and timing. Sure you don’t get T-shirts, mile markers, water on course, etc. What I do get is a chance to run against and with folks who care about running. There is no jostling at the starting line. No porta-potty lines. Tony

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I dont want to be a troll but to spend $30-$40 on a race isnt a whole lot when you think they have to shut down roads, maybe have finishers medals, promote the race etc. I paid $195 to do the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon and $140 to do the Wildflower tri–now thats expensive! Guess it depends a lot on how well the race is organized and where its at. If the race is around country roads with farmers driving by( no road closures) and no policemen on the course monitoring traffic and it has lime green and purple t shirts and the money isnt for any charity and it doesnt post any results on the web plus it takes four hours to post them at the race and they charge you $30, thats a rip. just my thoughts jeremy

Response:

From a runners point of view- the costs are so cheap, $30 a race sounds onerous when you do that several times a year. Three pairs of shoes maybe $200 and various socks and clothes another $100 a year. The big hidden cost increased appetite for all those extra calories you are burning. 3000 – 5000 kcals a week is an extra medium meal a day and that isn’t cheap. I figure a $1000 year for the extra food required.

Response:

Many of the races are businesses. The larger ones have a paid director with possible staff and budgets in the million dollar range. Every major city has services who’ll do about 80% of the work- permits, lay out course, some ads, starting & finishing line, starting at about $3000. You have do the shirt design, target advertising, donation solicitation and provide volunteers. So th math to see the minimum needed to break even. And can you attract such a crowd in a crowded race season? Theres a catch-22 there. You usually cant get the permits unless you have demonstrated experience, so the first year you are almost required to hire a service. Subsequent years you can rent equipment and try your own. The first years is also a gamble in attracting a large enough field. Been there, done that.

Response:

I dont want to be a troll but to spend $30-$40 on a race isnt a whole lot when you think they have to shut down roads, maybe have finishers medals, promote the race etc. I paid $195 to do the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon and $140 to do the Wildflower tri–now thats expensive! Guess it depends a lot on how well the race is organized and where its at. If the race is around country roads with farmers driving by( no road closures) and no policemen on the course monitoring traffic and it has lime green and purple t shirts and the money isnt for any charity and it doesnt post any results on the web plus it takes four hours to post them at the race and they charge you $30, thats a rip. just my thoughts jeremy

Response:

You’re not a troll.. A troll has another motive other than participating in topical relevant subject matter. My wife finds it hard to believe I spend $20 on these races, but I honestly think it’s a bargain. One way to look at it is looking at the costs of running the race as you have , the other way is the "value" of the race to the runner. Races provide me with incentive prior to the event , comraderie at the event, and a bag o’ goodies after the race. The last race I ran cost me $20 and I got a free pair of smartwool socks valued at $12, plus breakfast. Not to mention free Clif bars, etc etc. I can think of a lot worse things that I could (and do) spend my money on. Drinking – JunkFood – etc.. ~Willy

Response:

Filed under: Community building

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

TrackBack URL | RSS feed for comments on this post.

Activism Change

Learn, read, react :: Activism