Entry Fees

E

elsie3

Cathlete
Racers, I mean no offense, but I'm having a problem with this. I've never raced before, but am on a relay team for a marathon in May. I'm really excited to do it, and the ladies I'm doing it with (there are 2 teams) are fabulous. But I can't get over having to pay entry fees. When I registered and paid the $40 entry fee, I was thinking what else I'd rather do with the money (new fitness equipment, etc.).

And now these formentioned fabulous ladies are inviting me to do other races. It's so nice of them to include me, but I can't imagine paying all the money.

Part of me really wants to do the full marathon next year, but the idea of coughing up around $75 for the experience leaves me flat. I can run for free (well, minus the expense of a good pair of shoes).

I have the same problem with exercises classes. If I pay for fitness, I want to OWN something--equipment, DVD, etc.

I know, I'm neurotic.:eek:
 
I would assume it costs a lot of money to put on those races. Between supplies, people working the race, and all the other logistics, the money has to come from somewhere. If you can't manage the fees though, I would just be honest with your friends and let them know a race here and there might be manageable, but for the most part you prefer to race on your own time for free. ;) I'm with you on the classes. I'd rather just buy the DVD and do it at home when I want. Unless of course I was closer to some of my buddies who happen to teach classes. Then I might pay to go. ;)
 
Race fees aren't there just to make big bucks for the race director... They cover course support, like aid stations, water and Gatorade, all those bazillions of paper cups, the timing clocks and timing chips and timing mats, the cost of closing down city streets (assuming it's a street race), the cost of having the course USATF certified, the post-race food and beverages, and yes, of course, the race t-shirt. That's why people pay to run races... because it's an experience you can't really duplicate on your own. The bigger or longer the race, the more that has to go in to making it successful, thus the higher race fees. So don't feel like you're paying to get "nothing" - you're actually getting quite a bit, though it may not seem that way at first glance. :)

With that said, racing isn't for everyone. Lots of people don't like the crowds, don't like the pressure, or can't fathom shelling out all the money to run race after race... and that's perfectly ok! Don't feel pressured by your friends to run more races if it really isn't your thing. It's not neurotic... it's just everyone's different. ;)
 
I participated in several 5ks and other races this past year (as a walker), and had to pay entry fees.

Event coordinators have to pay for expenses somehow, and many of them are trying to make a profit for some cause.

What made it worth it for me is that I chose primarily events that were connected with some kind of charity or good cause (supporting a women's shelter, Habitat for Humanity, or a conservation group, for example), so that money wasn't just 'thrown away.'

Also, you do get things like a t-shirt and other stuff in a goodies bag that makes up for some of that.

That being said, the entry fees for those I've participated in ranged from $15-$25. $40 would make me hesitate (unless it was for a cause I really believed in. And/or the winning walker received a really great prize, which I would be a contender for).

This coming year, I plan to budget a certain amount for my walking, including monthly race fees, and will choose my events based on that budget (as well as on the causes the events support).
 
Liann said:
I would assume it costs a lot of money to put on those races. Between supplies, people working the race, and all the other logistics, the money has to come from somewhere. If you can't manage the fees though, I would just be honest with your friends and let them know a race here and there might be manageable, but for the most part you prefer to race on your own time for free. ;) I'm with you on the classes. I'd rather just buy the DVD and do it at home when I want. Unless of course I was closer to some of my buddies who happen to teach classes. Then I might pay to go. ;)
Click to expand...

It does cost a LOT of money to put those things on. I found that the experience of racing was well worth the entry fee - I love it!
 
Oh, I didn't mean to imply that the organizers of the race were charging too much. I know it's a HUGE undertaking that is very expensive to put on. I just meant I'm too cheap to want to pay to be involved.;)

Thanks for your replies. I guess I'll wait and decide after the relay if this is for me. I'll probably cave and do the marathon next year, because I'll always wonder if I could.

Thanks again,
 
I understand your point Elsie. I like to do races because it motivates me but after a few, I don't want to spend the money. Racing fees (and travel expenses) can really add up. They can be great experiences but I would just set your budget and work with that - don't be shy to tell your friends you are allocating your funds elsewhere.

Around here - you could run a race every weekend and it could get really expensive. And you don't always get what you pay for.

I'm doing a 200 mile relay next summer with 11 other ladies. The entry fee for the team was slightly over $800. But I was happy to pay my share because I know it is going to be SUPER fun! It's not something I plan on doing every year though.

I'm also doing my first marathon in May and it didn't bother me to pay the $75 fee because it's my first and may be my only. We'll see! I think it will be a great experience.
 
I did 19 races last year but they were all 5Ks or 10Ks. I paid around $10 to $20 a race. Marathons and other specialty races will always run you more. The majority of the races I did last year went to various causes and charities.

I love racing and I would have probably done more if I had the time.
 
Yep, races can be expensive (especially the longer distance ones). I also have to factor in one night in a hotel because alot of the races I do aren't close enough for me to get to on race morning. Plus many of them require a packet pickup the day before the race.

But I love it and think the experiences alone are worth the entry fee. :) I just think of all the great stories I'll have to tell when I'm 90 years old. ;) God willing, I'll still be out there running (or something that I hope resembles running, lol).

Kathy G
 
If it makes you feel any better, those fees sound very reasonable to me. :) The entrance fee for the Boston marathon was $200 (that was 2 years ago, could be higher now), and triathlon races run anywhere from $75 for shorter (sprint length) races to $500 for Ironman length events.

This is why I never "race for fun." If I'm signing up for a race, I train for it, and I race it. I can do a long run on my own - I don't need to shell out $30-50 to run a half marathon if I'm not going to race it. BUT, when you do sign up and train for it and try your best, there is nothing better than the feeling of towing that line and experiencing all that you experience during a race!
 
I agree

Every time I run a 1/2 marathon, right around mile 8 I start asking myself why I pay $80 to torture myself when I can go to the county rec center for $3 and run on the treadmill for 13 miles or better yet run the streets for free. Ugh! I guess it's the t-shirt and cool medal.
 
Thanks for helping me understand better. I knew there has to be something to the "racing" thing if so many people love it. It's made me more excited to try it. Now I guess I should be afraid that the "bug" will bite me. I spend enough money on fitness as it is.:eek:;):eek:
 
I don't race but my husband does and the entry fees at first floored me too (but they were much higher than what you're saying), but my DH does races through his office. Basically, they'll pay for his entry/registration fees if he runs for their charity. It's one of the biggest law firms in LA (he's not a lawyer, he works in IT), so they have a few each year. Does your work do anything like that?
 
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