July 17, 2013

How Much is TOO Much for a Race?

When you first start running competitively it seems like it will be an inexpensive sport. You just need you and a pair of sneakers right? Once you become completely immersed in being a runner you realize you need to replace your shoes more often than you thought, and of course you want the latest pair of flashy neon Mizunos or Brooks. Besides the fact that all that pretty Under Armour and Nike running and workout clothes will cost you.


Aside from looking super fresh out on the streets or on the track, when you become a runner like I did, you want to sign up for ALL the races because it's fun. Quickly the cost of race registrations can add up-like really fast. I realized this as I looked at my credit card statement this week and wondered how I'd charged so much money.  



Well I did register for my marathon and two half marathons in the fall/spring because it was such a good earlybird deal. Then there was that 12 mile race next month and 2 more 5Ks for the fall. Yikes. I read this article in the Baltimore Sun newspaper talking about race costs and thought it would be a great discussion. 

How much is too much for a race?



I thought about this topic back in April when I was running the Nike Women's DC half marathon. I got into registration as a college student, which had a discounted price of $125 instead of the usual $160. I justified it as being my early birthday present-since I was essentially paying for that Tiffany's necklace, that I just had to run 13.1 miles to get.


NWMDC-half-marathon-Tiffanys-bling1





It's a cool run and all, but it's been the most expensive race I've run to date. While I was there at the NWM DC expo, it was packed with all these ladies already rocking super cute outfits from Lululemon and the latest running shoes,who were dropping bank on all the pretty Nike shoes and merchandise that Nike was pushing to sell. For someone like me that's not even close to my budget or what running is about, but it reminds me that races are a business too. 

NikeWomensHalfMarathon



Yes, I splurged on a NWM half zip-but I had a big PR so I justified it. I'm not hating on having pretty running gear or spending money on a passion or hobby, I'm just pointing out that the running industry is a commercial business that can be pretty expensive if you let it be.



Clearly there has been a boom in racing with the number of  finishers of U.S. road races increasing 167% from 5.2 million finishers in 1991 to 13.9 finishers in 2011 . Running has had a huge surge especially for women runners and women's events. It seems like everyone I know is signing up for a half marathon, which I've read is the fastest growing race distance.  The average cost of a half marathon in 2011 was $65 while a marathon's average cost was $89 (facts courtesy of the Sun article). That can add up fast if you are doing multiple races in a year.



The Baltimore Sun article also discusses that fees have increased due to race organization cots and management.  As races grow larger and larger, there needs to be more organization and management. Races are not only a course to run now but are expected to be festival and like a huge party with live music, post-race snacks and/or beer, race shirts, and medals.  This doesn't even include costs of city permits, police, timing chips, parking, and signs needed for race day.



My first half marathon was the Rock 'n Roll Philadelphia half marathon. I thought it was well organized and fun. There was a sweet medal and tech tee along with a post race concert and a free beer, but in the end you're paying a high race fee for all the bells and whistles involved with the Rock 'n Roll series.


philadelphia-rock-and-roll-half-marathon-2013
Post-Philly Rock and Roll Half 2013


I paid roughly $40-60 dollars for "fun" 5Ks like the Warrior Dash and Color Run which are supposed to be all about having fun and not actually running super fast. Both were a great time, but I don't know how many times I could afford to pay to run those events.

It's also my dream to get a Boston qualifying time, which had a marathon race price of $150 for qualifiers this year. That's doable for something that means so much to me. I'd love to run the ING New York City Marathon one day because it's so famous and iconic. 

The article says in 2014 the race registrations will be $216 for local running club members, $255 for nonmembers, and $347 for those from other countries, all along with an $11 processing fee.  Over $200 for a race?  Popular races are the going to be the most expensive obviously, but the estimated cost doesn't factor in possible travel costs, lodging, or food!


A girl in my training group and I touched on this subject on this past Saturday's run. She was saying how it's nice to run with other people who are just as crazy as you to get up far too early on a Saturday morning to run.  She's had people ask her why she pay money to run races, when you can run for free anytime you want! I think that's one of the funny things about the sport, it's competitive, but mostly with yourself for the big races, unless you are an elite athlete or super speedy.



I know race-wise, if there's a higher fee, I'm looking for some really good race swag or race atmosphere (aka good food and beer post-run!).  However, I've found that some of my favorite race experiences have been the smaller, local races which usually have a smaller fee.  Many of the local races also offer a nice premium that you can pay a higher registration fee for, or you can choose to pay a lower fee just to run the race.  I think that's a really nice balance.



Regardless of race costs, I run races for that feeling I get when I cross the finish line.  It's a feeling I can't find anywhere else.





What is the most important aspect of a race for you? What is the most you've paid for a race? 

21 comments:

  1. Races can definitely get expensive, especially when you get into bigger ones like Chicago, NY, Boston, or any Rock N Roll one. I paid $120 for my first marathon (SunTrust National in DC, which is Now a Rock N roll race: they bought it after I ran it). The most I have paid for a half is $90 maybe? I am fully prepared for the $150 I am going to drop for Boston this year and totally okay with that. But I try and be smart about races. A few years ago I raced way more often than I do now (which is saying a lot since I still race often) but it was mainly 5k's so I was spending less. Add in half and fulls a few times a year and it adds up. I try and register early as possible for races, and try and limit to 1-2 "bigger" races (more expensive ones) a year.

    When it comes to picking races, part is location (how close/far away it is, will I need hotel etc? And I am trying to hit all 50 states for marathon so I take that into account as well). I do like small races though, the more relaxed feel, less crowded at start etc.

    As for "adventure races" like color runs and mud runs.... I did a color run once and it was fun but it wasn't something I would do all the time. It's a lot of money for a race that isn't timed, and is just a bunch of color. One of the reasons I love races is they keep me motivated to train and workout and it's hard to stay motivated when you know it's not going to be timed.

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    1. Thanks for the great comment :) As I mentioned, Boston is special but I think registering early is key and picking only a few expensive ones (even though they all sound awesome!). The 50 states challenge is so cool!

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  2. If I pay a good amount for a race there better be some good things coming out of it! Like your tiffany necklace! The most I have paid so far I think is $80. That sounds right but I am just now getting into half mary's! It's hard for me to pay more than that for a race. Which is why I haven't (and don't plan to anytime soon) run a race at Disney and I live right there! I am always on the lookout for discount codes!

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    1. Ah Disney is SO expensive. People say it's worth it but I just can't afford it right now-especially since I have to travel and make a big vacation out of it :)

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  3. What a great article! So glad you posted it on GGS facebook page :)
    I started working out at a gym and running about a year and a half ago and quickly realized how getting myself healthy & fit could also get me broke! LOL
    I paid $100 early bird rate for Tough Mudder and I thought for a race like that, with so many obstacles to build and so much ground to cover, it was worth it. I just paid for my 1st Rock n Roll Half Marathon and I think that was a bit expensive ($130). Throw in the other 5Ks & obstacle races ranging from $35-70 and yea, my hubs thinks my hobby is getting expensive! This isn't going to stop me from joining since like you said, it gives you a feeling like no other and for me it's motivation to keep working out. I especially love obstacle races and can't wait for my 1st Spartan in January!

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    1. It's great motivation you just have to pick and choose what races you really want to run! I did a warrior dash but not a spartan-sounds fun!

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  4. Having fun is the most important thing for me when it comes to a race :) I have a colour run coming up and I can't wait :)

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    1. I did a recap of the color run-it was really fun!

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  5. I agree, running can be an expensive sport...especially if you are enrolling in races! I have to pick and choose what I register for because it all adds up fast!!!
    P.S. I can always find money for lululemon though!!!

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  6. P.P.S. I really love this post!!!

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    1. Thanks! I thought it was a great topic to discuss!

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  7. I also run races for that feeling at the finish line. There's no other feeling like it! Thank you for writing this. I keep saying that I want to run in the Disney marathon(or even half) but I just can't get myself to pay $150+ for the race. And that's not even including travel expenses. Ugh. I have had great experiences with local races and I think I'll stick with those.

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    1. I know-I forgot to mention Disney because it's a really expensive vacation for a race!

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  8. I've definitely thought about this before. I just registered for a few races and the costs really start to add up! I'm jealous of those who seem to run races every other weekend, but I don't know how they can afford it! If I won the lottery, I'd run every race there is :)

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    1. Winning the lottery would be great! I'm trying to pick and choose races more!

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  9. Yes, getting fit enough to run races really started to get too expensive for me. Now I look for opportunities to be an ambassador or write a review for a run or register as early as possible to get a discount. I love participating and some of my greatest memories over the past year have been doing events with my girlfriends but I have to be choosy and only run a couple a year because of the cost.

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    1. Yes, discounts are the best! I think I'll have to look for more ambassador opportunities :)

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  10. so many good points. i hate what some races cost but look at the bright side: gives me something to look forward, sometimes we get to travel somewhere new or visit a fave place, and sometimes its just fun to meet others who come out for a race too. I just limit how many of things I sign up for and sign up early for dicsounts too.
    thanks for the great post

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it! It's fun to splurge on some races, but if you like racing a lot like I do it gets expensive!

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  11. I did a half marathon that I am going to do again this year. The fee is $45, you get a tech tee, a finisher medal and the best scenery along the course. I can't afford to spend a ton on races so I do have to be pretty strict about what races I run. I have also done reviews in exchange for registrations. If you are able to do that, it is great. I've only done that for fun runs though, not half marathons or regular 5k's.

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    1. That sounds like an awesome race! My budget is really tight right now so I've ahd to be more picky. I'd love to do more reviews for races for free registration but that seems to be a rare opportunity for me!

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