The recent registration fee hikes in certain high profile races (ahem, New York City Marathon) got me to thinking about the economic side of racing. While running is often considered a pretty inexpensive sport–all you really need is a good pair of shoes and a place to run, lately the cost of running seems to be on the rise. Racing fees have been creeping up and have actually caused some runners (and definitely non-runners!) to have sticker shock.
Reasons for fee increases are often attributed to the cost of police coverage for road closures, etc. This was the reason cited by the New York Road Runners (NYRR) as the main reason for the 2012 marathon fee increase– from $156 to $216 for NYRR members and from $196 to $255 for non-members). It should be noted, however, that the NYPD would not disclose how the increased costs of their service was calculated.
The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) passed on a more moderate fee hike of $20 (from $130 to $150). The Rock n’ Roll series (Competitor) of races are often noted for their relatively high race fees. I find it interesting that race fees are continuing to increase substantially in a down economy. I guess we are willing to pay more for the privilege to race, even when times are tight.
Although there are a number of races I would really like to run in 2012, I do not have an unlimited budget and will have to make some choices regarding entry fee and travel costs. I did decide to spend $95 to run the Anthem Half Marathon (part of the Shamrock Marathon series) in Virginia Beach when I could have opted for a less expensive local race like the New Bedford Half Marathon (often used as a tune-up by Boston Marathoners) for only $40. However, all of my other 2012 races will be much less expensive and within an easy driving distance.
Would a significant fee hike like that of the New York City Marathon deter you from running it or would you just go for it? Do you feel that increasing race fees have affected your race calendar for 2012?
Great post! I usually stick to local 5k and 10k races, so the fees are not terrible, but I’ve signed up for a 1/2 in March and before doing so looked for every possible way to save a buck. If it was a race I had my heart set on, I’d probably suck it up and pay the extra money…after all, I’ve never directed a race, and I can’t imagine the number of complaints they deal with. However, that being said, it does seem ludicrous to spend nearly $200 just to run 26.2!
It’s so interesting to see those numbers and realize it’s not just in my head! 🙂 Yes- I’m doing my best to stick to a few races nearby… I’d love to do more, but it doesn’t make sense to spend so much.
I know those figures are mind-boggling! I understand it’s a high-profile race in an expensive city, but still! I think we need a racing revolt! 😉
Cost is definitely a factor in racing. I would love to race so much more, but between the race fees, and other costs like parking at the race (and sometimes also parking at the expo), it gets costly. It makes me wonder how folks who race every weekend can afford it. Even for cheap local 5K races, those $20-30 every weekend (sometimes twice a weekend) add up. I mean, I guess if you budget for it, great, but it adds up fast.
I don’t know how people afford to race every weekend either! If only I had an unlimited race budget, the places I would go! I stick to local races for almost all shorter distances 🙂
Cost is a factor in what races I run. I only ran four races last year and plan on four or five this year and will probably only spend $200 total. With two little kids I can’t justify spending a lot of money on running. Where I grew up the local athletic club had a no frills cross country race every thursday in the summer and every Saturday in the winter. The cost was $3 a race. The only one like that around here is on Thurdays about 30 minutes in the opposite direction from home.
Having two little ones, I totally hear you on the cost issue. Another thing to look into is the local track club. I belong to the Falmouth Track Club in my home town and a lot of the races are discounted for members. They also have a really cool program that allows you to get free entry to other races you want to run in exchange for volunteering and attending local meetings!
Local races where money goes to local causes! I would pay more for a cause I believed in but NOT so the $ could go to a big bank like ING or Bank of America just to wait HOURS in a corral and have my family have to fight for a place to cheer me on!
Rachel, I definitely agree on supporting causes. I have really enjoyed racing for charity for this reason. At least if it’s a big race, you know that the charity is getting the money you raise. 🙂 I also like the more relaxed feeling of local races.