expenses that can be incurred,” said elite runner Monica Joyce. “Costs – such as for insurance, city permits, police, barricades, printing for flyers and tee shirts, cost of tee shirts, awards and medals, supplies such as paper cups, and timing systems – may not be realized by most runners. “Participants expect so much these days that they should be prepared to pay for it,” Joyce continued. “I hope all the races can make some money for all the time and effort their organizers put in over the months.
“Sponsors aren’t willing to give hand-outs as in the past,” Joyce went on. “Pay the entry fee or don’t run.” “Some entry fees have gotten out of hand,” said Stu Allen, who sends out an e-mail newsletter for Flint area runners. “Other race organizers do a really good job of returning value to the people who participate in their events.”
nice basic race without frills and extras. “A fee of $20,” Mittman said, “is reasonable, with a no-shirt option to reduce fees further. I’d like senior discounts on more races, to encourage seniors to stay active and recognize the contributions they have made over the years in terms of registration fees.” Mt. Pleasant Striders runner and race organizer Harry Plouff uses www.marathonguide.com to seek bargains. “The current fees have gone crazy,” he said. “But races charge what the market bears.
a few dollars. With the increased interest in running and people having a marathon on their ‘bucket lists,’ race fees keep going up.” The Mt. Pleasant Striders, said Plouff, “sponsor numerous races, never charging more than $20, always giving group and family discounts. Fees need to match the purpose of the race. Some are fundraisers, others fun runs. Strider fun runs cost $1, $2 or $5, depending on cost to put them on. “Races need to break even or show a small profit,” he observed. “But money should not keep people from enjoying our sport.”
“This was once a poor person’s sport,” he continued. I needed were a pair page of shoes, shorts 8/10/12 and half page “All vertical template_half vertical 2:12 PM Page 1
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Allen cited a recent trail race in Lowell at which “the entry fee for the 100K was $62, $50 for the 50K. Each runner got a high-quality jacket, suitable for winter wear, and a shirt. The course was almost entirely on trails, which were very well marked. Stations had food and fluids. “At the finish the race director, his wife and family were grilling hot dogs and other goodies. Finishers got medals and almost everybody got some sort of award, even if it was a super-sized whoopee cushion. “Every person who ran this race got more than his money’s worth in swag, support and awards,” said Allen. “I’m sure that every nickel they took in for entry fees went back to the runners. “I also see lots of races that cost at least twice what I paid for this one that don’t give you much for your money. Some folks are out to make a quick buck and think putting on a race is an easy way to do it. “The races that have been around for a while have learned that they must deliver a good experience to get repeat customers,” he said. Jerry Mittman, who has run more than 850 races on practically every continent, called entry fees “a mixed bag, with a good number of ‘value races’ with entry fees of $20 or less.” Mittman’s best “value race” was a half marathon last April in Rabat, Morocco; he received a shirt, hat and medal for $3.60. “Once the fee hits $25 or more,” he said, “I question whether the race is worth it. I will look at alternative events or skip it. I’ve run enough races that I don’t have the feeling I must do another — and I definitely don’t need another running shirt! “There are many events I’ve stopped doing because the fees have risen too high. Some have gotten to be much more than races. That may be what some people want, but I am interested in a
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Michigan Runner - September / October 2012
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