Professional Runner's Salary

You realize there are more events competed than the distances, right?

You named Lagat. He's a miler. He's only raced a few 5k's to my knowledge. You may want to include more events & "standard times."

I'm sure if you search the forum you'll find an answer...

Try the words "athlete salary" and/or "runner salary"...

5k: 13:30-13:45, 10k: 28:20-28:45, 1/2 marathon: 1:03:30-1:04, or marathon: ~2:15-2:17:30 = $0.00 & maybe gear

5k: 13:15-13:30, 10k: ~28:00, 1/2 marathon: ~1:03, marathon: ~2:15 = $0.00-$15,000 / year (depending on who your agent is)

5k: ~13:00, 10k: ~27:30, 1/2 marathon: ~1:02, marathon: ~2:10 = $30,000-$50,000/ year. depending on many factors. ritz makes $250,000 + , if you run a 13:00 5k you'll make somewhere around $50,000 + year, and it depends on your nationality and your agent.

a lot of factors play into what you can make as a base salary.

runnerkajdskl wrote:

5k: 13:30-13:45, 10k: 28:20-28:45, 1/2 marathon: 1:03:30-1:04, or marathon: ~2:15-2:17:30 = $0.00 & maybe gear

5k: 13:15-13:30, 10k: ~28:00, 1/2 marathon: ~1:03, marathon: ~2:15 = $0.00-$15,000 / year (depending on who your agent is)

5k: ~13:00, 10k: ~27:30, 1/2 marathon: ~1:02, marathon: ~2:10 = $30,000-$50,000/ year. depending on many factors. ritz makes $250,000 + , if you run a 13:00 5k you'll make somewhere around $50,000 + year, and it depends on your nationality and your agent.

a lot of factors play into what you can make as a base salary.

No way 13:00 guys are only making $50k a year. Could anyone give some info on the slower ranges, like 29:00-29:30 guys?

noped wrote:

No way 13:00 guys are only making $50k a year.

I'll bet many are making less than that.

Like the precious poster says it all depends on nationality. For some 13:15-13:30 Americans it can be more than 50k for others less than 15k.

Times are only part of the formula-

Nationality-An American/European/Australian runner can demand higher appearance fees and can get better sponsorships then an Ethiopian or a Kenyan. In the words of Craig Mottram "I'm more of an anomaly then they are"

Potential-A runner with more potential (fast times early or with little training) probably has a better chance of getting sponsors.

How you market yourself-look at Dean Karnazes. He cannot sniff those times and yet due to his pr department he is making plenty of money. Or the Brian Sell workhorse/blue collar story. You need to seperate yourself from most others.

Championships-Meb has an Olympic silver, which can command appearance fees and gets sponsors.

Unlike many occupations, (doctors, lawyers, engineers) good runners cannot make a living from this sport, very good runners scrape by and the great runners get a healthy salary. Only the best of the best get rich.

Everyone here is talking out of his bony ass.

"Most people would never guess that some the best college distance runners sign contracts between $100,00 and $200,000 per year. The world of sprinting pays even better, with the best guys earning up to $600,000 per year. Right out of college."

http://www.chasingkimbia.com/?p=577

800 dude wrote:

Everyone here is talking out of his bony ass.

"Most people would never guess that some the best college distance runners sign contracts between $100,00 and $200,000 per year. The world of sprinting pays even better, with the best guys earning up to $600,000 per year. Right out of college."

http://www.chasingkimbia.com/?p=577

Sprinters are not part of the discussion. And that quote "some of the best college distance runners sign contracts between $100,000-$200,000" is absolutely ridiculous and misleading. Ritz makes $250,000. Webb makes similar. They are by far in the minority. Only a very small percentage of American distance runners can make a living off of their salaries from their sponsors. Very very small percentage.

It's sad that people actually think American distance runners make good money. Very sad.

To answer the previous poster's question: how much does a 29:00-29:30 guy make... = $0.00. You won't get shoes from a shoe company either. You may (depending on how generous your local shoe store is) get shoes from a generous shoe store. The numbers are pretty much the same for 28:30 guys as well. You need to run low 28's to get shoes from a shoe company.

If you run 27:45-28:00 and do fairly well on the roads, winning some US championships, placing high 2-4 - you can earn somewhere between $30k and $50k. But that depends on who your agent is and what kind of connections he/she has in the industry.

Running fast is no guarantee of any kind of earnings. You have to play the game. Know the right people AND run 13:15, 27:45, 62:00, and 2:11.00 in the marathon before you can even think about earning money. And in most cases, what you do earn is very temporary and dependent on maintaining that high level or you will lose it quicker than you got it...

The bottom line is very few people can make a good living in the sport. Very few.

noped wrote:

Could anyone give some info on the slower ranges, like 29:00-29:30 guys?

If you attempt to make a living as a 29:00-29:30 guy you will actually be be fined. If you have no money to pay the fine you will be beaten publicly with a large rotting fish.

You can try, but you'll go very hungry; and very likely die of starvation.

I read in the news paper that webb signed with Nike for a SEVEN FIGURE salary... That was in the San Diego Union Tribune... Thats over one million a year.

So how much do you think the Gouchers make? or the Halls?

Ummmm... wrote:

You realize there are more events competed than the distances, right?

You named Lagat. He's a miler. He's only raced a few 5k's to my knowledge. You may want to include more events & "standard times."

I'm sure if you search the forum you'll find an answer...

Try the words "athlete salary" and/or "runner salary"...

Wow, are you that air headed? Really, it's an honest question because anybody with even an average intelligence can understand what he's asking for. It doesn't matter really if Lagat is a miler, you can still give at least some sort of answer as to what type of salary he makes off of his running. And with a little bit of brainstorming, you could even figure what other runners in other events i.e. the steeple, would accumulate based on their times by fitting them in the appropriate category. You're just purposely being a jackass and should be put through a wood chipper for it.

2900 to 2930s can get shoes / gear. Just depends on how you market yourself to the company. Many companies have Ambassador Programs through the reps which are worth 6-8 trainers per year, 2 pair of flats and a nice assortment of clothing. Anything else they'll usually let you purchase at 20% below cost.

Nick Harrison a 209 aussie marathoner never got more than shoes/gear from adidas, not sure of AIS support or from his club.

Running under 13:30 will net you around 30,000...FACT

Just where do you guys think they make all this money? Appearance fees? How many runners do you know get appearance fees?

Winning races? Hardly.

That leave sponsors. How many runners are paid to run and paid well? Hardly any. Those that are don't make much. It's just not cost effective to the companies.

Guys, I hate to break it to you, but runners aren't the household names that basketball, baseball and football players are.

webb makes a seven figure salary if you combine each year he signed. a 5 year deal at $250,000 per year....over 7 figures.

Webb. One runner.

Got any others?

Seems like the way to riches is a very, very narrow road.

thatguy wrote:

Running under 13:30 will net you around 30,000...FACT

Really, I know guys who have run 13:20 and all they get is gear and some travel money. Track and field is becoming like major league sports with a salary cap. The big stars get paid big amounts but the "journeymen"/role players salaries are getting smaller and smaller. A company like Asics pays Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor big money but don't have 20 or 30 guys/girls earning 10-30k.

either they are not north american or they do not have the right agent.