Race Management Companies Exploiting Sport???

Other Running Related Topic

9 years ago 10/18/2014 7:21am EDT

Just curious to know if anyone else is concerned about race management companies making big money organizing and promoting events. These companies either try to create events on their own or are contacted by a group to organize an event, use and abuse local sponsorship dollars, often do not buy their awards, shirts, food locally, take advantage of free volunteer labor, and don't seem to care if they "step-on" any other local races along the way. Runners, volunteers, and sponsors often have no idea how much these companies are actually profiting from these events, or that much of the sponsorship and registration dollars generated is for profit, does not go directly to charity, and does not remain in the local economy. Thoughts on this??? Thank you!

Here's a pending lawsuit against Competitor Group Inc for the exploitation of volunteers:

http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/10/slu_professor_sues_rock_n_roll_marathon_for_fraud_exploiting_volunteers.php

9 years ago 10/18/2014 8:37am EDT

re: RunnersRoost22

As a race director, what frustrates me is the people who don't know squat about running but choose to exploit the sport to raise money for their cause, solicit local sponsors, and hire non-local race management companies to come in and organize their event(s). When all is said and done, a huge chunk of the money generated does not stay local, yet most who support these events (runners, sponsors, volunteers) don't have a clue! These management companies hide under the cover of promoting them as "Charity Event," and exploit the sport and everyone who unknowingly supports them.

9 years ago 10/18/2014 11:22am EDT

re: RunnersRoost22

Do all you can to inform your local runners and/or running clubs about the races you are referring to. People need to be informed that this is going on! As stated, most don't have a clue.

9 years ago 10/18/2014 1:52pm EDT

re: BamaBoy

9 years ago 10/18/2014 2:13pm EDT

re: RunnersRoost22

9 years ago 10/18/2014 3:51pm EDT

re: Randy Oldman

Thank you for the let's run link! Obviously didn't realize my concern was already a topic of conversation.

9 years ago 10/18/2014 5:07pm EDT

re: RunnersRoost22

The problem is in many, if not most, cases the volunteers and sponsors are totally unaware that a management company is profiting from their generosity. Many runners are also clueless and/or don't care where the money is going.

9 years ago 10/18/2014 5:21pm EDT

re: JohnDoeRuns

I think you want to be careful about painting all RDs and professional race management companies with the same brush. Sure, there are some folks who are just in it for a quick buck (the Dean Reinkes of the world, and more recently start-up MOB event RDs). But even most races that are for the benefit of a non-profit, high-quality events put on by volunteers or an organization with a true passion for running, or both, pay event management professionals (timing companies, infrastructure and equipment rental companies, labor crews, etc) to manage all or part of their event. And I don't begrudge these professionals getting paid--as long as they're doing their job well. If you want a sustainable, high-quality event, it takes a pretty rare set of circumstances for it to be able to be entirely volunteer-run.

But yes, if there are shady folks involved in event production in your area, don't run their races or hire them to manage a part of yours. Speak with your wallet.

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Race Management Companies Exploiting Sport???

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