How high can marathon entry fees get?

Started running bandit when the prices went above $20.

I always get a chuckle when I hear runners complain about race fees. Try triathlons and then talk to me.

+1 for your handle, Mr Sacamano.

signed Mr. Vandelay

somebloke wrote:

+1 for your handle, Mr Sacamano.

signed Mr. Vandelay

My friend Jay Reimenschnider eats horse all the time. He gets it from his butcher.

Someone mentioned triathlons; I wonder if they lead the way. Do marathon organizers look at how much they charge and figure they can charge more too?

triathonguru wrote:

I always get a chuckle when I hear runners complain about race fees. Try triathlons and then talk to me.

I'd been thinking about entering some, but then I looked at the entry fees and laughed my way out of it. Is there a legitimate reason for the exorbitant pricing, or is that just what the market is willing to pay?

Is it really such a bad problem to have? A lot of races have lost elite fields (Cleveland, Houston, LA, Detroit, Austin, etc.) from the days when marathons were not popular either as a participation sport or an elite event. Now that the sport is popular, there is also a lot of money going into professional development. Many of the major races have Olympic development programs that comp entries, provide housing/travel support and bonuses for getting a qualifier. Back in the day, you would be lucky if the race director would let you pitch a tent in his back yard.

Anything above $20 isn't worth it.

Bob Sacamano wrote:

For example, could Boston, New York, or Chicago charge $1,000 and still sell out? Sure people would complain, but would they still pay it? At what price will runners say forget you?

I wouldn't pay that much but lots of bucket listers would. There's still lots of room for marathon prices to go higher. And yes triathlons pave the way. Ironman Hawaii was $850 this year, plus "applicable online registration fees".

Costs more to put one on than a simple footrace.

Howard Dean wrote:

triathonguru wrote:

I always get a chuckle when I hear runners complain about race fees. Try triathlons and then talk to me.

I'd been thinking about entering some, but then I looked at the entry fees and laughed my way out of it. Is there a legitimate reason for the exorbitant pricing, or is that just what the market is willing to pay?

kfshdjsj wrote:

Bob Sacamano wrote:

For example, could Boston, New York, or Chicago charge $1,000 and still sell out? Sure people would complain, but would they still pay it? At what price will runners say forget you?

I wouldn't pay that much but lots of bucket listers would. There's still lots of room for marathon prices to go higher. And yes triathlons pave the way. Ironman Hawaii was $850 this year, plus "applicable online registration fees".

$850 is pretty high, but at least you are getting - for most of us - a 10+ hour experience with fuel & support.

Check these prices just to run and take selfies.

Dopey Challenge presented by Cigna®

$550 by May 19, 2015

$580 between May 20, 2015 and June 9, 2015

$610 on or after June 10, 2015

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge presented by Cigna®

$360 by May 19, 2015

$380 between May 20, 2015 and June 9, 2015

$400 on or after June 10, 2015

Walt Disney World® Marathon presented by Cigna®

$175 by May 19, 2015

$190 between May 20, 2015 and June 9, 2015

$205 on or after June 10, 2015

Walt Disney World® Half Marathon presented by Cigna®

$175 by May 19, 2015

$190 between May 20, 2015 and June 9, 2015

$205 on or after June 10, 2015

Walt Disney World® 10K presented by Cigna®

$110 by May 19, 2015

$125 between May 20, 2015 and June 9, 2015

$140 on or after June 10, 2015

Walt Disney World® 5K presented by Cigna®

$65 per participant by June 9, 2015

$75 on or after June 10, 2015

runDisney Kids Races

$15 per child by June 9, 2015

$20 on or after June 10, 2015

One Mile Run

$30 per child by June 9, 2015

$35 on or after June 10, 2015

Bob Sacamano wrote:

somebloke wrote:

+1 for your handle, Mr Sacamano.

signed Mr. Vandelay

My friend Jay Reimenschnider eats horse all the time. He gets it from his butcher.

Glad to see you've recovered from that nasty case of rabies.

Most races of any distance are too expensive. It's getting ridicurous.

not certain about the small, local marathons but Boston/Chicago/NYC could probably charge up to $400 and it would be completely full.

$40 - $45 for a local 5k is getting to be common around here.

bottom line: road racing is going to become much less popular due to excessive greed on the part of the race organizers.

Granted, part of the race fees go to charity but the other 85 percent is pocketed by somebody else.

Ms. Changstein: You know, you're not really Chinese.

Everyhting these days seems to cost too much. I recall sitting in the first tier at Shea Stadium for $10 or $12, in the orange seats...real seats, not nosebleeds. Today, a nosebleed ticket at Camden Yards is $20, and the real seats (first tier) start at about $50.

Sports are no longer for working folks. Sports are now for the rich.

Precious Roy wrote:

Now that the sport is popular, there is also a lot of money going into professional development.

By "professional development" do you mean salaries at USATF?

My city's marathon used to have a paid pro field. They stopped, and the race just kept attracting more runners/hobby joggers/whatever. Money in their pocket.

Marathon? What's to see?...a guy from Kenya, a woman from Norway, and 20,000 losers.

Donna Chang wrote:

Bob Sacamano wrote:

My friend Jay Reimenschnider eats horse all the time. He gets it from his butcher.

Glad to see you've recovered from that nasty case of rabies.

Most races of any distance are too expensive. It's getting ridicurous.

Howard Dean wrote:

[quote]triathonguru wrote:

I'd been thinking about entering some, but then I looked at the entry fees and laughed my way out of it. Is there a legitimate reason for the exorbitant pricing, or is that just what the market is willing to pay?

It depends whether it's a for-profit or non-profit organization hosting it.

Is there any need to run major marathons anyway?

+1 to all Seinfeld references. You kids are on fire

Someone better call Jean Paul and ask him how much he paid for a race that provides so much, even hot tea.

About $120. When I saw LA was $160, I decided not to sign up. CIM and Philly are about $100 and good deals. A lot of reviews of the Disney races include people regretting how much they paid.

triathonguru wrote:

I always get a chuckle when I hear runners complain about race fees. Try triathlons and then talk to me.

Why are you so proud to be a sucker?

Didn't ironman just get sold? $650 million?

Nice.