USATF Master Track Champs - One Event Will Cost $105!

I agree. What a rip off. I live 6 hours away and was going to run the 5000m or 10,000m but with all those added fees, no thank you. It's not the cost so much as the nickel and dime mentality. The way USATF handled the US Olympic Marathon trials (not even giving the athletes a freakin t-shirt) and handing out one bottle of water to the finishers while the next tent over from the finish line the USATF big wigs were living high on the hog.

PreRunner wrote:

The way USATF handled the US Olympic Marathon trials (not even giving the athletes a freakin t-shirt) and handing out one bottle of water to the finishers while the next tent over from the finish line the USATF big wigs were living high on the hog.

To be clear, you're now bringing up things that have nothing to do with the Masters meet. The big wigs don't make money off the Masters and won't be there.

tycobb wrote:

I am a new master and live 2-3 hours from the meet so I thought it would be fun to get on the track again.

Entry Fee - $50

Masters Committee Surcharge - $25

USATF Membership - $30

Total - $105

(This is on time entry which ends a month prior to the meet - late entry add another $50)

Of course this doesn't include a hotel, gas, food, ect. Each additional race would be another $20. It isn't like I am on a fixed income, but with kids I need to be smart with my money. Why would it have to be this expensive?!

What is the masters committee surcharge for?

Are there qualifying standards, or could you do the 100-200-400-800-1500-5000-10000 septuple and get more value for your money?

jenapharm wrote:

tycobb wrote:

I am a new master and live 2-3 hours from the meet so I thought it would be fun to get on the track again.

Entry Fee - $50

Masters Committee Surcharge - $25

USATF Membership - $30

Total - $105

(This is on time entry which ends a month prior to the meet - late entry add another $50)

Of course this doesn't include a hotel, gas, food, ect. Each additional race would be another $20. It isn't like I am on a fixed income, but with kids I need to be smart with my money. Why would it have to be this expensive?!

What is the masters committee surcharge for?

All it says is this:

*National Masters Track & Field Committee surcharge of $25 per athlete.

What is the masters committee surcharge for?

My understanding is that it covers the cost of drug testing and also travel/housing/food for the 8-10 individuals that comprise the meet management team from the masters TF committee. Unlike other championships USATF does not require the LOC to cover the meet management costs.

tycobb wrote:Why would it have to be this expensive?!

Because the price is the price. You could choose not to go.

Are you driving the Lexus SUV or the Acura luxury sedan to the event? Are you staying at the Four Seasons, or slumming at the Ritz Carlton?

Is USATF still charging $10,000-$30,000 non-refundable to submit an application to host Masters competitions? After the fees, the host school won't make much if any money and why would any place pay this money not doing if they will get the meet? The officials get a dorm room and dorm cafeteria meals.

Is USATF still charging $10,000-$30,000 non-refundable to submit an application to host Masters competitions? After the fees, the host school won't make much if any money and why would any place pay this money not knowing if they will get the meet? The officials get a dorm room and dorm cafeteria meals. Sorry for the prior typos.

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

tycobb wrote:Why would it have to be this expensive?!

Because the price is the price. You could choose not to go.

Are you driving the Lexus SUV or the Acura luxury sedan to the event? Are you staying at the Four Seasons, or slumming at the Ritz Carlton?

I drive a Hyundai and sleep at Wal-Mart when I go to races. I agree with the OP that the cost is high to just run one race. If you look at results, most years there are a handful of actual contenders and then the rest are locals who will pay the money so they can tell people they were 7th in the NATION in some race even though there are probably a thousand runners capable of a better time.

I was thinking of driving from maryland to run. Might think again

jenapharm wrote:

What is the masters committee surcharge for?

I'm hosting the Masters Combined Events, and I have to add a $10 surcharge. $5 is going toward drug testing and $5 toward Masters Combined Events.

and due to high costs will probably never compete again.

However I enjoy running just as well on my own, and it's free.

Richnot wrote:

Is USATF still charging $10,000-$30,000 non-refundable to submit an application to host Masters competitions? After the fees, the host school won't make much if any money and why would any place pay this money not knowing if they will get the meet? The officials get a dorm room and dorm cafeteria meals. Sorry for the prior typos.

No, it's not that high for any of the Masters Championships.

Then just qualify for regular club nationals, it's cheaper.

pop_pop!_v2.2.1 wrote:

tycobb wrote:Why would it have to be this expensive?!

Because the price is the price. You could choose not to go.

Are you driving the Lexus SUV or the Acura luxury sedan to the event? Are you staying at the Four Seasons, or slumming at the Ritz Carlton?

I drive a ten year old Jeep. As a mentioned earlier the $105 wouldn't really impact my life but it just seems like absurdly overpriced. I try to save money by making good decisions with my racing expenses.

Why are the drug testing at meets with no prize money and road races that give out thousands have no testing? How many positives have they gotten at the Track Championships? I know these road races might not be "USATF Championships" but the system is messed up.

It's laughable they have drug testing at this meet. I can't imagine how many medications some of these athletes are on in their advanced ages. They have athletes in their 80s competing. It must be a nightmare to administer.

That said - most of the people that compete probably have or have had (if retired) full time jobs and they can afford to pay for it. They don't live like professional athletes - rather just everyday people with careers who just so happens to also be track athletes in their spare time.

tycobb wrote:

Why are the drug testing at meets with no prize money and road races that give out thousands have no testing? How many positives have they gotten at the Track Championships? I know these road races might not be "USATF Championships" but the system is messed up.

They do get masters positives at events like this and it's usually bullshit stuff like blood pressure medication because the athletes didn't apply for a TUE... because they are a recreational masters athlete and aren't thinking about TUEs...

I actually agree with the sentiment though, there are a handful of USATF Championships with prize money for Masters, that's where the testing should be focused. Test masters at Club Cross, not the Masters Throws Championships.