HS State XC meets can bite me

LOL!

How do you expect states to put on the meets? It isn't free to put on these meets, it costs money. They have to rent out the park for the day (or weekend), they have to pay for the timing system/services, pay the workers at the meet, etc. Every meet that is put on has a price for it -- invitationals are paid by the schools competing as an entry fee, which (often) makes it free for the public to come and see. But are you going to CHARGE schools for qualifying for their state meet and being able to compete at that level? Of course not, that would be ridiculous! They already have to pay for the hotel stay and the driving to/from the meet, along with meal expenses, etc. So who are you going to charge? ... the only ones that are left, the public that want to see the meet!

And while I agree that $10/adult and $8/kid is a bit steep (I think it's $8/adult and $6/kid here in WA, which seems about right), and I understand about you not having enough money with you at the time, but is that really a reason to bitch and moan about it? Or to go on a rampage about it 9 months later because it still bothers you, and then lash out at those who have beliefs contrary to your own? Get a grip, you aren't better than everyone else, you probably should have realized that it was going to cost something to get in to the meet, so it was pretty much your fault for not coming prepared... but that isn't any reason to bash the sport for trying to put on a state meet, or to insult other people for sticking up for their sport.

And really... is 30 minutes that far of a drive? If so, you're spoiled. Don't complain.

you are the cheapest muther f***er honestly, they are just trying to raise money...get a job

Run it wrote:

The dude said the "the quality of the competition should make it worth it". If the quality was so high, it would not be in the back of the sports page - sorry. How much do they charge to watch the big USATF National meets? $150 bucks?

Sorry about getting a little pissed. I just figured that this supposedly "competitive" board would not be filled by small minds.

we're sorry, we all thought you were one of us. You see, most of the people on here are assholes, so when you came on and acted like an asshole (talking about running nonetheless!) we assumed you were an actual runner who cared about the sport. Apparently you don't, because you can't appreciate the actual competition that goes on, and have a very simple outlook on life when you let your local newspaper determine your perception of competitiveness.

And yes, national championship meets DO often cost hundreds of dollars to attend. Tickets for the '08 Trials in Eugene are several hundred dollars and have been sold out for a good while now.

It's a good thing your kids are too f***ing slow to ever qualify for a state meet. It'd be terrible to have to choose between watching them and staying out of insurmountable debt.

I'd be pissed, too, as I handed over the 34 bucks and went in. I've been known to not take a scenic walk or museum or house tour based on price and principle. That said, our state's high school cross country meet is a big deal and it is free. I think they (state HS cross country meets) should all be free.

Nice troll. Well played sir.

Run It,

The debate should not be about whether or not $10/$8 is too steep of an entry fee to charge but rather about you attempting to take your 4,6, and 9 year olds to watch a cross country meet. I like running and enjoy watching it but can't imagine enjoying watching it at those ages. The only thing worse I can think of is attempting to corral my 3 kids at a cross country meet. Be glad they didn't let you in.

And do you think a cross country meet is like a garage sale where if something is priced at $34 you can offer them $20?

Anyhoo... wrote:

Nice troll. Well played sir.

Thank you Thank you! A lot of you Letsrunners are such suckers!!! It's so easy that it's almost not even fun anymore. What's happening to you guys?

for one thing, we still believe our dreams can become reality.

I've NEVER been to a X-C meet in my life that charged money. The only way I can see them even able to control something like that is if you had to all park in the same parking lot at the golf course or park and there was only 1 way in.

Is this common now, to charge money to see a X-C meet? I've never heard of that before.

I can buy a tasty meal at McDonalds for $4. That is not even close to $10.

Harry Kooter wrote:

A $10 entry fee does not "price out the casual fan". Seriously, think about what a small amount of money that is. That's an hours wage even if you're working a shit job. Hell, you could barely buy lunch at a fast food place for that. Just put up the small fee and deal with it, or don't, but don't bitch about it.

Troll or not, I agree that admission to high school/college XC meets should not have a fee. Charge for parking, charge for programs, sell concessions, sell shirts, ask for donations, sell raffle tickets for a massively inflated price-all ok in my book. But if you just want to come out to watch the meet, no fee. In most places, XC doesn't have the kind of demand/interest from the general public as high school football, basketball, soccer.

Plus, coming from a long-time race organizers perspective, I can tell you that the logistics of controlling a gate for most XC meets is nearly impossible.

As for covering meet expenses, most State Associations run championships in many different sports. Some of those championships can easily make money, others don't. As a State Association you can't look at just XC and try to cover meet expenses, you need to look at all your championships and make sure the big picture works.

Up here in Vermont, no fee to go watch the State Meet.