Sorry Judy It was the same when I was there 35 years ago. My athletes were told they were selected for the national team and the fee was XXX dollars and they better pay it or they would never be selected again. These were open athletes and as a result, despite having national records in the events they were not considered for olympics, commonwealth games, even damn city to surf. Sorry to say, Oz was the black hole of athletics for women.
scooter pie wrote:
It was a novelty. The first ever all-women 10k. I'm sure businesses were lining up to be a part of it
It was not a novelty, not at all.
Businesses were not lining up.
You are not aware of the history. Women were an afterthought. They were usually not even given any awards after races.
I was even concerned on that morning that anyone would show up, as no one had entered in advance. But it turned out quite well.
scooter pie wrote:
Please point out the misuse of funds.
I already did.
I know you're a troll but you should get your head out of the sand.
Ok, here's the bottom line....the event should charge what it expects to cost to put on the event. If it is supporting a chartity, then you would expect to have extra for that. However, for a USATF event you should not be paying extra to fund other activities - that's what the dues and sponsorship dollars are for. If they need to rape the masters runners to fund xxxx training in Mammoth, then screw them. You don't take money from Little League baseball teams to pay the Yankees salaries, do you?
Maybe the USATF should provide a full accounting as to where these dollars go for each event - that should end the discussion.
You need to bid for and put on one of these championships before you spout out of your ignorant mouth. I've been around long enough to know that most masters championships end up losing money...yes at these entry fee rates. I could go into a long list of the fixed and variable expenses, but it wouldn't matter to you anyway. So, go ahead and bitch your way to your coffin. Either that or put on one of these meets (then you'd stop bitchin)...course it would put you into that coffin a bit sooner.
Maybe you should reread my post - I never said that the fees were too high or too low. If they lose money, then RAISE the fees. As I stated before, the fees should be determined by the cost to put on THAT event. My post never pretended to state that I knew the outcome of any analysis of the financials. Sorry that you can't be objective. By the way, I'm also sorry that you have to result to using profanity in your reply to get your message across - seems like you have issues.
Holy crap. If you're a master athlete, you have to be what, at least 35 years old? If at that point (or beyond) in your life you're struggling with a $45 race fee once per year, perhaps you should be spending more time making money and less time running.
Do you not realize how much money it takes to put on a meet? Do you also not realize that no one cares about masters running (and thus little or no sponsorship)? How exactly do you propose this meet be put on?
Stop you belly aching. Stephanie Hightower works hard and deserves 1st Class Airfare and 5 star accomodations.
Morning Zoo w/Dick Gobbler wrote:
Holy crap. If you're a master athlete, you have to be what, at least 35 years old? If at that point (or beyond) in your life you're struggling with a $45 race fee once per year, perhaps you should be spending more time making money and less time running.
?
If we are talking about expenses, maybe you didn't realize that runners do not get free rent (or mortgage),free utilities, free car payments, free health care, free food, or free clothing. Maybe you also didn't realize that every runner doesn't work for a wall street firm handing out peoples retirement income as bonuses. A lot of masters, while making more money, have family obligations that need to come first.
It's obvious that many runners think $45 is nothing and would gladly pay double for the opportunity. Other runners think it is a fair amount and others are having a hard time justifying the amount based on their finances and where they think that money is going.
The problem is that paying $45 isn't just a once per year fee. You don't think a national class runner (or one who aspires to be) runs any other races during the year? I really doubt anyone competing just trains 51 weeks of the year in preparation for the holy grail of races where they can put everything on the line.
I have run races that I thought were overpriced for what the provided. I just didn't run them again. While there is nothing wrong with USATF charging whatever they want, there is also nothing wrong with someone feeling they can't afford to pay that much in their particular situation for a race that only lasts a few minutes.
The only problem I foresee is that if the USATF is happy with the participation, they will continue to charge what they want. The problem is that, unlike a business, if participation drops, they won't lower fees to attract more participants. They will simply just drop the event to save on expenses.
I realize that I work full-time (and along with my wife) pay for my mortgage, utilities, car, health care (well, my employer does), food, clothing AND race fees. I'm middle class, not some hotshot making $500k a year. We can afford to do this comfortably. If we couldn't, I would adjust my finances (which may or may not include eliminating races to reduce cost). I'm in my late 20's. If I couldn't afford this by the time I was a master I would definitely give it the hell up and focus on earning more money. Luckily for me, that's not the case.I know there are other races and other things to pay for beyond USATF. If someone is truly national class, chances are they're getting comped entry into many races as well. Even if they're not, like I said before...pay attention....this is important....If you're having trouble paying for something, perhaps you should be spending more time making money and less time running.No one else is responsible for paying for your hobby. Meets cost money to put on. Deal with it.
Mr Mountain wrote:
If we are talking about expenses, maybe you didn't realize that runners do not get free rent (or mortgage),free utilities, free car payments, free health care, free food, or free clothing. Maybe you also didn't realize that every runner doesn't work for a wall street firm handing out peoples retirement income as bonuses. A lot of masters, while making more money, have family obligations that need to come first.
It's obvious that many runners think $45 is nothing and would gladly pay double for the opportunity. Other runners think it is a fair amount and others are having a hard time justifying the amount based on their finances and where they think that money is going.
The problem is that paying $45 isn't just a once per year fee. You don't think a national class runner (or one who aspires to be) runs any other races during the year? I really doubt anyone competing just trains 51 weeks of the year in preparation for the holy grail of races where they can put everything on the line.
I have run races that I thought were overpriced for what the provided. I just didn't run them again. While there is nothing wrong with USATF charging whatever they want, there is also nothing wrong with someone feeling they can't afford to pay that much in their particular situation for a race that only lasts a few minutes.
The only problem I foresee is that if the USATF is happy with the participation, they will continue to charge what they want. The problem is that, unlike a business, if participation drops, they won't lower fees to attract more participants. They will simply just drop the event to save on expenses.
the older masters runners are often retired and on a limited budget and cant afford to travel. 45$ is a lot of bread to run a sprint race that lasts just seconds.
What are your times guys?
the fees you pay cover the meet director, top meet officials, and any appearance fees for notables. someone has to pay their hotel, airfare, food, rental car, and it's you that does it.
old white dude wrote:
the older masters runners are often retired and on a limited budget and cant afford to travel. 45$ is a lot of bread to run a sprint race that lasts just seconds.
Then don't go and compete if you can't afford it. Like one of the other posters said, this is a hobby for master's competitors, this isn't your job. Not everyone can go run the NYC Marathon, but that doesn't stop them from entering in small, less expensive road races and having just as much fun.
meet mgmt wrote:
the fees you pay cover the meet director, top meet officials, and any appearance fees for notables. someone has to pay their hotel, airfare, food, rental car, and it's you that does it.
Yeah, like a couple of years ago with Henry Rono and his herculean effort at the masters indoor national championship meet.
Long Time So Cal Runner said: "If they need to rape the masters runners to fund xxxx training in Mammoth, then screw them".
Then when I told you that you shouldn't bitch.....that is profanity??? You are sick and screwed in the head man.
Morning Zoo w/Dick Gobbler wrote:
I'm in my late 20's. .
[/quote]
Thanks
"If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own" - Scoop Nisker
You're welcome.
J.R. wrote:
Be thankful?
I'll be thankful when they crash and are history.
I organized and directed the 1st all women's 10k road race, in Los Angeles in the 1970's. The entry fee was $1, which was substantially less than was usual for that time. We had giveways, big trophies, rosettes, many age divisions, several certificates donated for free shoes, sponsorship that helped with the race and quite a few volunteers. It was a great race.
What needs to be done is to get rid of all the misuse of funds from current entry fees, and the bogus donations to charities.
Races are for the runners, not for anyone else.
This is not a road race. It is a track meet. This is not the 1970s, grandpa. It's 2010. This stuff costs money. Renting facilities, equipment, timing officials, etc.
Get rid of your $45 national masters championships and you know what replaces it? NOTHING.
There is no meet. Because the small subset of whiners like you who even look into holding their own quickly realize that these things actually COST MONEY.
Are you actually so f***ing stupid as to believe that these guys are getting rich off of the $45 entry fees for masters athletes? Seriously, you cannot possibly be that f***ing stupid. Really?
You are noise. You add NOTHING to this. You have no f***ing idea what you are talking about. Shut the f*** up.
spare me wrote:
This is not a road race. It is a track meet. This is not the 1970s, grandpa. It's 2010. This stuff costs money. Renting facilities, equipment, timing officials, etc.
Get rid of your $45 national masters championships and you know what replaces it? NOTHING.
There is no meet. Because the small subset of whiners like you who even look into holding their own quickly realize that these things actually COST MONEY.
Are you actually so f***ing stupid as to believe that these guys are getting rich off of the $45 entry fees for masters athletes? Seriously, you cannot possibly be that f***ing stupid. Really?
You are noise. You add NOTHING to this. You have no f***ing idea what you are talking about. Shut the f*** up.
Speaking of being noise that adds NOTHING to the conversation....