Road Races out of control

I have been a runner for 43 years. Understand this those days are over. Races are not $5 $10 or even $20 anymore. Just like a head of lettuce isn't 39 cents. It's $2 at the lowest. If you can't pay the price don't race

I shouldn't have been so hard on you as I am a bit of an old timer too. I am 59 and an still remember the local 3 mile race 2 loop course at a high school in the summer on a weekday evening where a lot of the high school cross country runners and anyone who entered could run 3 miles road race. Popsicle stick given at the end with your finishing place on it. No electronic timing everything hand timed. Fun days and I smile remembering those says. But they are over

This article on the history of the Balboa Park 8-miler in San Diego is a good explanation of some of the dynamics that have led to the current state of things:

balboapark8miler.com

History | Balboa Park 8 Miler | August 3, 2024

The Balboa Park 8 Miler is the longest running traidion in San Diego. Learn about its illustrious 69 year history.

Open link

tldr summary:

The Balboa park 8 miler used to be a competitive volunteer run race put on by the San Diego TC. It is now run by "San Diego Running Co." (which organizes many races in San Diego). After the 80s running started to drop off. Fewer entrants would show up. Then recreational (non-competitive) running started to become a much bigger thing, especially with more women running than ever before. These non-competitive recreational runners started to become the majority in races. For the most part, they don't care about times and want an experience which for-profit companies like SD Running Co. are happy to give them along with higher entry prices.

Luckily in San Diego there is a series of USATF cross country races in the fall that are $20-35 dollars each (similar to entering collegiate invitationals). Unfortunately all the road races that I know of are fairly pricy. SDTC also puts on $2 suggested donation 5Ks along the San Diego river starting at Hospitality point in the summer. Very low key events with mostly masters runners.

$75 for an entry fee to a 5k road race seems crazy to me. I was on high school in the early 90s and I’m pretty sure that 5k and 10k races in the Chicago area suburbs where I lived were usually maybe $5-10 or so. Possibly as high as $15. Everyone would get a t-shirt and often the top 3 runners in age groups would receive medals or sometimes a trophy.

Now it seems like some races have jackets or other gear which most participants will never even use. I remember a 5k I ran in maybe 10-15 years ago and they justified a relatively high entry fee because of a race branded jacket which I never wore one time and I doubt most runners ever wore it, either.

Races do increasingly cater to people that don't actually like running, however, you should've signed up earlier.

If you don't want races to jack up their prices and lean more towards the casual runner market, then don't increase their risk of netting a loss.

All this talk about $5-$20, but are we accounting for inflation too?

My local running club charges $25 for most races, and they even have a free option if you can’t afford $25. They don’t close the roads and everyone volunteers to help. You get a shirt, too (I always donate mine).

Outside of these, I won’t show up unless I get a complementary elite entry… $150-200 for your average big-city half/full marathon is ridiculous.

But I guess if you consider how much time you spend training for it, you can justify the price like you can justify $250 super shoes.

Lol in summary you missed the registration deadline and you're being annoying about it. I wouldn't reply to you either. It's pretty clearly laid out what happened.

You expect there to be more park runs? Who are you supposing be the one to put those runs on for free? You sound crazy entitled.

Your example, is correct. But there are other examples that cost a tiny amount. Its just choice, if we want big 5k/10k/HM events that shut down the city, its cost so much you have these organizations that have to run the thing for you at great expense. Having a 5/10k at the park even with awards is still cheap.

Just looked at the fees, the only even that is over $200 is the Balti-moron-athon which is the 5K and half in the same day. Marathon is $164, half is 153, 10K is $100, and 5K is $76. Not sure where you get 6 races unless you are counting virtual stuff. I've run the full, half, 10K, and moron-athon and there's always plenty of food. It's general stuff as most races are, but I've never known them to run out. Corrigan tends to do a good job and they aren't after the fastest any longer. They just want people to come out and run an event. There's no money in it so they don't draw the fastest men and women. There is an awards ceremony for the full and half winners. They get interviewed by WBAL who broadcasts the marathon.

At least know what you are talking about before you just spout off about how bad Baltimore is.

I paid £12 for my recent 5k races. They were top races too with the winner sub 14.

10Ks and halfs seem to sell out really quickly now and it's annoying. They weren't this popular 3 years ago. I wouldn't pay more than £30-40 for a half marathon.

Marathons and some halfs have a ballot process or other complicated processes which is just too much hassle. So even if I wanted to do, say, the great north run, I would probably get rejected even if I can finish it relatively quickly.

road racing is dead sadly. Most great races have died and spare a few, the only ones left are just overprice and you get a bad tech tee for signing up.

thought this thread was gonna be about how dangerous it is to have people wearing headphones in races....

A highly, highly competitive race on a great course. 30:06 to win, 34:03 for 10th in M40-49. Coming back from a busted knee in my first race of the year… 31st in M60-69 at 7:57 pace I’m on the « upper » end of AG. Outstanding food after. No T shirt, medal, beer cozy and such. Fine by me. Don’t think there was a for profit race company involved.

They seem to be catering to people who want an 'experience' rather than a simple race with no frills. I don't really want a T-shirt, any food bits or water, etc. I'd like a basic no frills race and the most important thing - it starts on time! I can see - mostly - why they're so expensive though with the current costs to organisers. Park run is great :).

Just to tie this thread with the USATF 10 Road Championship at Cow Harbor thread, definitely one of the reasons it is so popular and gets great community support is that is has always brought in national-class runners. If they did not have that aspect of the race (they were bringing top-level athletes basically since their inception, or very soon after), it would not have maintained it popularity.

As for the entry fee, it is very reasonable. Don't recall what I paid the last time I ran it, maybe in the $50-$60 range. For that, you get a great challenging scenic course, fantastic atmosphere, shirt and more snacks and drinks that you can possibly eat (or take home). Lots of vendors fill the park at the finish, so if you need that extra pen, bag clip, squeezy toy or string bag, you got that too!

Certainly, starting on time is important, but THE most important thing is an accurately measured course.

I have organized regional USATF championship races over the last 10-15 years, and run in them for over 20. I absolutely love the local no-frills 5K. I don't need a shirt for every race I've run, or a medal, or some kind of gift. Sometimes I just want a start, finish, an accurate course, and a finish time. That said, putting these on has become a lot more expensive over the years.

The 'advancements' in running technology have created new costs. You pay a lot more now for these improvements.

Chip timing is more accurate and gives out faster results. That often is a flat rate (depending on the # of runners) or it can be a percentage of registration fee. The tech costs a lot more than the old school tear-away tags at the bottom of your bib.

Online registration, instead of paper registration with a check or cash, also costs a percentage of your registration fee (Or it is added as an additional fee - either way the runner pays for it).

Technical shirts instead of cotton - a shirt can cost up to $10 to produce and print, depending on the type of shirt (technical v. cotton), type (long sleeve v. short), and printing (both sides, color, etc...).

In addition, the 'usual' costs have also increased with inflation.

Depending on where your race is, thanks to the Boston bombing, the police in the Boston area now staff these races with a lot more officers. Races pay for that in 4 hour increments, and for every two officers there has to be a lieutenant.

Permit fees, facility rentals, equipment rentals, and ... porta potties. Those costs have increased markedly.

You can still find the local race that is relatively inexpensive. DanM mentioned Lone Gull (USATF-NE 10K Championship) that was held yesterday. Those organizers did a fantastic job. $35 got you an accurate course, a free short sleeve tech shirt, and some good food (scrambled eggs, french toast, donuts, bagels, cookies, breakfast pastries) at the end.

But, you may also recall that there were maybe two police officers, and two park and rec folks who worked the beach parking lot. It was a very 'simple' race in that regard. Not a lot of frills. And not a lot of added costs. Which is fine!