Race wants prize money back

I am just going to point out that we are only hearing one side of the story. Yes, it sounds as if the RD put out confusing information, and FROM WHAT I HEAR, I would keep the money, too...

...but I find it hard to believe that the RD jumped straight to "we will sue you if you do not comply".

Something doesn't add up (pun intended).

Tell them to deduct the excess from your prize when you win the race next year.

Maybe if this "race" didn't hand out ridiculous amount of money for "largest team" (like what the hell is that about?) and $800 for "best costume" they could afford to pay elites. There are women running in pink tutus in the pictures. What a joke...

This was their mistake and had they been clear about the lower prize amount at any point in their description of prize money, it would not have been worth your while to disrupt your training, travel to and participate in the race.

It was obviously you and the race's mutual understanding that the prize money should be the amount which you initially received.

Also the way that they are threatening and demanding it back is whack.

It is a good opportunity for them to learn from their mistakes. maybe send them a link to how NYRR (or ANY organization) lists prize $

Don't be intimidated by threatening letters from small time attorneys.

Just donate the difference directly to the charity.

I typically would give the money back in a situation like this, but nice guys finish last , so there wouldn't be any money to give.

Just sent this to the race director through the website and would encourage others to do the same, if so inclined

Dear Mr. Nichols,

I admire the great work that you do with the race. Just as a thought- Perhaps your description of prize money could be more accurate and clear. If you check out the way that any other race organizations list prize money, it is always very clear. (See NYRR for instance or even any small race with prize $). It seems the way it is currently listed is not even clear to those affiliated with your race. Perhaps this would help prevent future misunderstandings. As a side note- I don't think that you suing the winning runners for your race's errors will hold up in court.

Recovering Lawyer wrote:

And if it's now a burden on OP financially to return half the prize, I don't blame him for not wanting to nor do I think he has a moral obligation to do so.

I share this opinion and am surprised no one else has noted that this is now a financial burden to the OP. On the rare occasions that I win prize money, I typically put it towards rent, bills, student loans, etc.

The money has been spent. For those calling for him/her to give it back, you don't know the OP's financial situation and are assuming that coming up with $900 a month after spending it should be very easy to do.

To the race or a court it doesn't matter whether it's been spent or not. They don't care. Just need to show that they misled participants and are now attempting to retroactively change the agreed upon amounts

I always assume the race winner needs the money. How many local elites do you know who are rolling in dough? None that I know of. If there is any prize money noted for a race in my area, it is flocked too and well earned by the winner. Shame on the RD for not double checking his website AND the giant check he handed out on race day. The OP has zero legal obligation or moral obligation to hand the money back. I can't believe the posters on here guilting him on here to "do the right thing." The website was clear that the winner would receive $1800. Keep the money. The RD should have a moral obligation of keeping his written word. He effed up and needs to be held accountable.

0000atmeal wrote:

Recovering Lawyer wrote:

And if it's now a burden on OP financially to return half the prize, I don't blame him for not wanting to nor do I think he has a moral obligation to do so.

I share this opinion and am surprised no one else has noted that this is now a financial burden to the OP. On the rare occasions that I win prize money, I typically put it towards rent, bills, student loans, etc.

The money has been spent. For those calling for him/her to give it back, you don't know the OP's financial situation and are assuming that coming up with $900 a month after spending it should be very easy to do.

I'd say you have no obligation to help them. I think small claims court may be an option for the race; it doesn't require a lawyer and big fees that others have brought up. Like others have suggested, meticulously document everything. It'd be great if you could contact the other winners and see if they're also being threatened, and come up with a plan as a group. I think the worst case for you having to waste a few hours in court and eventually having to pay back $900. I doubt a judge would see it that way but no one here really can tell you for sure.

I looked at the website and as far as I can tell there's nothing about it being a not-for-profit business. I found one not so helpful statement: "All proceeds donated back to help SAVE OUR OCEAN!!!" That's pretty vague; it probably doesn't even refer to a specific charity. It's certainly not something anyone can easily track.

Reasons not to pay them back:

1. Lack of accountability to charity or non-profit on their part.

2. As presented to us by you, no apology or explanation of their mistake; instead just demanding and threatening stance from the start.

3. A poorly worded website, though I see the word "Total" prefacing the purses, which in hindsight was meant as $900 each. "10 Mile total prize money: Overall Male & Female"

4. They not only had an oversized check made out for $1800, but had time to fix the mistake before mailing out the check but they didn't.

5. Race director seems to be at least somewhat incompetent and lacking in decency.

Reasons to pay them back:

1. Saves stress from fighting in probable upcoming stupid court case.

2. No long term guilt.

Your call.

Agree 100%. Also worth noting that the people (or person posting under different aliases) saying he should give it back could be affiliated with the race

whichUwhichWorld wrote:

Pay back the half and be done with it. Which world do you want to live in going forward, it's your choice?

I'm glad you feel that way, because I have to tell you that the dollar figure quoted on your job offer was actually supposed to be the amount of money that we have available to pay your whole department, not the amount of money we expected to pay you specifically. I know we've been paying you according to that original figure, but we're going to have to ask for the money back at this point. Thanks!

Why does the morality burden fall on the runner in this case? How is it the "right thing" when a mistake was allegedly made by the race organizers? It would be a nice thing to do, but I don't think "right" or "moral" are words that apply here. The right and moral thing is for the race organizers to pay what they advertised. Now, if it had been clearly advertised as $900 (website, big check, etc.) and they accidentally sent a check for more, then I think right and moral would fall on the runner. He would be clearly taking advantage, knowing the intent was for him to be paid less than he received. I also gave up trying to find out what charity this race supposedly benefits.

rojo wrote:

Will you do 'the right thing' is the question?.

Split the difference with them and call it good. You got 25% you aren't entitled to, you don't have to get into a chest puffing match with a charity, and they cut their losses without going to court. done and done.

the answer2 wrote:

Split the difference with them and call it good. You got 25% you aren't entitled to, you don't have to get into a chest puffing match with a charity, and they cut their losses without going to court. done and done.

He didn't get any money he wasn't entitled to.

The dispute isn't with the charity. The dispute is with the race director.

The money is just going to come out of the proceeds that would go to the charity, right?

There are battles in life worth fighting, this isn't one, IMO.

so, why did you steal it in the first place?

The right thing to do is pay it back. That's what I'd do. Offer to pay it back in small amounts you can afford over time. Or, if you really can't come up with any cash, ask if you can volunteer or something to offset what they want back.

My guess is that the race didn't make enough money or something on the race, and the race director is using the ambiguous nature of how they listed the prize money as an excuse to claw back some of that money. I mean, they gave you a fake giant check with the wrong amount on it...right...

Still, I'd be bothered having this hanging over me, so I'd just pay it back to get rid of that stress.