"Pro" Runners on this board - income from running?

Well, I work at a running shoe store, who reimburses its employees for race entry fees. I am decent, 1:12 half, 15:00 5k, etc., but I can win a lot of small local races. Since I don't pay to race, I keep all the money. Usually around $1000 a year. No intentions of quitting my day job though:)

The best I've heard of is $40k+ from road winnings. But that was from racing just about every weekend (many times both Saturday and Sunday) and picking the right ones (money available, time bonuses, level of expected competition, etc).

Unless you're someone like Paula Radcliffe (and I assume that you're not), marathons aren't going to be lucrative relative to what it takes out of you. Even a bullshit maratjon with $1000 will be won in 2:30 or better (guys), and even 5:40+ pace on the roads for 2.5hrs is a lot for just $1000. Better to go for 5k-halves.

This is where our sport can open up more opportunities.

Appearance fees seem to be very high for the very best runners. What if appearance fees were reduced and prize money was increased, both for the top finishers and going deeper into the field. Kind of like golf and tennis.

Take London this year. Their appearance fee budget must be unreal. Lower appearance fees and put that money into prize money. A 2:20 guy can be dragged along to a faster time and pick up money to support his pursuit of being world class.

This would have to be an agreement between the athletes/agents and race directors. Maybe there could be set fees for Olympic Champions, World Champions, World Record Holders, and then along a time scale.

Bad idea. Not every Olympic Medalist is worth the same. Some guys are great with the press and sponsors and others are horrible. There is a lot more to appearance dollars than simply running the race.