Carlsbad 5000---Into the Hall of Shame

do they know who you are wrote:

worse than that, they turned down the great Henry Rono who wanted to run that race this year, too.

Yeah, he probably didn't have the $50.

really? wrote:

I agree wrote:

Does anyone know if this race is under new management?

Elite was recently sold, which could explain the new prices.

http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2008/01/elite-racing-sold-to-falconhead-capital/

From what I am seeing and hearing about Falconhead, I am not impressed. I know that they are a business, but their vision does not make sense to me. They should stick to Tri's.

14:105kguy wrote:

The race is not that great/fast to run, but to watch it is. It's not a fast course. The only reason people(the people who have never run the course) think that it's becasue they bring the fasts runners in the world together. Fck-anytime you put fast runners on the same line something speacial happens. $50 is not worth it. Use it on a case of beer for the final 4.

really? I thought that it MUST be a super fast and flat/downhill course, due to the fast times.

Signed up early for $32! Nice!

Hey you sell you slot on E-bay and make a profit....

Nevermind.

Any smart capitalist would see the opportunity to profit from these outrageous post-registration fees...

You should go to the next town over and start a different 5k race on the same day called the "CarlsGOOD 5K" and only charge $15 pre- and $20 post-registration fees. Maybe you'll get 1,000 disenfranchised racers like yourself to show up and make a nice profit on it at the same time...

putting on a race with 15 dollar fees, and have any hope of even breaking even...Carlsbad is one of the best races in this country, great races, great perks, and wonderful elite race......register early, and you'll have no troubles.

There's plenty of po-dunk races that cost $40 or $50 (granted, they are usually HMs or 25ks). How else is Carlsbad going to get Webb & company to show up? He certainly won't jump in the local "fun run" for a tune-up race. Plus, think how hard it is for a meet director at a big road race to figure out how much stuff to order? Because of people who don't register until right before the race, they have no idea exactly how many bibs they'll need, how many chips, or how many cases of bottled water for after the race to order. That extra cost probably covers the extra supplies they have to order because of late registrants.

Amen to your comments! I have run the Carlsbad 5000 for the last seven years. Up to now, I have never had a problem with registration on the day of the race. I agree..the $50 fee is much higher than previous years.

However today, I arrived at 6 am and was confronted with a long line that serpentined around the entire block and all because their chip computers were not working or the staff was inexperienced..whatever. Due to this, I missed the 7:00am 40+ race. I have never been confronted with such disorganization. As a result of this, I will never be entering this race again. That is unfortunate, as I see this event as a contributor to worthy causes.

Fred Bartlett wrote:

...inexperienced...whatever...I have never been confronted with such disorganization.

In other words, you are frustrated by people who are a bit too naive and unorganized. For example, these same people might go onto an Internet message board and create a trio of identical posts within the same thread less than three minutes apart, right?

People who live in glass houses...

Run smaller races. I have never understood why any runner would go to so much trouble to run these trendy big races and go through all the hassle.

If you do go, expect hassle.

So, following your logic, the Olympics would be meaningless because the best athletes compete against each other. They should all compete solo, maybe that would work better for your criteria.

14:105kguy wrote:

The race is not that great/fast to run, but to watch it is. It's not a fast course. The only reason people(the people who have never run the course) think that it's becasue they bring the fasts runners in the world together. Fck-anytime you put fast runners on the same line something speacial happens. $50 is not worth it. Use it on a case of beer for the final 4.

Just talking about this with some fellow runners today, in regards to race fees getting out of control. I agree, it's what the market can handle. What's the difference in a $60 entry fee and $110 when you're already putting out $1000 overall to bring your family to a marathon vacation? I am all for people being active, but the way these races are being handled nowadays (especially marathons) are more of a business. My arguement is why try to get every penny out of each person, when they are already bringing in plenty of business for the local economy (restaurants, hotels, souvenirs,etc). I think it has really brought the prestige down in a lot of these races (esp when Boston comes to mind, but that's a whole other case). Personally I'm getting fed up with it and I envision a split in the running community...one side for the more recreational runners who will pay the fees (there definitely isn't a lack of those) and those who will go to and put on low key races with few amenities and low entry fees. I participated in a race today $3 entry fee 10k, pick your own prize (all donated) and pot-luck food. It was a small, but great event in my mind. I know there are areas that do this often, but I haven't seen it around since I left the Pittsburgh area (S. Mark Courtney/Runners high puts on many of these type of event, as well as larger ones) What other areas in this great country and world seem to be doing this?

cutter wrote:

"Same laws apply with gasoline and oil."

Not really. Market prices for gas and oil are very strongly influenced by government controls and social policy. That's why gas costs so much more in Europe -- they're much more committed to a social policy that encourages conservation.

Like I said before, road racing isn't a good candidate for market interventions, so pay up, shut up, or start your own race.

Uhhh No, that is not why gas cost so much more in Europe. Europe produces NO oil, the US does.

They do give you the option to register a year a head of time for $25...you should take advantage of that.

ever been to Bermuda and tried to register on race day.

LOL! You must be a Dubai sheik to afford it.

[quote]Provoking wrote:

....in California now scr*w the runners with high registration fees.....quote]

It's a good thing you didn't spell out your whole cuss word. I, for one, would be pissed!

ATTENTION OP -

I have a solution to stop all your whining...... DON'T WAIT TILL RACE DAY TO REGISTER AT A BIG TIME ROAD RACE

I'll help you out for next year.....

http://www.eliteracing.com/carlsbad/register/register_online/individual.html

flyinghighrunner wrote:

My arguement is why try to get every penny out of each person, when they are already bringing in plenty of business for the local economy (restaurants, hotels, souvenirs,etc).

Yes, that's a great attitude for businessmen to have. "Well, I'm losing money on putting on this race, but I know Best Western and the Olive Garden down the street are making some great cash, so it's all good!"