cost to race

dadcoach wrote:

...Why don't more coaches do more for the love of the sport instead of for money?...

How much do you think we make coaching? Do you think there are any coaches out there who do this primarily for the money, as opposed to the fact that we love the sport?

Look, I am not talking about every coach. I realize that some coaches don't make a ton of money. I have coached for many years and not made a dime. It was more directed to the local coaches or race sponsors. How about the college who is charging 375.00 dollars for three or four day camps? There might be an place for those, but what about the kids and family’s that can't afford it? Can't these camps even if they are 1 day camps be a little less? Doesn't everybody want to see every kid with interest or potential get a chance? The average club in my area is about 150.00 and up. Gas back and forth is the biggest cost. It would be nice if there were more races for kids that were not 25 to 35 plus gas to get there.

dadcoach wrote:

How about the college who is charging 375.00 dollars for three or four day camps? There might be an place for those, but what about the kids and family’s that can't afford it?

What does a week of day care cost?

dadcoach wrote:

...some coaches don't make a ton of money...How about the college who is charging 375.00 dollars for three or four day camps? There might be an place for those, but what about the kids and family’s that can't afford it?...It would be nice if there were more races for kids that were not 25 to 35 plus gas to get there.

"Some"? How about "most"? There are a lot of good reasons to coach runners, the salary is not too often one of them.

Re: camp prices... Depending on what the camp provides, $375 could be a bargain or it could be completely overpriced. My college doesn't have a running camp, but I'm looking the prices of the other sports camps we have...$395 for 5 days (overnight rate, $315 for commuters). These camps pretty much all sell out, which tells me they're underpriced.

As for race prices, I see $30 5k's and I see $5 5k's on our local calendar. Your area may be different. I produce races, and I'm always willing to give comp entries to runners who are willing to volunteer their time at one of my races. You would be surprised at how many racers who complain about high entry fees become "too busy" when you ask them to help out, even with the offer for a comp entry in play. Certainly not everyone, but seems like the ones who complain the most have the most excuses when you give them the option.

Or you can always start your own races, right? Seriously, why not. No entry fees for your kids, no gas to travel, what a deal!

Well actually that is sometimes true. What about if you are way above the talent of their area or school? Kids sometimes go the way opportunity leads them. I read all this talk on here about USA runners not being competitive. I am thinking we have more talent and kids with ability then we realize. I am not trying to brag but sometimes when my kid runs people are shocked. I know that other kids out there can run. If UCTC can do it why not more? Why not have open races for minimal cost and some coaching as well? Try to establish someway for better talent and hard working kids to get seen and develop.

Having raised 2 sons who played basketball and soccer respectively, running has to be one of the cheaper sports for your kids to do. Equipment is minimal, school teams are very affordable if not free, and here in Northern California there are lots of cheap races/all-comers meets -- not the case with basketball or soccer. (The Los Gatos all-comers meets with FAT timing are 6 bucks and the Lake Merritt 4th Sunday races are free for 13 and under, 3 for members and 5 for non-members)

Getting coaching is a possible expense, but I think some networking and research on clubs would reap you some affordable options for a talented runner.

If you can say, "Why don't more coaches do more for the love of the sport instead of for money?", I can say, "I've never met a coach in it for the money."

Two things I learned from being a parent of a child athlete:

1) Early athletic ability is not enough: The child has to want to excel and put in the work -- the parent and coach cannot provide the will. Proceed with care.

2) If you child is talented and exhibits that talent, people will find your child.

Best of luck to you and your child.

Right now we need races. I look at all the races within 100 miles of our home. There have been two under twenty dollars. I have never heard any race director announce that comps would be given to runners who help, I would do it for free every time. The runners paying 395.00 to go to camp is really probably the few as opposed to the mass. Running is not cheaper than basketball as we have done that, softball,baseball,wrestling,soccer,volleyball and swimming. I'm sorry if I’m not getting the point across. This is less about me or my kids, it is about what I suspect is happening out there. If I have to think and plan where to run, what about others? Yes, I could start some race I suppose, what about others? Can't some of these other directors and clubs have more obtainable runs and races for some of the kids and family’s without the money for the 395.00 camps?

The school doesn't have an track or cross country team. Trying to get some experience in preparation for some big races. Such as Nike and Footlocker. Since it seems hard to find affordable races for my kid, thought other kids might have same problem. I didn't know all the people on here have plenty of money and it wasn't a problem.