The Truff of da Matter wrote:
I am pretty much done with running these days, but really hate the charity crap, and all of that. Ahh, thinking back to the days when beer companies were major sponsors, entry fees were $5 - $10, people raced to race, and not for some charity or run for xyz. I finished my running "career" doing trail races - no charity types there, mud and stream / river crossings in the winter keep the wusses away. After doing trail races for a few years, I did a local half marathon for training and to gauge my fitness. I was really turned off by the carnival atmosphere, fuel belts, head phones, Under Amour, fatties, cell phones, etc. If I do return to running it will be in difficult trail races and cross country races that keep the riff raff away.
Move up to the northernmost state. That's still how it is. The most I've paid for a race here is $8, and that's only when I forget to pre-register.
Every race is a runner's race, people of all speeds show up but there aren't any pussies.