Is it wrong to run in road races if you don't pay the entry fee?

Another sidenote, most races are run as some kind of benefit or to raise money for charity, not JUST for the sake of a race....so maybe its a tad immoral to just go take advantage of the meet without contributing monetarily.

You are morally stealing from your competitors out there who have paid to race, you can time trial on a track, what you want is to race and have others to push you. Join a running club or hit the track. What happens to the legit racer who thinks he is 3rd, you pass, and he mentally gives up or expends effort keeping with you. Or the age-grouper same deal. For $20 bucks you'll steal or screw with someone else's target race ??? You are cheap and dirty.

Is it "stealing" for athletes to use the clear ??? Yes it impacts the integrity of the race, your banditing does the same to the race itself, that is the best reason for you to pony up $20 for your mentally lazy cheap morally corrupt mug.

Used to be athletics built character, you must have missed out on that.

I never raced without paying.

Once someone does it more will run bandits...then some a hole goes thru the chutes and messes up times for all who paid.

I had a person do this once and I gave then s..t, he said he didn't have any money...I offered to let him help with the race for a hour before or after and I would let him run free. He refused the offer.

I bet if you didn't have the money to pay tor race...offer to help and see if the race director will give you a free entry...don't expect a t-shirt.

I try to run races that think of the runners first and not some event to raise money for a cause.

If you don't support the race don't run it.

If you want to run it - PAY!!

Sure it's OK to run w/o paying.

You and the 500-1000 other people running 17 min or slower aren't really racing and don't intend to take any prize money.

I say none of you should pay.

this is the dumbest thread ever. it is perfectly fine to run without paying, as long as you don't go through the chute and eat all the shit after the race. i only pay for races to get the t-shirt and to eat. there is nothing wrong with it. get the sticks out of your asses and lighten up. it happens and people will always do it.

luv2run wrote:

Surprise! wrote:

Of course it's ok. We've all done it. Only with the advent of the internet has it become scandalous.

Don't throw out the "we have all done it" bullshit. I have NEVER bandited a race. So try another argument.

I stand humbled under the gaze of your grace and righteousness.

"theft of services"

Surprise! wrote:

Of course it's ok. We've all done it. Only with the advent of the internet has it become scandalous.

Bull-$#!+. I've never bandited a race. If I go to a run with the intent of running, I register and put a number on. I don't even try to bandit when my wife races; I'll stand on the curb, (try to) take photos and encourage my wife and my teammates.

Is banditing theft? Depends on your definition. Refer back to my first post. There are race directors who will tell you that 'stupid' bandits (those who run on the course, drink the water and run through the chute) play havoc with the (relatively) smooth operation of local races.

Let's get it over with and make 'stupid' banditing a capital offense. Shoot them if they run through the chute.

are you people just cheap?

filthy white inbred

Put on a race where you have to pay the police, insurance, perade permit, ect and let everyone run free....see long your race is around.

No matter if you are running for an award, fitness or fun Pay the entry fee or don't run. If you don't you are a cheat and hurt the sport of running...

another race director wrote:

In many cases race directors and races pay to use the streets for their event (parade permit, insurance, police, ect).

exactly right. there's no way to distinguish from going onto a golf course or sneaking into a movie theater. the race has paid to "rent" the street. you're going onto their leasehold and using it without paying. the least you could do is give the race director a few bucks. after all, you're going to the race for your "time trial" because you want to be in a race type situation with a closed, measured course and people to race. the least you could do is give a few bucks to pay for the race director organizing this for your benefit.

Fuzzy the Bandit, filthy white inbred, - Cheap bastards..

Give up the sport of running and find one where everyone else is as cheap like you guys

not so cheap wrote:

Fuzzy the Bandit, filthy white inbred, - Cheap bastards..

Give up the sport of running and find one where everyone else is as cheap like you guys

i'm very cheap and i see nothing wrong with it. just don't tell me to give up the sport of running because i love it more than you do.

I love my sport so much...it is not a question should I pay to run a road race...I know the answer is YES.

I have also helped coached, directed road races, served as preident of my local running lcub and have been running and racing for 30 years.

Yes, if you guys are too cheap to pay to run races...STAY AT HOME!!

OK maybe you shouldn't give up the sport....Just don't cheat the sport by running races without paying...

from now on i will never pay for a road race again thanks to this thread, thanks for making my life-long decision even easier.

that's one of the dumbest statments ever made.

congrats on your momumental desicion you idiot.

dyindusrunsrxt wrote:

that's one of the dumbest statments ever made.

congrats on your momumental desicion you idiot.

thanks, buddy. i hope you die in a horrific car crash.

I believe in paying the entry fees. The sport needs to be nourished as well as the race directors and volunteers. If you don't think the entry fee is worth it, pick another race. Or if you don't have any money, call some running buddies and race the same route at another time. If you don't have any running buddies, get out and socialize. Maybe you can find somebody to ride a bike along side you. Maybe that homeless guy would help you out. If you're still not happy, pick another sport.

so you are saying that if i am stuggling financially and have poor social skills that i should give up the sport of running? that's a shitty thing to say you whore