Where do these race directors get off charging 65 dollars for a road 5K?

No one is forcing you to run expensive races. There are plenty of cheaper options. Most road races aren't that expensive. Many college meets accept unattached runners with minimal or no entry fee. There are all-comer track meets all over the place.

Are you just looking for something to complain about? Instead of running in a cheap race, you're seeking out expensive races and then complaining about the price.

EXPENSIVE RACE'S ARE DESTROYING THE SPORT.

There have been some articles in RW or RT the last few years on the increase in costs to put on races. On top of that, some events (like the Color Run) are "for profit" and allow charities to volunteer and get some proceeds. Others that are are on a "non-profit" model can charge extra to give more money to their charity or put on a bigger event with live music, catered food, and lots of other extras.

This is why parkrun (www.parkrun.com) can be so successful in the USA, although the 'look at me and my finisher medal' does not apply.

Don't Pay and Don't Run---like anything if someone charges something, people don't have to pay for it.

But if they do pay for it--oh well

What others have said. Don't run it. There are plenty of cheaper races. I never pay more than 25 bucks for a 5k. 65 dollars is a half marathon/low key marathon price, as far as i'm concerned.

let's face it: enough people are willing to pay upwards of $30 for 5k's that all this is creeping up rapidly. In San Francisco, there's a Lake Merced racing series for about $1 or $2 per race with decent comp and no traffic issues. The fee is what the City charges for parking at the start. They also typically provide something to drink and brownies or cookies as well. Do not tell me that it is a good thing for our road races to be run for profit. The most expensive ones often don't even have any prize money.

It's capitalism are you against it?

Carl Spackler wrote:

There have been some articles in RW or RT the last few years on the increase in costs to put on races. On top of that, some events (like the Color Run) are "for profit" and allow charities to volunteer and get some proceeds. Others that are are on a "non-profit" model can charge extra to give more money to their charity or put on a bigger event with live music, catered food, and lots of other extras.

I recall reading a large feature story in RW about said entry fee increases. They broke it down into a pie-chart, with a large percentage of entry fees going to "administrative fees", or somesuch. The chart was useless. What I want to know, is what part of that $65 goes straight into the RD's pocket, Marketing Director, post-race coordinator, etc. Someone is making good money off of these races.

Is there a particular race that the OP is referring to?

I have a hard time believing that the increase in city permit and employee costs, are the sole reason for the increase in many race fees that has taken place recently. Also, I am curious, does anyone know the minimum obligation that a non-profit race is required to give to their beneficiary organization? If it's a small percentage, like 5%, then charity races can rake in lots of cash while relying on a largely volunteer workforce. I know that in my area, local college students can log "community service" hours when they volunteer for local charity races. That's hundreds of hours of free labor for the race director, depending on the scope and length of the race.

I've seen a lot of small non-profits get out of the fun run 5k fundraiser business because of new rules and regulations.

In the old days you could put on an out and back 5k for 100 people and your group earns a thousand dollars.

Personally I saw races die because to get a street permit you were required to hire off duty police to monitor the roads and the route. How much? Each cop was $40 an hour for a 4 hour minimum. That's right! One cop $160.

A small race you think with less than 200 runners maybe two cops. Think again. To be okayed for the street permit they had to hire SIX cops! At $160 per peace officer, you do the math. One was to lead the race, one was the follow-up sweeper and four had to be positioned at intersections along the course which was roughly a mile and a half out and back course. No matter that the last participant walked through the course in a little over an hour you couldn't just hire this police protection for one hour or two, but the 4 hour minimum. No pay, no permit.

Others I know have gotten creative and moved races to military bases where the local cops don't have any jurisdiction or off road on trails of private farms and ranches.

Maybe if you had a large, private gated community that had their own security and rules you could have a road race, but it couldn't get large enough to be profitable and usually you have to deal with speed bumps.

I have seen some small races relegated to the sidewalk or grass perimeter of parks to bypass the pay the police or no permit rule.

Just one man's horror story.

What's yours?

In most road races today, you're paying for a shirt, aid stations, live music and all kinds of other crap that serious runners don't care about. Hobby joggers are actually getting a decent value for their money.

I only run in 5s that are $15 or less. And a 3-hr timed race for $45, plus a 15.5 trail for $45. The latter two have useful aid. OK, here's a simple solution: move 5s off the streets and make them cross events in parks. No cops, little overhead. These expensive urban road races are for neo-runners who don't train but want to view themselves as runners. That's most race participants these days.

I was scanning for a 5k this weekend and was surprised to see many of them were $35. That's robbery. I wont pay it even though I have plenty of money.

It's unfortunate that people are paying that kind of money. It's driving the costs up. Resist!

Now you've got me started. Have you noticed also that you get less for the increased cost. Courses aren't measured as well anymore. Mile markers are just thrown out there wherever they land. The after race food is not as good. Sad really. I remember paying less that $10 for many races with a nice hot meal and a free beer after the race. Where have the good races gone?

hobby joggers are destroying the sport

we need to stop celebrating participation

The venture capital mentality in road race fees is barfsome.

Don't race the expensive races! Vote with your $$. An RD near me puts on a weekly 5k XC series during the summer. Races every Wednesday night for $5. No crappy swag. Just accurate timing on a certified course and plenty of cold brews afterwards.

Someone trying to make a living or at least supplementing income.

Simple: do not pay the fee. Find cheaper races.

The cost of races has cut down on the number I do in a year.

That said, a lot of work goes into putting on a race. It is not like a guy just posts it Active.com and then shows up the morning of the race. Let's see what does a RD do?

Sponsorship (offsets that entry fee)

Get permits (even a park needs permits to the best of my knowledge)

Layout the course

Measure and mark it

Design logo

T shirt

Insurance

Road closures and other requirements as needed

Market/publicize the event

Find people to volunteer

Hire timing company (or do it yourself--few do though)

Insurance

Order awards