Hard work and dedication pay off for Minnesotans running the women's Olympic Marathon Trials race in April.
Not long ago, just before I threw that box out, it dawned on me just how much money I’ve invested in racing over the years.
Nutrition tactics that may help make your next marathon your fastest 26.2 miles yet.
When I first started
running, I saved all of my race bibs. I attached them together using the pins
from the races and had enough banners to completely cover both of my closet
doors. After I got married, I kept them in a box in the basement. Not long ago,
just before I threw that box out, it dawned on me just how much money I’ve
invested in racing over the years.
Curious, I did a quick scan of our Quicken data. In 2000, I paid $35 to run a spring marathon and $50 to run a fall marathon. Today’s race fees for the same events are double that: $75 and $95, respectively. That doesn’t include any online registration fees the races might have. And it’s not just marathons. A number of races have increased their entry fees close to 100 percent over those eight years.
I understand that prices
will go up over time; inflation is natural. It’s just that I can’t think of
many other things I bought in 2000 that have since doubled in price. With more
people participating in races and more new races every year, you’d think the
economics of choice would drive prices down—or at least keep them the same.
What gives?
Most of the time, it’s not
the races that are gaining financially from the increase in prices. In many
cases the increases are the result of giving us what we want, like convenience.
Online registration has made event registration quicker and easier. You’d
think, though, that automating registration would benefit the athlete’s
pocketbook since no one has to manually enter data. Not so. Another factor
affecting race fees is the quality of gear given out to participants. Our
expectations have changed, haven’t they? Most of us don’t need any more cotton
T-shirts. Now we look for performance shirts and jackets that cost more than a
standard T-shirt. Kudos to races that don’t require we buy anything but a good
race experience.
A recent increase in
Minneapolis parkland rental fees will likely make matters worse. The
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board increased fees charged to race organizers
beginning this year. In the past, fees only applied to equipment, park police
and the like. A new charge now applies to the use of the land itself. Some
races will be required to pay up to $20,000, depending on how much parkland
they are using. Ultimately, the participants will foot the bill in the form of
increased entry fees. The charities that benefit from the events will suffer,
too.
You have to decide if it’s
worth your money to race this summer. For me, it is. But I know I’ll be more
selective as race fees continue to go up. Maybe look for races that don’t
require that I “buy” anything but the experience (and hopefully a PR). Running
is supposed to be simple, right? Keep in mind that race organization and
coordination is not as simple as setting up a couple of cones and closing off
the road. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes. If you are feeling the
pain of rising entry fees in your budget, then volunteer for a race. Get a feel
for what goes on behind the scenes. There is always a way to participate, even
if you can’t write a check for as many races this year.
Laurie Kocanda, laurie@twincitiessports.com
| Comments |
|
