High Bucks-to-Mile = Low Runner-Return

High Bucks-to-Mile = Low Runner-Return 

Is it only me or do you also believe race entry fees increased without any real justification or benefit to the runner?  I recently ran in two events sponsored by Tejas Trails.  To be honest I think an early entry fee of $80/70/50 for a trail 50K/25K/10K is excessive (add another $20 for late entry fees).  If the fee covered some decent swag then maybe the millage would be justified.  Turns out I was wrong.

Maybe there are not any other fees?  Wrong.  In addition to the “Registration Fee” the Tejas Trails events also tacked on a few other fees.  When you arrive you get to pay the Private Owner’s daily use fee of $10/person – even if you are a spectator and not running.  You also get to buy your own food pre/post race.  Does anyone reading this really think a 10K trail run should cost $60 plus food?

Maybe the race aide stations will be every 2 miles?  Wrong.  You still need to carry your own hydration system.  While I’m at it, I’m growing very tired of hearing race directors for trail races state, “Aide stations are limited – after all it is a trail race and you should be self sufficient.”  Personally, that sentiment by trail running gray-hairs is bull shit.  Participation in trail running events over the past few years has soared.  Race directors need to recognize that many unprepared participants will attempt to complete the race and compensate with more frequently placed manned and unmanned aide stations.

The swag was really great?  Wrong.  Ill fitting cheap-o tech shirts with sponsor advertising all over the back.  There were nicer shirts for sale if you wanted one.  No finisher hat, shirt, mug, nothing.  Wait, I did get a generic finishers medal.  The same one that is handed out every year for every event distance.         

I bet the post race cookout and beer was fun?  Wrong.  Hungry-I hope you brought cash.  Thirsty- I hope you like BYOB (which I typically do anyway).  Ever do a Rock-N-Roll event?  How did you like buying the $5 cans of MichUltra (aka-water) when you finished?

At least some of the millage went to charity?  Wrong.  If it did, I was certainly not aware of the charity.

I understand that without race directors we would all be forced to find places to run on our own.  Imagine groups of people getting together to run on public and private lands all over the U.S. for a few bucks each.  In many ways race directors have a thankless job.  That said, there ought to be a bucks-to-mileage ratio of some sort.  As for me, I believe high dollar events should provide more runner amenities.  Too many times I find that as the fees go up the overall attention to the runner goes down.   I’ve done some recent non-Tejas events that cost a third to half less and been amazed by the attention the runners receive.  Pre-race meals, nice tech shirts, loot in the race pick-up bags, random door prizes, lots of portapotties, finisher apparel, post race meals, and beer. 

So how is it one organization/group is able to fully support their runners for 40 bucks while other organizers can’t seem to be minimally attentive for a 100 bucks?  When did running events become more about the take at the end of the day and less about the runner?  Why do I/we continue to support organizers that over-charge runners that participate in their events?   What is a fair price and why? 

It’s time to boycott organizers with a high bucks-to-mile ratio and a low runner return.