Boston Marathon: $180

i am party · September 18, 2015, 02:11:30 PM

I'll pass for Spring 2016. I won a free entry to the 2016 Vermont-City Marathon in a raffle at the 2015 Vermont City Marathon. I think I'll use that.

merigayle · September 18, 2015, 06:01:00 PM

Isn't NYC closer to $300?

I just ran a 100 mile race and it was $175 (this was last minute reg, earlier registration was $145 i think), so $1.75/mile. Boston Marathon $6.92/mile.

Just googled, NYC is $255 for US residents. $9.80/mile.

BUT then you get these pricey 5Ks and that is the WORST!!!! $15+/mile

witchypoo · September 18, 2015, 06:52:10 PM

ridiculous

Ice Cream · September 18, 2015, 07:28:21 PM

I like small, low-key events.

That's why people bandit big races.

merigayle · September 18, 2015, 07:29:59 PM

I think the most ridiculous part is we have seen races double and triple in price in <10 years. I ran the JFK50 a few years in a row and one year they doubled the entry fee. Um, the race sucks anyways, no way. Never thought about returning. But it was one of those iconic races like the Boston marathon.

Fast Eddie · September 18, 2015, 08:15:04 PM

Extra hurt for your northern neighbours to do Amerikun races as the Loonie is at 75¢ to the U.S. greenback. Closer to 70¢ with the consumer exchange rate at the bank.

Ice Cream · September 19, 2015, 08:05:44 AM

Almost every race I do in Europe, up to half marathon distance, and there are usually 200+ participants, is under ten Euros, i.e., 12 USD max. athletic clubs are subsidized by the government. Tax dollars at work.
I usually come back home with a loaf of bread or a pie or something similar. They do not bother with T-shirts, etc. My kind of race.

Arrojo · September 19, 2015, 11:31:31 AM

Quote from: merigayle on September 18, 2015, 06:01:00 PM
Isn't NYC closer to $300?

I just ran a 100 mile race and it was $175 (this was last minute reg, earlier registration was $145 i think), so $1.75/mile. Boston Marathon $6.92/mile.

Just googled, NYC is $255 for US residents. $9.80/mile.

BUT then you get these pricey 5Ks and that is the WORST!!!! $15+/mile

5K's are not the worst. It costs $30 to run the 100 meter dash at most Senior Games. That's $483 per mile. And no water stops. Just saying.

the kenyan · September 19, 2015, 11:55:40 AM

I actually thought it was more. They could charge a hell of a lot more and people would still come out in droves. That's why they get to charge $200+ for the Disney princess half marathon.

One of these days I'm going to bandit again!

merigayle · September 19, 2015, 12:06:03 PM

Quote from: Arrojo on September 19, 2015, 11:31:31 AM
5K's are not the worst. It costs $30 to run the 100 meter dash at most Senior Games. That's $483 per mile. And no water stops. Just saying.

Mom of Scooby · September 20, 2015, 06:57:36 PM

Quote from: merigayle on September 18, 2015, 06:01:00 PM
Isn't NYC closer to $300?

I just ran a 100 mile race and it was $175 (this was last minute reg, earlier registration was $145 i think), so $1.75/mile. Boston Marathon $6.92/mile.

Just googled, NYC is $255 for US residents. $9.80/mile.

BUT then you get these pricey 5Ks and that is the WORST!!!! $15+/mile

New York was awesome... I don't regret the $255 at all.. And I'm wicked chesp

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merigayle · September 20, 2015, 07:21:25 PM

Badwater was $900. $6.67/mile

Ice Cream · September 21, 2015, 07:33:23 AM

Quote from: Mom of Scooby on September 20, 2015, 06:57:36 PM
New York was awesome... I don't regret the $255 at all.. And I'm wicked chesp

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I agree. Did it twice, in 1999 and 2000. I bet it is now so crowded that you are not running your own race, but it's a great experience.

merigayle · September 21, 2015, 09:49:10 AM

Experiences are priceless and if you have the means to pay, then do and enjoy. My beef is just the huge surge in prices over the past 5-10 years, just doubling and tripling of race entry fees.

cgraz · September 21, 2015, 10:02:12 AM

Quote from: merigayle on September 21, 2015, 09:49:10 AM
Experiences are priceless and if you have the means to pay, then do and enjoy. My beef is just the huge surge in prices over the past 5-10 years, just doubling and tripling of race entry fees.

True, and the schwag (and schwag expectations) have also risen exponentially...runners complain if there isn't a blinged-out medal for everyone, even in small local races. And no one's happy with a nice cotton tee, got to have a gender-specific tech-tee. I'm guilty of that, admittedly - but only at races where I really have paid a premium. If you can't give me a tee I can wear, I'd rather not even. (Pint glasses are one size fits all, and my new favorite thing if there is schwag - which I do not require, for sure.) But which came first? The prices going up to pimp things out, or the expectation/need to pimp things out? It seems like with the over saturation of events, the opposite should happen - prices should fall, as demand levels out and there is more competition for participants.

I'd pay a high price for Boston, but that would be a peak experience for me, and not one I'd be able to have multiple times or come to easily, probably...so it would be worth it.

Triathlons are even worse, when it comes to registration fees, but if you're in the loop with local RDs, you can get in on early registration or club discounts. Still, they are pricey, even for small local sprints. I can see that with higher race costs in terms of course support, etc. but it also means I'll never do a sprint as a relay because it would essentially be a $100+ 5K. Nope.

merigayle · September 21, 2015, 07:16:55 PM

I could care less about schwag. Not to say I do not enjoy a great race tee, but I would prefer cheaper race fees and an option to buy a shirt if i want.

Ice Cream · September 22, 2015, 07:17:15 AM

schwag bothers me, too, because it's all junk that gets thrown out. I have enough technical T-shirts. No need for an extra one, and if I get the option to buy one, I can decline.

I have been to races where I could buy the race T-shirt at discount after the event was over.

FWIW: I was in TJMaxx over the weekend and saw the 2015 Boston Marathon jacket, by adidas, for $39.99.
I have a Boston marathon tank top from a few years ago that I bought there, too.

cgraz · September 22, 2015, 07:32:54 AM

Opting in for a tee, with a lower registration fee without one, would be great.

Quote from: merigayle on September 21, 2015, 07:16:55 PM
I could care less about schwag. Not to say I do not enjoy a great race tee, but I would prefer cheaper race fees and an option to buy a shirt if i want.

Mom of Scooby · September 22, 2015, 08:30:59 PM

Quote from: Ice Cream on September 22, 2015, 07:17:15 AM
schwag bothers me, too, because it's all junk that gets thrown out. I have enough technical T-shirts. No need for an extra one, and if I get the option to buy one, I can decline.

I have been to races where I could buy the race T-shirt at discount after the event was over.

FWIW: I was in TJMaxx over the weekend and saw the 2015 Boston Marathon jacket, by adidas, for $39.99.
I have a Boston marathon tank top from a few years ago that I bought there, too.

I don't think I would wear a boston marathon jacket if I hadn't run the race..

The last three races I ran gave great stuff... Not that I care, but the love run gave an awesome coffee mug which I use almost every day and the last two other races both gave beer glasses and one even a growler.. They are all really iseful

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the kenyan · September 22, 2015, 09:36:42 PM

MEDALSMEDALSMEDALS! We hang the ones obtained during the year on our christmas tree