A fee to pick up bib numbers on race day????

[Chris the Wheeler]

So, Amy and I are trying to encourage my sister to begin and active lifestyle.  In other words, to get her fat ass off the couch and do something...anything.... 

So my sister brings up one of these stupid color races.   It's called the Foam Glow 5k.  We said we would do it with her, so she agreed.  It was already $30. each for registration.  So, we are down 60 bucks already.   We then get this email with race "week" details.  They are holding number pick up on Thursday and Friday during the day.  You know, when people are working. Oh, you can pick up at the race, but it's a $5.00 person fee (cash only).  Then it's a $10. fee to park at the event.    Who do these people think they are?  The BAA? 

BTW, Amy & I are betting my sister drops out before finishing the first 1k.

[McG]

You just lost about 2/3 of your readers with your fat ass comment and calling the race stupid.

[Chris the Wheeler]

You just lost about 2/3 of your readers with your fat ass comment and calling the race stupid.

Just speaking truth to justice.

Should I have used extra large backside?  And this isn't even really a race.  Just a bunch of people running through glow in the dark foam.  How is that not stupid?

[srsly]

You just lost about 2/3 of your readers with your fat ass comment and calling the race stupid.

Yeah, Chris. Not cool. As for picking up the race bib on the day of the race, it takes manpower to deal with late comers. I for one would pay $5 if I have no other time to pick up my packet. Good for them for offering the option.

[crazypants]

You MUST be bored, brother.

[buzzy]

Yeah, Chris. Not cool. As for picking up the race bib on the day of the race, it takes manpower to deal with late comers. I for one would pay $5 if I have no other time to pick up my packet. Good for them for offering the option.

I have never paid an extra fee for picking up my number on race day.  I agree it should be part of the fee.  They usually say registration begins a couple of hours before race time.  That's when you pick up these numbers.

--buzz

[Chris the Wheeler]

Yeah, Chris. Not cool. As for picking up the race bib on the day of the race, it takes manpower to deal with late comers. I for one would pay $5 if I have no other time to pick up my packet. Good for them for offering the option.

I've been racing for years.  I've never ever paid for number pick up.  I've directed races.  Yes, it take a couple of volunteers to hand out numbers.    I'm all for capitalism.  As a matter of fact I love it.  But you don't throw all the additional expenses at your customers 7 days before the event and long after they registered.  It should have been announced up front. 

[srsly]

I have never paid an extra fee for picking up my number on race day.  I agree it should be part of the fee.  They usually say registration begins a couple of hours before race time.  That's when you pick up these numbers.

--buzz

We're going through economic hard times. I think it takes $ to accomodate everyone's needs. I have not paid bib pick up in the past either, just because there is a time and place to pick the bib for everyone. Obviously, race day pick up is an inconvenient time for the race organizers to distribute. Why not capitalize on those who couldn't get anyone to pick up their bibs for them when they are available for free?

[srsly]

I've been racing for years.  I've never ever paid for number pick up.  I've directed races.  Yes, it take a couple of volunteers to hand out numbers.    I'm all for capitalism.  As a matter of fact I love it.  But you don't throw all the additional expenses at your customers 7 days before the event and long after they registered.  It should have been announced up front.

Oh, I agree in that case. Perhaos the fee could motivate everyone to pick up the race packets on the day it is free. I hope so.

[Fast Eddie]

Sounds like it is organized by the Evil, Backwards, HoseWater, Rock n Roll Empire.

Buy extra color pack$ to ambush sister when she drops out.

[rocketgirl]

Can your sister not pick up your race packet for you, since the race is in her town?

OR by "during the day", do you mean that they are only running packet pick up until 5 pm, and your sister couldn't get there either?  IN my area, they would go to at least 7 pm for a small race.  Large races have later pick up times because they know people travel to do them.

I would be livid if I had signed up for a race thinking that I could do race day packet pick-up (have never had to pay a fee for that - it's either been offered or not offered) and found out last minute there was a fee.  Especially after paying $30 for a 5K that doesn't appear to be a charity event.  And especially if I was going to have to pay $10 to park.  (Is that the event people or just how much parking lots in the area charge?)

[Magic Microbe]

Remember these  races are a business not a charity fundraiser. They want as much of your money as they can get.

[SandraDee]

The same day $5 fee is listed on the website's FAQ's.

[Chris the Wheeler]

We're going through economic hard times. I think it takes $ to accomodate everyone's needs. I have not paid bib pick up in the past either, just because there is a time and place to pick the bib for everyone. Obviously, race day pick up is an inconvenient time for the race organizers to distribute. Why not capitalize on those who couldn't get anyone to pick up their bibs for them when they are available for free?

Race day pick up is just easier for your volunteer crew as well.  Staffing an event on 1 days is easier then 3 days. 

Sounds like it is organized by the Evil, Backwards, HoseWater, Rock n Roll Empire.

Buy extra color pack$ to ambush sister when she drops out.

I think it's one of those "for profit groups". 

I don't know about buying extra packs to celebrate her "dropping out."    You don't celebrate failure.  Then again, times have changed.  My family doesn't get DNFs.  It's not allowed. 

Can your sister not pick up your race packet for you, since the race is in her town?

OR by "during the day", do you mean that they are only running packet pick up until 5 pm, and your sister couldn't get there either?  IN my area, they would go to at least 7 pm for a small race.  Large races have later pick up times because they know people travel to do them.

We are trying to coordinate that now.  The email said pick up until 5pm.  She was told later.  So, I'm trying to confirm. 

I would be livid if I had signed up for a race thinking that I could do race day packet pick-up (have never had to pay a fee for that - it's either been offered or not offered) and found out last minute there was a fee.  Especially after paying $30 for a 5K that doesn't appear to be a charity event.  And especially if I was going to have to pay $10 to park.  (Is that the event people or just how much parking lots in the area charge?)

We re on the same page.  The hard part is that I don't really want to do this.  I have a Half Marathon the morning after. 

[Chris the Wheeler]

The same day $5 fee is listed on the website's FAQ's.

It is now.

[i am party]

[Natasha]

I'm doing a Ragnar race (expensive!) and after signing up, our team leader got  notified that we'd either need to bring a volunteer or pay $10 each to hire someone. Annoying to get hit up with another charge after already shelling out big bucks.

[DickWadzinski]

No race day pick ups is one of the main resaons why I don't enter many races.  Charging for it IS stupid.  Fat ass runners lining up in front is another reason I don't enter many races.

[DickWadzinski]

I'm doing a Ragnar race (expensive!) and after signing up, our team leader got  notified that we'd either need to bring a volunteer or pay $10 each to hire someone. Annoying to get hit up with another charge after already shelling out big bucks.

It says that right on their website.

[Natasha]

It says that right on their website.

Argh!