A while ago I posted a list of races we hope to run this summer. Has anyone else noticed an increase in race rates over the past few years? Some of them are refreshingly cheap, like the Linda Buttars one that was $5 (t-shirt included!) and the Alpine Days one that is always less than $8. I don't mind paying a little more when the proceeds are going toward a good cause. But when no cause is advertised I have a hard time forking over more than $12. (Times that by two for Jonny. And it could really get pricey in the future should our kids decide to run rather than leisurely stroll.)
We are running our Eagle Mountain 5k tomorrow, for which I really hesitated to pay $20 each. But all of the proceeds are going to a cancer foundation and a new school, so I'm down with that. I went to sign up for the PG Strawberry Days 5k and couldn't believe it too is $20 - and no cause. Come on people, it's just three miles on a Saturday morning! Many races these days don't even let you opt out of the t-shirt. I have boxes of race shirts in my basement. I really don't need anymore. But I will pay a little extra for a tech shirt on occasion. Otherwise I can do without. (Just had a good idea to get youth sizes so my kids can wear them. Wish I had thought of that before!)
I did write a friendly email to the organizer of the PG race asking about the increase in rate from the last several years. (And why not include a family rate?) He said something about better timing devices, new sponsors, more fun, whatever. Then he said he hoped I'd still come and he'd save me a donut.
And that's another thing. Since when do we need (or even want) to eat donuts and ice cream after running a race?! Charge me $8, give me an orange slice and a cup of water, award me a ribbon if I place, and keep your t-shirts, trophies, and donuts. Please?
P.S. And so, running family and friends, we may just skip Strawberry Days this year. Besides the $40 for tomorrow's race, I just wrote a $70 check ($35 each) for the Provo River half marathon in August. I know it is tradition but I don't want to exhaust our "dates and fun" budget on running, for crying out loud. Maybe we should hold our own race - then we can ALL place in our age groups! And I will bring the watermelon and sourdough bread.
P.P.S. Maybe we'll see you at AF Steel Days, though? $15 with shirt, $10 without. July 10th.
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13 comments:
:( Tradition! We haven't run a race with you in months! It's just not the same without the Rejholecs.
On the other hand, without Jonny around I have a chance at placing, but still I would rather take one place less and have you there. Some of us can't be bothered to go to Jordan Landing for a 5K.
Amen. I even ruined my traditional Memorial Day 10K streak because I didn't want to pay $45 for the only race within an hour of here. Seriously? I think I paid that to run a full marathon. (And why are longer distances more money?)
Half marathon huh? How adventurous. Makes me hurt thinking about it.
And yes, that is a lot of money. Donuts? Gross.
I love the idea of youth shirts. The kids would love it.
Well I a just impressed and motivated by all you guys. I love that your such runners. It's great! I wish I had gotten into it. I agree with your points on pricing but at the same time, I say money well spent!
Ridiculous. I wouldn't pay that much either for SD. That is a risky move on their part, because I wonder how many other families are saying what you are.
If you don't end up getting youth sizes...or you want something to do with all your old race shirts you can make a fun quilt out of them. Then at least you're using them instead of having them sit in a box somewhere or throwing them out. It would be a fun memory/conversation starter quilt. That's what I did with all of my student council/high school shirts that I never wore, but didn't want to throw out. Just Google "t-shirt quilt" for ideas and instructions :)
P.S. I don't know where you find the energy, but I have never been a runner so I look up to your gusto :)
Yes! Janessa, that is definitely what I plan on doing someday in the near future. My Grandma made a quilt out of her running shirts and that is why I have kept them instead of sending them to DI. Now, if I could just learn how to sew...
Yes, as long as Amber and Cortnie do not run, I could actually take FIRST in my age group! HA!
I hurt today. Not used to running down hill, I suppose. But it WAS a fun one! But see, I'm still for the t-shirts at least for my first time in each race. So LAME that it is $30 for the PG one. LAME lame lame.
I'll just do all the ones everyone else is doing. It's still only me running, so I can afford it. :) The day Jake starts running (HA!!!) I'll have to pick and choose.
I agree with you on the hiking of the fees. Just keep calling and complaining and not going and telling them you have 5-10 people who are also not going until they lower their fees. And yeah, go for the Steel days, and tell them you're doing it because of the reasonable fee.
i hope you had a fun time at the EM run. i was in the parade and looked for you guys the whole time, hoping you'd be there! but i didn't see you :( go luck on the rest of your races and hope you see you soon!
I think "more sponsors" should bring the price down. If the organizers are paying sponsors, they're doing something wrong. I shoot all those events for Zazoosh, and am astounded by the fees they pay. Marathons are often close to $100! Maybe that's not so hard to pay since it's a long term goal a lot of times...but more than $10 for a 5k is silly.
You're doing a half marathon!! Hurray! I am doing one too in August- I saw Megan M. running, we both ran past each other- I haven't seen her since either you or Emily's wedding I can't remember which. I'm so excited to hear all about it! It's your first right? Oh, you're going to do so well!!
I am highly annoyed! The nerve of our dumb town. I don't think they have had as many people in the last several years, so maybe that is the cause of the increase. I think that will backfire on them, and rightly so! I'm wanting to do the A.F and maybe the 24th one in Logan. I actually ran a little today for the first time. It wasn't the best ever, but also not the worst!!!
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