Comments on: 2008 100 Mile Race Entry Fee Analysis http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html Mud, Mountains, Miles and More Thu, 29 Jul 2010 08:53:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Trail Goat http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-917 Trail Goat Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:13:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-917 Sean,<br/>I'm considering that route. First, I'm waiting to hear back from a potential teammate. After that I have some ideas. The big drawback for TRR is the ginormous entry fee! $1350?!!? I could easily pay for my entire 10 day vacation to Grand Teton and Wasatch, including airfare, for that. I know that TRR's fee includes meals and tent lodging, but still! Sean,
I’m considering that route. First, I’m waiting to hear back from a potential teammate. After that I have some ideas. The big drawback for TRR is the ginormous entry fee! $1350?!!? I could easily pay for my entire 10 day vacation to Grand Teton and Wasatch, including airfare, for that. I know that TRR’s fee includes meals and tent lodging, but still!

]]> By: saschasdad http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-916 saschasdad Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:22:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-916 What do you mean "if you don't get chosen for the TransRockies Run"? Choose yourself, choose a teammate, and DO IT! What do you mean “if you don’t get chosen for the TransRockies Run”? Choose yourself, choose a teammate, and DO IT!

]]> By: Footfeathers http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-915 Footfeathers Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:27:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-915 I meant to say I HATE to lose competition both to run against and to have in my events.<br/>tl I meant to say I HATE to lose competition both to run against and to have in my events.
tl

]]> By: Footfeathers http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-914 Footfeathers Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:20:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-914 Being an event chip timer and organizer full-time, I can tell you that road races and trail races are two different things in more ways than what may be obvious to the participants. Road races are much more expensive to organize. Police and DOT fees alone for a marathon can be anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000.<br/><br/>Trust me, I would love to make a fortune off my events, but, since I don't make that much money, I try to keep my entry fees low, so more people like myself can enjoy them. I know of at least one very good ultra runner who gave up on paying race fees and organizes his own adventure runs (free). I had to lose competition both to run against and to have in my events. I personally chose not to run a couple of events in VA because I feel they charge too much. On the other hand, I will support events like the Rattlesnake 50k (my first ultra last year) that balance a great event with a reasonable entry fee ($50 early and late).<br/><br/>My fear is that a couple of events will jack prices and then every other one will too. Then we'll have the "Everest Syndrome" where you have rich, mediocre participants en masse, and lose some strong runners who may not earn enough to justify $300 to run in the woods and eat some pretzels. <br/><br/>I'm not saying that only slow runners earn money, but filtering out even a few of the people who place in the top 3% of events hurts the sport. I'd rather see entry fees remain reasonable, so EVERYONE has a chance to compete.<br/><br/>My idea of reasonable entry fees?<br/><br/>50k - $50<br/>50M - $70<br/>100k - $85<br/>100M - $140<br/><br/>Ok, fire away at me.<br/>Tim Long Being an event chip timer and organizer full-time, I can tell you that road races and trail races are two different things in more ways than what may be obvious to the participants. Road races are much more expensive to organize. Police and DOT fees alone for a marathon can be anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000.

Trust me, I would love to make a fortune off my events, but, since I don’t make that much money, I try to keep my entry fees low, so more people like myself can enjoy them. I know of at least one very good ultra runner who gave up on paying race fees and organizes his own adventure runs (free). I had to lose competition both to run against and to have in my events. I personally chose not to run a couple of events in VA because I feel they charge too much. On the other hand, I will support events like the Rattlesnake 50k (my first ultra last year) that balance a great event with a reasonable entry fee ($50 early and late).

My fear is that a couple of events will jack prices and then every other one will too. Then we’ll have the “Everest Syndrome” where you have rich, mediocre participants en masse, and lose some strong runners who may not earn enough to justify $300 to run in the woods and eat some pretzels.

I’m not saying that only slow runners earn money, but filtering out even a few of the people who place in the top 3% of events hurts the sport. I’d rather see entry fees remain reasonable, so EVERYONE has a chance to compete.

My idea of reasonable entry fees?

50k – $50
50M – $70
100k – $85
100M – $140

Ok, fire away at me.
Tim Long

]]> By: Trail Goat http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-913 Trail Goat Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:22:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-913 Harmer,<br/>I personally don't know much about Superior, but here are a guesses as to why it might not be given its due outside the upper midwest. First, Minnesota isn't exactly known as being a trail running destination even if it is a great place to run. Second, SS is not one of the big 100s is it? What's the field size like? Third, have many top runners from outside the region competed there? I think that while the presence of top ultramarathoners doesn't make an event, it can make it more well known. Lastly, it's right around the time the Wasatch 100 is run and the ultrarunning world tends to be focused on Utah at that time. <br/><br/>Let's talk off-blog about Superior. Harmer,
I personally don’t know much about Superior, but here are a guesses as to why it might not be given its due outside the upper midwest. First, Minnesota isn’t exactly known as being a trail running destination even if it is a great place to run. Second, SS is not one of the big 100s is it? What’s the field size like? Third, have many top runners from outside the region competed there? I think that while the presence of top ultramarathoners doesn’t make an event, it can make it more well known. Lastly, it’s right around the time the Wasatch 100 is run and the ultrarunning world tends to be focused on Utah at that time.

Let’s talk off-blog about Superior.

]]> By: Trail Goat http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-912 Trail Goat Sun, 20 Apr 2008 17:04:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-912 Meredith,<br/>Are you talking about Team PACER or me pacing folks?<br/><br/>Bedrock,<br/>I agree with Wasatch being a ridiculously good value. I'm finally ready to put my name back in the lottery next year. It would be just my luck to get into Western States, Hardrock, and Wasatch in the same year.<br/><br/>Olga,<br/>Sounds like a good deal on the Oregon 100. I'll keep it in mind in case I don't get into Wasatch. Meredith,
Are you talking about Team PACER or me pacing folks?

Bedrock,
I agree with Wasatch being a ridiculously good value. I’m finally ready to put my name back in the lottery next year. It would be just my luck to get into Western States, Hardrock, and Wasatch in the same year.

Olga,
Sounds like a good deal on the Oregon 100. I’ll keep it in mind in case I don’t get into Wasatch.

]]> By: olga http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-911 olga Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:10:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-911 Oregon 100 will be at $150 early bird. Come and run it next September:) Oregon 100 will be at $150 early bird. Come and run it next September:)

]]> By: AnthonyP http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-910 AnthonyP Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:30:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-910 Trail Goat said...Also, I don't think Tony was attacking the race or the entry fee. In fact, I know he intends to be there again this year. (GTR is where I met Tony last year.)<br/>------------<br/>I had no idea that the seas would swell on this...thanks for comment B (while I was away on business yesteray). Of course I wasn't attacking the race or the entry fee, and yes, I am going to be there again this year (I was like the 8th person to register). My point was made to help make the list more complete, especially if there was an event in the top tier of the list missing. Trail Goat said…Also, I don’t think Tony was attacking the race or the entry fee. In fact, I know he intends to be there again this year. (GTR is where I met Tony last year.)
————
I had no idea that the seas would swell on this…thanks for comment B (while I was away on business yesteray). Of course I wasn’t attacking the race or the entry fee, and yes, I am going to be there again this year (I was like the 8th person to register). My point was made to help make the list more complete, especially if there was an event in the top tier of the list missing.

]]> By: aharmer http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-909 aharmer Fri, 18 Apr 2008 20:38:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-909 Goat,<br/>Looks like Superior Sawtooth and their $150 fee were disrespected and left off a list again...just kidding. At a race last weekend we had this discussion. One of the most difficult and beautiful 100's in the country gets very little attendance and recognition outside of MN, any ideas why? Goat,
Looks like Superior Sawtooth and their $150 fee were disrespected and left off a list again…just kidding. At a race last weekend we had this discussion. One of the most difficult and beautiful 100′s in the country gets very little attendance and recognition outside of MN, any ideas why?

]]> By: Bedrock http://www.irunfar.com/2008/04/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.html/comment-page-1#comment-908 Bedrock Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:35:00 +0000 http://irunfar.com/2008-100-mile-race-entry-fee-analysis.php#comment-908 Mason, I thought I was the analytical "freak". Seriously, I agree that many 100 mile races are bargains. I mean, $155 for Wasatch? I have only run MMT and for the aid station fare and supreme organization, $140 is definitely a bargain. However, I wonder how many people actually choose a race based on the entry fee? I for one, rarely think about it until I write the check. Point being, most folks choose 100 milers (and other "focus" races) based on some other criteria and the entry fee becomes an afterthought. Therefore, there should be some demand elasticity allowing for moderate fee increases (Sorry, I majored in Finance and Econ).<br/><br/>I think another way to "assist" those that can't (or won't) pay the higher fees is through a service component. Say a 10% discount for every 8 hours of volunteer/trail work (above what may be required for race entry) up to say 30%. In addition to a financial incentive, it encourages folks to volunteer at other races. Something to think about. Any RDs out there that care to chime in? Mason, I thought I was the analytical “freak”. Seriously, I agree that many 100 mile races are bargains. I mean, $155 for Wasatch? I have only run MMT and for the aid station fare and supreme organization, $140 is definitely a bargain. However, I wonder how many people actually choose a race based on the entry fee? I for one, rarely think about it until I write the check. Point being, most folks choose 100 milers (and other “focus” races) based on some other criteria and the entry fee becomes an afterthought. Therefore, there should be some demand elasticity allowing for moderate fee increases (Sorry, I majored in Finance and Econ).

I think another way to “assist” those that can’t (or won’t) pay the higher fees is through a service component. Say a 10% discount for every 8 hours of volunteer/trail work (above what may be required for race entry) up to say 30%. In addition to a financial incentive, it encourages folks to volunteer at other races. Something to think about. Any RDs out there that care to chime in?

]]>