General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees Rss Feed  
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2006-11-09 7:58 AM

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Edited by SweetK 2006-11-09 7:59 AM


2006-11-09 8:03 AM
in reply to: #593997

Expert
1168
10001002525
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees

For USAT membership, if you do 3 or more USAT races, you might as well get a membership. I think it costs somewhere around $30 for a year membership.  You get some extra benefits from it too.

http://www.usatriathlon.org/MultiSport101/JoinUSAT.aspx 

2006-11-09 8:05 AM
in reply to: #593997

Runner
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I don't have much in terms of monetary advice. I guess if you feel that this is something you're definitely going to be doing long-term, and plan on doing more than 2 a year, then yeah it's probably worth the membership.

As for race fees, you're right, they do get pretty pricey. Of course, most major races, even running, are pretty pricey, too. Philly Marathon is like $90. Not as high as a major triathlon, but you see what I mean.

This is also why I like the smaller local races. They're cheaper, and a little more....familial, so to speak. This is also why I do way more running races.
2006-11-09 8:13 AM
in reply to: #593997

Master
1888
1000500100100100252525
Winder, GA
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees

I can totally understand the sticker shock of signing up for races. I had no idea (before I started) I'd have to drop at least $50 for races. As a newbie also, I've had to rethink how many races I'm actually going to enter because of the cost.

As far as USAT goes, think of it this way, do you plan to do at least 3 races that are USAT sactioned? If so, then I think the membership is totally worth it. Doing 3 races you'll break even with a yearly membership and if you do more then you'll save the one day membership fee every time.

Good luck!

Mindy

2006-11-09 8:15 AM
in reply to: #594006

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
Running races are typically cheaper than tri races for many reasons.

If you think it is the promoters just trying to make bank, it really isn't ...... there is a ton of stuff that has to paid for and organized. As someone who has started to look into race promotion in the beginning phases I can say that it ain't cheap to put on a race .......

But I totally agree, it is something the average middle class person has to map out or it will kill their credit cards quickly. ;-P
2006-11-09 8:19 AM
in reply to: #593997

Expert
760
5001001002525
Mt. Morris, IL
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees

My problem with the high cost of races is when you pay too much for a horribly run race.  If you read this months Triathlete magazine they took this topic on in the point counter-point section.  I was unfortuantly at the race that was used as an example of a waste of money. 

I have no problem paying the money if it is a well run race!  I understand that there is a lot that goes into setting these races up and contrary to what many think, these guys are not getting rich off of it. 

I say as long as I get what I pay for it's all good!



2006-11-09 8:21 AM
in reply to: #593997

Master
2299
2000100100252525
New York
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
The prices are crazy, but like pseudoyams said - 3 or more races and your USAT membership almost pays for itself. I think the Bronze membership is in the $35/year neighborhood. Once you get it out of the way, then, you won't have to worry about the extra $9 (?) for the one-day pass on top of entry fees.

And I was absolutely shocked that NYC Tri was $135!
2006-11-09 8:22 AM
in reply to: #593997

Elite
2515
2000500
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
Here's an interesting way to save money on race fees: see if some of the local race organizations that do multiple races a year will trade your services for free or reduced registrations.  Perhaps you can volunteer at their races or even offer special skills you might have (graphic/web designer, great volunteer coordinator, certified lifeguard, etc.)  I think you might be surprised how many race organizations will go for this.  Plus, volunteering is a hell of a lot of fun. 
2006-11-09 8:28 AM
in reply to: #593997

Expert
1166
10001002525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees

Yes, some of the race fees seem pricey. And I used to feel a bit guilty for the money spent on them, and the bike, and the gear, etc. Someone close to me has joked about it being an expensive midlife crisis.

But when I started to compare what I am spending to what other people my same age around me are spending, the guilty feelings went away. The race entry fees, even for the expensive official Mdot IM I am doing next year, aren't as bad as the annual cost for someone with a cigarette habit.

My bike was cheaper than what some of my friends have paid for golf clubs. Their club memberships and green fees are more expensive than my race entry fees.

My entry fees, travel costs, bike, other gear, etc. are cheaper than their new Harleys. They are cheaper than their new cars.

I am not judging any of these people on how they spend their money. Everyone has a different passion. I just don't feel too bad anymore about what mine costs.

And I am now a hell of a lot healthier than any of them.

Bill

2006-11-09 8:34 AM
in reply to: #593997

Extreme Veteran
438
10010010010025
Surprise, AZ
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
In this month's Triathlete magazine they have an article on race entry fee's from both a competitors and race organizers view points, pretty interesting
2006-11-09 8:42 AM
in reply to: #593997

Champion
7821
50002000500100100100
Brooklyn, NY
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
SweetK - 2006-11-09 7:58 AM

As a newbie to triathlons, I guess I was amazed by the High entry fees.

Yesterday I planned on registering for a few events in 2007 and when I noticed the entry fees, I realized I have to budget them rather than enter them all at once. I knew I would have to consider lodging and food but that's budgeted in the future, but to enter now...yikes, it's expensive.


I think the travel's turning out to be a bigger issue than the race fees for me. I'm trying to stick to entering races that I can drive to in less than a day, to avoid airfares (fortunately that covers a lot), but finding cheap hotels that my wife and son would be comfortable in isn't always easy. And I love that airlines can look at you with a straight face and tell you that an "adult" is anyone over the age of two.


2006-11-09 8:48 AM
in reply to: #593997

Champion
6627
5000100050010025
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Gold member
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees

It's all perspective.  Take your projected race entry fees and travel, THEN write down next to it how much the tri-bike you want costs.  It won't look that bad anymore.

For me...having plunked down the cash for a bike, that it just isn't that hard to pay a little bit more to USE that ride.... 

2006-11-09 8:55 AM
in reply to: #593997

molto veloce mama
9311
500020002000100100100
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
as some have said, if you are doing 3 or more USAT races, it pays to become a member. $30 for the 'bronze level'. we are on a one income budget since i'm home with the girls, so i have to pick carefully. for next year, i'm trying to stick to races right around $50. last year i did a handful of races that were $70-90 and required travel. for 2007 i need to pull back on costs a bit, to make up for buying a new tri bike (albeit a steal of a bike). smaller local races tend to be in the $30-$60 range. if you pick BIG races (like here, lifetime fitness would be the best example), you'll end up spending a lot. i could do 3 smaller local races for the cost of lifetime fitness. me, i'd rather race lots.
2006-11-09 9:36 AM
in reply to: #593997

Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I agree that the USAT membership is worth it. There is a sprint series in my area that runs Wednesday night races for $15, but you have to be a member to participate. You may want to look to see if there is something like that around you.

But as far as the "big" weekend races go, I use the high entry fees as motivation for training and racing my best at each race. It definitely makes it worth the money when you go into it knowing you trained and raced as well as you possibly could.
2006-11-09 9:51 AM
in reply to: #593997

Veteran
206
100100
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I've always been curious how much Aaron (Jeepfleeb) and some of the other "tri every weekend" guys pay a year in registration fees! What's the over under on them?

I know me and the wife have spent $600 on fees this year...and we've already started saving for next year because were doing more races so iI'm estimating it will be more like $1000.
2006-11-09 10:07 AM
in reply to: #593997

Coach
9167
5000200020001002525
Stairway to Seven
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
By far my most expensive race experience was the escape from acatraz. REgistration was about $295, plane ticket $300, hotel costs ~$85/night (a steal in SF), plus food. Entertainment I'm not too picky about, thewalruses on Pier 39 (?41) were worth every cent I spent on the restaraunt upstairs!


2006-11-09 10:18 AM
in reply to: #593997

Regular
408
100100100100
Rhode Island
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
We can also compare it to other habits. A day on the golf course can easily cost $50-150 with greens fees, lunch, refreshments after, etc. Play on a softball team and that's going to cost at least $100 for the season. Hockey is about $10-15 a game multiplied by a 15-20 game season. I don't know that there really are any cheap hobbies left. Heck, even a pack of baseball cards can run $10 now!
2006-11-09 10:44 AM
in reply to: #593997

Champion
10471
500050001001001001002525
Dallas, TX
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
Well, this is an expensive hobby. That is why I figure you don't see a lot of young 20-somethings racing.

I have a very tight budget so I minimize the cost by:

1) Only racing for races I have trained for. I don't just sign up on a whim the day before, just to do it.

2) I try to sign up as early as possible. It saves me a few bucks and gets me motived that much sooner!

3) I only pick races that I can drive to. I can't pay for hotel, gas, etc... when it comes to traveling to a race. I also try to pick races where I won't be driving more than 45 miles one-way. Again, saving on gas.

4) I only race 2-3 times a year. Well, I race about 2 times a year, and I do other events to mix things up.

2006-11-09 11:09 AM
in reply to: #593997

Extreme Veteran
574
5002525
Crossville, TN
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I actually sleep in a tent in campgrounds to save money on overnight stays. I sign up early to get discounts on races. I choose the races that are more spread apart over the season so I don't spend a lot at one time. I hide my receipts so my wife doesn't know how much I'm spending.
2006-11-09 11:15 AM
in reply to: #594182

Queen BTich
12411
500050002000100100100100
,
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees

caseyr02 - 2006-11-09 9:51 AM
I've always been curious how much Aaron (Jeepfleeb) and some of the other "tri every weekend" guys pay a year in registration fees! What's the over under on them? .

Aaron is scared to add up his race fees from last year and the year before. Its easily several hundred--a month.

2006-11-09 11:29 AM
in reply to: #594381

Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
Ahhh, to be young and not married (sort of) with no kids again!


2006-11-09 11:39 AM
in reply to: #593997

Veteran
494
100100100100252525
Tampa, FL
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I just wish that for $100 a race I could get a t-shirt that fits!!!! Does anyone actually EVER print Small shirts, or do they just put that on the registration to lure you in?
I have volunteered for 5 Tris this season and none of them offer discounted race fees, too bad, would be a nice perk! However, I am volunteering 70.3 championships this weekend and we get competitor rates at the Expo, I got an Ironman helmet for $20 bucks and a tyr swim top for $10!
2006-11-09 12:07 PM
in reply to: #594317

Extreme Veteran
338
10010010025
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
KSH - 2006-11-09 8:44 AM

Well, this is an expensive hobby. That is why I figure you don't see a lot of young 20-somethings racing.


No kidding! I'm always surprised how few of us there are in the F 20-24 category. One race this summer there were only 2 of us out of 600 racers! I;m starting to look at my '07 races and although I would love to race more often, tuition (and groceries!) have to come before entry fees...bummer.

Megz
2006-11-09 12:08 PM
in reply to: #593997

Pro
3730
2000100050010010025
NorCal
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I registered for USAT when I signed up for my last tri of the season. So far the membership has been worth it since my local tri/bike/running shop (www.sportsbasement.com) gives you a discount on every purchase with a USAT membership.

As for the registration fees, I use it as motivation for my training. Also you may want to see if your company offers a "healthy lifestyle" benefit. At my company, I can submit exercise related costs up to $100 a year. Basically my company will re-imburse me up $100 a year for sports equipment, gym memebership, sneakers, work-out clothes, etc. Happy training!

Abbie
2006-11-09 12:21 PM
in reply to: #593997

Master
1845
100050010010010025
Athens, Ga.
Subject: RE: Wow-Reality Check: The Race Entry Fees
I figured out at the end of this tri season that it's not the overtraining I might do that freaks my hubby out, it's the cost of races. So, I'm starting a fund - putting in freelancing money, etc. so I can race more next year (hopefully, anyway). And like others, I'm trying to stay close to home, or find cheaper smaller venues. For example, I've got the Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl (an oly) on my list instead of St. Anthony's. Jekyll is $55 to St. A's $140. Maybe someday I'll strike it rich and can do all the cool tris!
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