In New Orleans they have a free summer series which is five or so 2 mile races that are free to everyone. Pretty bare bones races, no shirts, small awards if any (I haven't been to one), only race day registration. Baton Rouge is attempting (I think this is the second year they do it) a summer series of 2 milers, all in the evening just like New Orleans, except that it's a hefty $10 entry fee for no shirt, race day registration only, dinky awards, yadda yadda yadda. And they're all on private grounds, no roads, no closures. What gives? I think it would be a little rude if I emailed the club and asked where the money was going, but I sure am curious.
And I know the New Orleans Track Club is losing money on the runs, but I doubt they're spending too much to make it happen, and it's a great service to the community I think.
And I know the New Orleans Track Club is losing money on the runs, but I doubt they're spending too much to make it happen, and it's a great service to the community I think.
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Considering the problems lately in NO, I th ink it's great, but I wonder how they do it with insurance. Do they just not have any? And if that's the cse, isn't it risky?
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Of course they have insurance. In our litigious society, you simply cannot have a race (or any other public event) without it.
The key to the free races is probably the fact that the NOTC puts them on. The club generates revenues from membership dues, other races, sponsorships, ect., so they can "afford" to put on a free summer series.
Here in my area, the Cross Country Club of Dallas puts on 8 races a year that are free for members (with a small fee for non-members), and the Plano Pacers put on 10 free to members races. They're bare bones races without t-shirts, bands, post-race buffets, ect. They do have accurate courses, awards, and the other trappings (including insurance) needed for a race.
Running clubs are able to get insurance coverage through the Road Runners Club of America. I don't know the specifics, but that's probably a lot cheaper than a one time event trying to get insurance on its own.
The message: if you have a running club in your area, join up. They deserve your support, and you're likely to get more than your money's worth out of the membership.
The key to the free races is probably the fact that the NOTC puts them on. The club generates revenues from membership dues, other races, sponsorships, ect., so they can "afford" to put on a free summer series.
Here in my area, the Cross Country Club of Dallas puts on 8 races a year that are free for members (with a small fee for non-members), and the Plano Pacers put on 10 free to members races. They're bare bones races without t-shirts, bands, post-race buffets, ect. They do have accurate courses, awards, and the other trappings (including insurance) needed for a race.
Running clubs are able to get insurance coverage through the Road Runners Club of America. I don't know the specifics, but that's probably a lot cheaper than a one time event trying to get insurance on its own.
The message: if you have a running club in your area, join up. They deserve your support, and you're likely to get more than your money's worth out of the membership.
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I used to belong to RR in Charlotte and I remember the bit about insurance for each member, but I didn't know it extended to the races themselves. Thanks for the education.
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Our city has a race series for kids.....and the participation is huge. It's free, they earn a t-shirt if they run in 3 races, and there is lots of food. The area cc coaches are always on hand to see what's coming up the ranks. Unfornuately, they are usually soccer players :(
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I'm used to paying anything from $15 to $30 for any one race. It gets pretty expensive when I'm back home and I run in two a weekend. :|
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Running and racing is probably the cheapest sport I've participated in and I don't have any problems paying for races. Living in So Cal I've become acustom to $35 to $85 fees for races...... I probably spend between $1500 to $2000/year for races. Most are larger races raising money for good causes but sometimes I'll run a small club race ..... I never have a problem paying for the race if someone is willing to put the time and effort putting it together. I've never felt I've been gouged for a race fee..... when that day comes, I'll just hang up my racing shoes and go for a nice run by myself.
Jim
Jim
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As a NYRR member I pay $11 for most races (advance registration), and my dues are about $26 per year. In the 12 years I've been a member I don't think they've been increased all that much. And almost all their races include a t-shirt (I admit, I still love getting a new race shirt )
No complaints from me. Considering all that goes into puting on a race I'm perfectly happy to pay the fees. Plus the NYRR does a lot to promote running, etc.
Did someone say $85 for a race? Unless its a big-time marathon, etc that seems excessive.
No complaints from me. Considering all that goes into puting on a race I'm perfectly happy to pay the fees. Plus the NYRR does a lot to promote running, etc.
Did someone say $85 for a race? Unless its a big-time marathon, etc that seems excessive.
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Yep... I run a lot of half marathons in So Cal and many of the fees are going up and getting close to the marathon fees..... it's not uncommon to spend up to $60 for a half..... the Disney West Coast Half is $85. It's really a drop in the bucket when you consider many people are paying over $4000/month for their mortages..... it's just a different world here in So Cal 8O
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For $35.00/year membership in the Atlanta Track Club I get 12 races free from varying distances of 5k to 10miles to cross country events as well as track & field. Non-members pay $5.00 per race. The races are no tee-shirt events but do include small award ceremonies, water stations along the course and bagels, bananas and other foods at the end of the race.
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