Why are races so expensive?

Any comments on providing free entries?

On "other" <gasp> running boards, I've read plenty about all the 'biggie' races providing free entry, travel, lodging, etc. for elite/semi-elite runners. A lot of the time, it's just a matter of asking and race directors will hop at the chance to get someone that'll put some starch in the race results. I'd venture to guess the top 1% of any substantial sized race didn't pay an entry fee. For my race, I've also comp'd the occasional entry in exchange for equipment rental, volunteer time, etc. So really, if you want a freebie race bib, get creative about it if you can't put yourself in the top 1%

This sounds like what I was expecting. I'm unsure if the Minnesota Distance Running Association is putting on the City of Lakes 25k this year or not. It's a race that has a good 20 years of history and probably ties back to the defunct City of Lakes marathon. Minneapolis raised the price tag for closing down several roads around the two lakes the race runs around. There is a decent police prescence with barrier blocking off a lane of a fairly major local road, and the other roads that are blocked off completely, aid stations, finishers mugs (not sure what the big deal was with that), a goodly number of volunteers, an ambulance or two on site, and closing off the parking lot of the Lake Harriet Bandshell. There's a lot of organization that goes into it. Think it cost $35 last year. I think the price all has to do with the cost of organizing the race like jrjo said. I'm guessing that unless you are a corporate race director (we have Anderson Races in the area that I've seen RD quite a few), there is very little profit in it.

I've been thinking about this off and on today. I can see how the costs jrjo listed add up, but then again I also notice that trail races in my area typically cost more. Is there some extra insurance required? They are saving money on police and road closures... where's the extra money going?

That'd make sense that the premium for trail race insurance is more than a road race, the odds of injury are a lot more, but even so, I'd expect something like $3 instead of a buck-fiddy per runner. So that's part of it. I could also see the logistics being more expensive in needing some four-wheelers to get aid stations set up and a race director would want to pay for that volunteers gas and possibly a gratutity for getting supplies out on the trail.
Trail races too are probably more lengthy, so you've got longer periods for the medical folks to be around and such.
And one last thought, I'd wager that trail races are harder to get sponsors for so the cost of the race has to fall more on being covered by fees. A big road race is more appealing to a sponsor since there is more 'public' sightings of the race (whether true or not).
My race is 95% on trails and even for a somewhat minimalist race, $20 a head was just breaking even. If I intend to get some advertising and mailings and publicity, I either have to raise entry fees or bust some doors for more sponsor money. I think a lot of race directors know the demand is so good right now for races, that raising fees is easy compared to corporate begging :shrug:

Races typically comp entry fees only to encourage runners to race who will benefit the race, not just to be nice. Having more sub 18:30 runners in the race doesn't encourage more people to enter, or sponsors to support the race. You probably need to be sub 15 for 5K before a comp starts to make sense, although very few 5K's comp runners in general. Comps are much more common in longer races, and a sub 2:30 marathoner can get comps to some races, and a 2:20 runner can get a comp at just about any race.

The race I directed last year broke even and that's about it too. It was $18.00 and we had about 85 runners is all. I donated tons of my own personal time too. :|

Maybe there are different fees to the park and recreation boards? You're also likely to get fewer runners when you go trail (no hard stats, just looking at local race results) and if the race gets a little bit longer you'll have even fewer...which means that even if the overall costs are less, if you have half the runners you might have had on a road course, those runners will have to pay more to help defray the costs. And this is assuming nothing goes to charity.

You bring in corporate sponsors [...] and the fees go up some more.

This is one thing that does not make sense. Sponsors are paying to get their names on banners and tshirts, yet somehow the race still costs the same or even more than an unsponsored one? Where is the money going? For those that have been race directors, can you provide a break down of costs? Exactly the same thing as I've been wondering. I know that in NASCAR, the corporate sponsors add to the prize money. But for road (foot) races, I would think that total expeditures would include prize money, race management, water/aid stations, etc and having corpoarate sponsors that pay money adds to entry fees to pay for things; more corporate sponsors should equal lower entry fees. Dayton, OH has the Ohio River Road Runners CLub that cost $20 a year to join. If you go to a race they run, it cost $2.00 for members and $6.00 for non-members. It be nice to have a national runners' club that would give discouts for members. Race organizers could get "kickback" from the national club to cover reduced costs for members....I see from the ORRRC website that there is a RCCA (national) I wonder what benefits you can get from being a member to them... Just a thought.

Any comments on providing free entries?

Actually some races do provide free entries if you are a fast enough runner, sometimes known as an invited runner. Others will furnish free entry if you agree to be a pacer (mostly marathon and half-marathons). And the Atlanta Track Club has about 6-8 races each year in which no tee-shirt events are held free to members, $5.00 to non-members These races include 5k, 10k , 5 mile and even 15 mile races, among others. And then there is the Chickamauga Marathon each year sponsored by the Chattanooga Track Club - $35.00 for a very well run small marathon of 150-200 runners. On the other hand if you wish to run the Peachtree Road Race this year the entry fee was $28.00.

geez I searched this up because races in my area, supposedly benefitting charities are now charging $40 PERSON and there are food trucks at the end and beer vouchers! Runners get a tshirt.
Some of it goes to charity, but even the charity is kinda bogus as it is a 501 c 3 that vets different charities for kids and gives out money from a foundation. I lately look askance at all these 5 Ks popping everywhere. There are what they are, money makers for the organizers.