Entry Fees - out of hand?

[not2fast]

Recently started training for triathlons again, after a decade of absence.

Was shocked to see what they want for entry fees. Most races are int he 65 - 85 dollar range. And I still end up with a $5 dollar tee shirt!

Anyone else think they are being taken advantage by race directors?

[tajsss]

I have just started tri's. I have done one and a relay with some friends and another in a week. Each one has been either 45 or 50 bucks. Seems fine to me. I agree with you that 65-85 seems a bit high. Is that last minute registration or early? Mine have been early and they did go up to 65 or 70 if you waited till the week before.

[not2fast]

Yes, it was for later registration. Being in the military, I dont have the luxury of registering for a race months ahead of time.

But even the early registration for some races appears to be 65-75 dollars.

I am just saying these things are getting out of hand. I also feel forcing people to pay a 10-15 dollar fee to some triathlon federation is rediculous, too. You get nothing for that!

[cjbruin]

Races are expensive because of all the things that need to be done...swim buoys, life guards, rental fees for transition areas, transition racks, street closures, police, etc. Could they be less expensive? Sure but it is also what the market will bear. Tri's sell out. So why would a race director lower the fee? As for the daily USAT membership, you do actually get something. In my experience, sanctioned races have been better run due to the guidelines and the referees. I had an argument about this with a race director once, but he runs the most dangerous races I've even raced.

I'd like to pay less for races too but I don't see it happening.

[Jimmy Higgins]

I've seen some races that are real expensive now days. The Cleveland Triathlon was charging in the realm of $60+ just for the sprint triathlon!!! :eek: But I guess closing down the Memorial Shoreway isn't cheap.

There are bargin bin races that don't compromise though. You need to search these out. In Ohio, we've got the HFP which has reasonable rates for races.

Sadly, triathlon is a sport where the more well-to-do play in it. If they can afford that $3500 bike, they can afford the entry fee.

[fixedude]

$60? $70? $100? i wish! i am in japan, and the two upcoming olympic tris i am entered in cost 18,000-yen/20,000-yen...around $150-200! (sadly, i do not have a $3500 bike either, nor can i afford one...i am using my old road bike without aero bars and swimming in my regular speedos for pool training. why? because i cannot afford to get geared completely in tri-specific gear, but will still go hard to push myself).

[merlinextraligh]

One major cost is police overtime. Convince your local government that sponsoring the local triathlon, by contributing the police time, would be good economic development, and entry fees could come down. I wouldn't hold my breath though.

[TriBob]

$60 is cheap. I just paid over $100 for a sprint in Philly. It is on the high end around here but most sprints are $85 minimum.

As mentioned, rental costs, permits, police are the major costs.

[cslone]

I signed up for the HFP Sprint series the past two years. HFP is ranked high for the series with a few of their races ranked "Best in the US".

7 races were $140 to sign up in February. Yes, $20 each. That includes a t-shirt and bottle every race, 7 pair of defeet socks and all the food you can eat after the races. Top 3 in each AG get a nice medal too. I think to sign up individually is still only $33 each.

I feel spoiled.

[not2fast]

That is certainly a great deal! Where is the HFP?

[psycofish]

the half I did this year is HFP, a very nice race, Was $80 which is what I feel a half should be... Cleveland's was shooting around $100 for there Olympic

[ken cummings]

I have helped put on some centuries and doubles in remote locations like Bishop, CA and Death Valley. Food and water needs to be hauled hundreds of miles sometimes. Forty foot trucks are not cheap to rent. I drove the trucks for the organization for free but diesel fuel ran into the hundreds. Food and lodging for the volunteers runs the price up. Being TdF time lets use a little French. A Piece de Resistance' was paying the ice dealer in Baker, CA to haul a ton of ice a hundred miles north into Death Valley at night as pass it out to the 4 'manned' water/food stops. He was having so much fun he wanted to know how he could help after the ice ran out. We loaded three heat stressed riders into the refrigerated box on his truck and he hauled them back to the start at Furnace Creek.

A sad expense at events is laying on emergency services. I donated $300 to the local REACT CB team to help at a century in Colorado. They did their thing though dealing with a heart attack case.

[jennings780]

High race fees? Three words: supply and demand.
Tri's are becoming more and more popular. The races fill up even with the high fees. Why should they charge less? The demand is there.

[ktuominen]

Most races here in MN are in the 60-80 dollar range be it sprint or olympic distance. I'm sure in the next 5 years, triple digits will be the rule as supply/demand tops out. I guess as long as it's well run, safe, has adequate hydration opportunities and that ever coveted T shirt, I'll continue to sign up because I love racing. But I'm just a 1-3 race per year guy and these prices are comparable to a round of golf at a nice course (no T shirt provided). And I feel soooo much better after a race then after a round of golf.