Ours is just a simple sport. If you have a spare hour, you can be out of the door running in five minutes. Why then, is it becoming so much more expensive? An article in the recent Fellrunner lampooning the perceived kit needs of modern day runners as compared with the Bob Graham 'pumps and singlet' days, led me to consider the rising costs of entering races. What constitutes value for money nowadays?
Please indulge me to mention just one nostalgic memory. Tour of Tameside 1980: double marathon, 6 races in 7 days: free commemorative vest, medal, final day presentation with free buffet and free bar: £5. There is a rumour that this great event might be reprised when the Metrolink is finished. If so the guide price would be a £1 per kilometre.
Whilst researching for this piece, I just chose several races at random to see how much it would cost to enter. Great Manchester Run (£39), Great North Run (£49), Wilmslow Half (£30), Saunders Mountain Marathon (£88 per pair), OMM (£112 per pair), Lakeland Trail Races (£24 early bird entry each race or £175 for the series - this is a special price mind for the 1st 100 only :-)). All these races are very popular: even at the expensive price, there is a bit of a scrum to get in races like these. Pre-entry is de rigeur these days (online, at an additional cost of course). Entering months in advance inevitably ends with many not making the start line and getting even partial refunds is not always possible.
Looking at the entry list for the Puma Stockport 10, I noticed a significant proportion of unattached runners who would also be required, if they were honest, to pay the extra affiliation fee. I don't want to get into the UK Athletics debate here, but this will inevitably lead to rising costs. I do hope that many of these runners will eventually join clubs because, for me, they are the lifeblood of the sport in this country. Park Runs are extremely very good value of course and hopefully will tempt more runners to join up also.
I do like races which show creativity and initiative. For example, thanks to Sikobe, my entry fee for the recent Gravy Pud race was a box of chilli buns. The Cake Race from Diggle is comparatively cheap to enter and then you get to pig out on a selection of delicious culinary offerings at the end. For my Christmas Fell Race in days gone by (oops, sorry again for mentioning the past!) I nicked an idea from Dark Peak for those taking part to bring a prize as entry and take a prize at the end.
More and more runners these days seem to be entering LDWA events or charity hikes at a reasonable cost as compared with say the Lakeland Trail races. Events like the Grindleford Gallop and the Toddy Boundary offer runners the chance to stretch their legs often with food and drinks stations provided.
So then on to my to top 3 value for money races. The recent Puma Stockport 10 was £15 to enter but was a brilliantly organised race by a friendly club. Chip timing, technical long-sleeved top, goody bag, music, race commentary. For me it compares well with similar road races at twice the price. In second place, I have gone for the Famous Grouse. For just £2 you get to enjoy some of the best fell running on the local scene. Top of my list however has to be the South East Lancs XC League. 4 tough eyeballs out races for £4 and plenty of muddy competition.
These are just my views however. What do you think?
I totally agree Nev. It seems like a lot of road races are just an opportunity to make money, rather than to organise a great race.
ReplyDeleteTaking the Greater Manchester Marathon for example, £39 a head, 8000 entrants = 312,000. I fail to see how that money was invested in the race with the vast number of volunteers and poor quality race village (not to mention the loss of peoples baggage). Obviously the race insurance will be expensive and paying the police to close roads, but someone made a lot of money that day.