Cost of races v Value for money

Bobby1984

From reading a number of threads on here, one of the most discussed topics is the cost of entry to races. Therefore, I thought I would see what people value when it comes to organising a race and what people are willing to pay extra for.

The most common items are listed below so what I would like people to do is to prioritise them by ranking them from 1-9 (where 1 is the most valued and important)

T-shirt
Goodie Bag
Timing chip
Free race photo
Part of entry fee going to charity
Shower facilities
Finishers medal
Race marshals
Post race tea and sambo's


Apologies if I have left out an item which people value when entering a race.

Bobby1984

Might as well go first


1. Timing chip
2. Race marshals
3. Part of entry fee going to charity
4. T-shirt
5. Free race photo
6. Post race tea and sambo's
7. Goodie Bag
8. Shower facilities
9. Finishers medal

Oisin11178

Bobby1984 wrote: »

Might as well go first


1. Timing chip
2. Race marshals
3. Part of entry fee going to charity
4. T-shirt
5. Free race photo
6. Post race tea and sambo's
7. Goodie Bag
8. Shower facilities
9. Finishers medal

In my opinion the only important one of those is number 2. You have both missed the most important point, accuratly measured course. Decent water/nutrition stations would be another. the rest is just gloss to be honest. Dont get me wrong its nice to have all the extra stuff but not essential.

Bobby1984

Oisin11178 wrote: »

In my opinion the only important one of those is number 2. You have both missed the most important point, accuratly measured course. Decent water/nutrition stations would be another. the rest is just gloss to be honest. Dont get me wrong its nice to have all the extra stuff but not essential.

I thought accurately measured would be a given for most races so I didn't include it. It also doesn't add to the cost of organising a race unless it was AAI certified. Decent water/nutrition stations could be put in there alright but are dependant on distance ... not much point having them in a 5K. I know some of the other additions are just a gloss but runners are paying for them as part of their entry fees and I just wanted to see how people value them

corny

Not willing to pay extra for any these but here goes

1. Post race tea and sambo's (always a nice touch)
2. Goodie Bag
3. T-shirt
4. Timing chip
5. Free race photo
6. Race marshals (should be a requisite and not something you pay extra for)
7. Finishers medal
8. Part of entry fee going to charity
9. Shower facilities

911sc

Here is my ranking;)

1. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
2. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
3. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
4. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
5. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
6. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
7. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
8. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"
9. Race marshals looking like "Formula One pit girls"

RoyMcC

Timing chip #1?? Haven't you got a watch? Timing systems are for the convenience of the organisers.

gnu

LOL @ 911sc!

1. Timing chip - because I always forget to check my watch
2. Race marshals - preferably lovely ones like at the St Patrick's 5k! They were really encouraging, helpful and were calling out the times.
3. Finishers medal - ok, I'm new to this so it would be a great novelty! I wouldn't want one for every race but it would be nice to get one for longer distances like a 10 mile or a HM. I was delighted with my Great Ireland Run medal but now I've got it, I wouldn't want another - would prefer the option to pay less and not get a medal.
4. T-shirt - my collection is getting big enough that I don't need any more but they're still nice to get. I'd only want one if it's a good top though, otherwise not worth it at all.
5. Goodie Bag - I get kind of excited to see what's in the bag. Hopefully not just loads of leaflets!
6. Post race tea and sambo's - mmmmm, this should be higher. Once I've done a few more races and am sick of tshirts and have a collection of medals, this will definitely move higher up.:)
7. Part of entry fee going to charity - I feel a bit guilty that this isn't higher but hey, I give to my own favourite charities so my conscience will just have to live with it
8. Free race photo - I wouldn' t mind paying for a photo if I actually looked ok in it
9. Shower facilities - so far this hasn't been an issue as I've only done races relatively close to home and I haven't been going anywhere after the race.

dna_leri

Bobby1984 wrote: »

Therefore, I thought I would see what people value when it comes to organising a race and what people are willing to pay extra for. .

Not willing to pay extra for any of these

1 is essential, 2-4 are nice to have, the rest I can do without.

1. Race marshals
2. Post race tea and sambo's
3. Timing chip
4. Shower facilities
5. T-shirt
6. Part of entry fee going to charity
7. Goodie Bag
8. Free race photo
9. Finishers medal

This is based on 5-10K races, it might be different if I shelled out 60+ squids for a marathon.

huskerdu

1. Race marshals - vital
2. Timing chip - a "nice to have", but a very good "nice to have"

3. Part of entry fee going to charity - Nice - but not a reason to choose a race
4. Post race tea and sambo's- Nice - but not a reason to choose a race

5. Shower facilities - Important to some people, not bothered myself

Completely unimportant excuses to inflate the price

T-shirt
race photo
Goodie Bag
Finishers medal

Kurt Godel

Bobby1984 wrote: »

T-shirt
Goodie Bag
Timing chip
Free race photo
Part of entry fee going to charity
Shower facilities
Finishers medal Winner's medals
Race marshals
Post race tea and sambo's

There seem's to be a growing mentality that all of the above items are necessary for a race. Beside's the marshall's, the rest make no difference to the race, and are frills which add to the day out, that's all. Proper course measurement/marking, start on time, secure bag drop, first aid on hand, volunteers being appreciated by entrants; are all more important.

Pisco Sour

Kurt Godel wrote: »

There seem's to be a growing mentality that all of the above items are necessary for a race. Beside's the marshall's, the rest make no difference to the race, and are frills which add to the day out, that's all. Proper course measurement/marking, start on time, secure bag drop, first aid on hand, volunteers being appreciated by entrants; are all more important.

+1 x 10,0000

hollypink

Kurt Godel wrote: »

There seem's to be a growing mentality that all of the above items are necessary for a race. Beside's the marshall's, the rest make no difference to the race, and are frills which add to the day out, that's all. Proper course measurement/marking, start on time, secure bag drop, first aid on hand, volunteers being appreciated by entrants; are all more important.

I agree with the above - and would add that efficient number/chip collection is also important for me as I've had one or two experiences where despite a relatively short queue, it took ages to collect my number. Ample parking is also important if the race is somewhere not handy for public transport. Would rather not get a t-shirt at all and have a cheaper entry fee, they are always the wrong shape for me. I'm not bothered about goody bags either; some fruit, water and maybe some chocolate at the finish is fine. A cup of tea and some sandwiches/cake afterwards is nice but not essential and I don't think I'd pay extra for it.

Pisco Sour

gnu wrote: »

[*]Finishers medal - ok, I'm new to this so it would be a great novelty! I wouldn't want one for every race but it would be nice to get one for longer distances like a 10 mile or a HM. I was delighted with my Great Ireland Run medal but now I've got it, I wouldn't want another - would prefer the option to pay less and not get a medal.

Just on the medal thing, I can fully understand the appeal, and back when I ran road races I was delighted to receive a medal which was tangible reward for finishing a half marathon and marathon, but taking a step back and removing personal emotions from it, you got to ask, are they really necessary?

You rarely receive medals for finishing a 5K, and you certainly don't get any for finishing a mile or a 200m, so why for the longer distances? Does it not reward mediocrity, and treat all finishers the same, regardless of how fast somebody goes? Should we be promoting healthy competition, and people striving to beat their peers, rather than just giving everybody a medal regardless of how the person performs? It also just re-enforces the general consensus that running longer is better than running fast (short and fast, or long and fast). I think the medals probably should be left for the top 3 in each age category. You dont need a medal to be proud of what you have achieved. The memories will reside in your head. I have a bunch of medals back home, but I'm far prouder of my performances in the last year, for which I have no medals.

Not trying to have a go here, just questioning are the medals really needed. What are people's thoughts? Or maybe this is a discussion for a different thread.

RayCun

04072511 wrote: »

Just on the medal thing, I can fully understand the appeal, and back when I ran road races I was delighted to receive a medal which was tangible reward for finishing a half marathon and marathon,

I think you just answered your own question.
The more you get the less you care about them, but people doing their first 10k or halfs or whatever like the physical symbol of their achievement.
I'm sure the race winners don't care that the other finishers get a medal too, and they're dirt cheap for organisers. Are they needed? Of course not. Do they do any harm? I very much doubt it.

RayCun

Thinking about it, not many races I've done gave out medals.
The Raheny 5 has those plaques, Great Ireland Run has medals, and Donadea 10k had a wooden medal (and a sweatshirt! which I wear all the time pre- and post-races). Dublin marathon, obviously.
Donore's Jingle Bells 5k gives a mug, MSB 5k and Dunshaughlin 10k a cotton t-shirt, Rathfarnham 5k a watch one year, running tops in other years, Sportsworld 5 mile a t-shirt this year, nothing before. BHAA races have given a mug, and a pair of socks this year. Race series give you the t-shirts.

Timmaay

Information of the race beforehand also, the race doesn't need to have a full blown website, but things like the course map, starttimes, prizes (if any) etc.

I would put this up alongside the following:

Good flat quick accurate course

Decent course marking (ie direction of the route and km signs etc).

Efficient registration process (plenty of signs to show you where to go, then you should be able to get your number from a desk with no hassle and major queues)

Race marshals/officials who do a proper job!

All the rest on the list are just excess, if you get a nice tshirt, or decent food afterwards, thats all well and good, but race organizers should not skimp on the above!

Bugsy2000

RayCun wrote: »

I think you just answered your own question.
The more you get the less you care about them, but people doing their first 10k or halfs or whatever like the physical symbol of their achievement.
I'm sure the race winners don't care that the other finishers get a medal too, and they're dirt cheap for organisers. Are they needed? Of course not. Do they do any harm? I very much doubt it.

I'd also ask the following question to go along with your two Ray;

Does anyone do anything with their medals bar stuff them in a drawer where they are never seen again until the spring clean when they are dumped in the bin to make way for more medals?

RayCun

Mine usually end up in the toy box, the kids play with them for a while after the race. The plaques are completely pointless, the mugs sometimes get used, cotton t-shirts end up as nightdresses or dusters...
The marathon medals are the only ones I'd keep. The running tops and the Dunshaughlin sweatshirt are the only other things worth hanging on to.

Then again, I'm sure there are people on boards (Oisin, Aimman...?) who'd be sick of marathon medals too because they have so many.

Jogging Newbie

I am currently foing the Pat Finnerty Memorial league in Mullingar - just over 21 mins for the 5k. They have races every wed night in may and it was €25 for the 5 races. I thought that was tremendous value - and I looked through the results and saw that over 600 others did too. The organising club are giving money to a local charity from the proceeds which I think is a good community touch. I like events like this that give good value for money - whether its a medal/tshirt/cheap entry etc doesn't really matter to me. I just like to get value.

Slogger Jogger

Kurt Godel wrote: »

There seem's to be a growing mentality that all of the above items are necessary for a race. Beside's the marshall's, the rest make no difference to the race, and are frills which add to the day out, that's all. Proper course measurement/marking, start on time, secure bag drop, first aid on hand, volunteers being appreciated by entrants; are all more important.

+1. No 1 for me is a nice and potentially challenging route. Also, trusted organisers who do a job well- I am a return visitor to certain organisers events as a result. The rest of the above list is padding and unessential IMO. Many races I do don't need marshalls. Its up to the top of the hill and back.

ultraman1

Bobby1984 wrote: »

I thought accurately measured would be a given for most races so I didn't include it. It also doesn't add to the cost of organising a race unless it was AAI certified.

whether the race organiser decides to apply to AAI for a permit on foot of of a measurement cert supplied by by an AAI course measurer,he still has to be paid for his time and expences, which usually are dearer than the price of a permit..

gnu

04072511 wrote: »

Just on the medal thing, I can fully understand the appeal, and back when I ran road races I was delighted to receive a medal which was tangible reward for finishing a half marathon and marathon, but taking a step back and removing personal emotions from it, you got to ask, are they really necessary?

You rarely receive medals for finishing a 5K, and you certainly don't get any for finishing a mile or a 200m, so why for the longer distances? Does it not reward mediocrity, and treat all finishers the same, regardless of how fast somebody goes? Should we be promoting healthy competition, and people striving to beat their peers, rather than just giving everybody a medal regardless of how the person performs? It also just re-enforces the general consensus that running longer is better than running fast (short and fast, or long and fast). I think the medals probably should be left for the top 3 in each age category. You dont need a medal to be proud of what you have achieved. The memories will reside in your head. I have a bunch of medals back home, but I'm far prouder of my performances in the last year, for which I have no medals.

Not trying to have a go here, just questioning are the medals really needed. What are people's thoughts? Or maybe this is a discussion for a different thread.

I agree with you - they're not necessary at all! I never really thought about them as rewarding mediocrity. For me a finisher's medal is just a nice bit of bling as a souvenir, not at all in the same category as a prize for placing. I'd prefer to win aan actual prize of course, no matter how rubbish it was but for now I'll take what I can get! You're right about the memories too, but I think for people like me who can hardly believe they managed to finish a race, the medal (or any souvenir really) is a nice thing to have. I look at mine in amazement and even if it's a bit sad, I'm genuinely proud of it and feel I earned it. I'm not attached to the idea of medals - I think I'd actually prefer the mug idea as it'd get a lot of use (and more opportunities for congratulating myself! ) It'll be interesting to see if/how my attitude changes when I've raced a lot more.

Bugsy2000 wrote: »

I'd also ask the following question to go along with your two Ray;

Does anyone do anything with their medals bar stuff them in a drawer where they are never seen again until the spring clean when they are dumped in the bin to make way for more medals?

I had a couple from a few years ago that were shoved in a box of junk but I brought them out after this year's Great Ireland Run and hung them all up. I think they'll probably all migrate to a new box of junk eventually but for now I like to look at them.:)