Agreed. For some of us (h20fun, myself), USAT provided a lot. But, we're participating in Nationals and Worlds and "enjoy" (for lack of a better word) the rankings. Nothing wrong there.

But for a majority of participants, especially the weekend warriors, they may not even know what USAT is or what it does. Two recent examples.

Two weekends ago, I did a small USAT sanctioned sprint triathlon in semi-rural Maine. 68 individuals and six relay teams participated. The LAST finisher was a 25 year old guy who rode a knobby wheeled mountain bike. I chatted with his mother while waiting for him to finish. This was his first triathlon and he was out to have fun. Given the size of the race, he actually placed first in his AG. When he received his award, he had the biggest smile on his face and received the loudest applause. I doubt he knew what USAT was even though he paid them $15 when he entered.

I raced the Draft Legal Duathlon in Bend. Coming up to the finish area, I passed a young guy who was definitely in pain. I met him hiding in the shade after the race and chatted. He was 19 years old and a Harvard undergrad. He specialized in track cycling and was not a runner but decided to race for the experience. This was his first duathlon and he said he had a blast. Again, other than being the host, I doubt he knew what USAT was.

Perhaps participation in the sport hasn't dropped, but rather from races you pay for, which used to be half the cost. I am seeing many groups here in SD setting up their own races. Cost is free, just bring something for potluck BBQ after. People 'white elephant' prizes they got from other fitness events to award the winner. Timing is ghetto... Cellphone timer and a clipboard to write times down. Many of these people hate triathletes due to elitist nature, but do want to participate

are you also okay with somebody else coming in and providing sanctioning/membership/insurance services to RDs at lower prices?

Well, people do it for Kona (but triple the money) and 70.3 WC (but another 50% more money)...

So yea, it's a solid model.

the quickest way for USAT to lose support of every strategic partner they have is to get into the various businesses of the rest of the industry. USAT started down this path about 7 years ago and it got an earful (i was in the room) from every major stakeholder.

everybody - registration companies, race directors, media, and others - honors USAT's place as the once national governing body deserving of shelter from competition. but that's only as good as USAT's performance of its job, and its reciprocal decision not to compete with the industry that does not compete with it. one USAT decides its going to get into every bit of business it wants, then its open season on the revenue stream USAT enjoys.

One thing to consider from the RD side. If they roll the fees into the registration their race is going to appear more expensive to enter.

If people have a choice between a race costing $245 but with hidden fees(but coming out to $275 after fees) and $275 inclusive they'll probably consider the first race a less expensive option even though the cost is ultimately the same.

The perception of the cost of race 2 is higher.

Do RD's want to take the risk of driving people away by wrapping the fees in? Or do they want to appear less expensive and make the bad guy the registration company?

IIRC FFBoots did this for one/some of his races. Someone more energetic than I can search the archives if they want to find out what happened to his registration #'s.

The entry fee to our SwimRun NC race is $350 for a team of 2. Basically $175 per athlete for a memorable race that last 4 to 6 hours depending how fast you are. There is no registration fee added on, we eat it (pay it from your registration), no additional insurance (again gets pulled from your entry fee), and we do not charge you for race photos either.

Herbert

If active is ditched, all other similar registration processing sites tack on the stupid processing fees. Has something to do with credit card companies. Now I'm not sure, but I think papal avoids this exorbitant fee.

As for USAt, with decline in partipants you need to cut staff and salaries as well. Lean out more... that stupid magazine with repetitive info every year, it's as if they have an AI bot printing it

What value is there to the athletes? I would expect bike/run distances as advertised to be on point, if not more for margin of error

No one "eats" it. Are you saying the event loses real money? No way.

I came in second in my age group at NYC Triathlon this weekend. I went to the Awards Ceremony where they made a big deal about being able to sign up on the spot for the “Championship” next year. I talked to a few other people and it didn’t seem to me like they were going to have a single taker across any of the age groups. Do they really think they are going to turn the NYC Triathlon into the Kona of Olympic distance? That people are going to fork over $300+ on the spot for a race 12 months away. It’s ridiculous. I think this is going to be an abysmal failure. I won’t even take my chances and sign up through the lottery for next year, and I’ve done it 3 years in a row. Like USAT said, if I can’t get a USAT score that will help me make All American, then I just as soon find a different local Olympic distance race where I can.

You are not paying attention. This could easily be a fee that we add on for the racers to pay, but we choose not to do it. No one said anything about losing money.

Will I see you in Penticton?
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I though that you only do USAT events.

NYC is a terrible place for a triathlon Championship. Now if they put on a duathlon Championship there, that would be awesome.