…I think I know what race you’re talking about in NJ!
Truth is, the pricing system was WAY in the athletes favor when registration opened last November. That $145 race was $55 on opening day. Some 300+ took advantage of it. Steadily though the year we build in price increases as a way to get the athlete to click the “submit” button. But, that race, Tri the Wildwoods, is an animal unto it’s own. Do you know how many people signed up just two weeks prior to the race, at the full price of $145?..over 300. That’s insane. As a RD, I want my athletes early, not late. I want to know how many are coming so I can be better prepared as well as have a longer dialogue through the summer ie training opportunities, information regarding the race, and to allow them to get to know who they are entrusting with their investment.
There are a whole host of other reasons why a sprint race would cost that much. The Wildwood event takes place in August along the southern Jersey shore. For that event to be great we CLOSE the roads so cyclists are guaranteed safety. We’re talking 30 intersections all staffed to the nines. We have a professional traffic company come in to do the road closures that extends to the causeway which connects the mainland to the island…that costs big bucks. Why can’t we do it ourselves? #1 the city used to do it, but now, in our litigious society they do not want the liability AND we are not licensed and insured to close roads or cone off streets ourselves. Seriously. In order to do so in North Wildwood you must follow MUTCD standards and we do not have the qualifications to do this. When I started the race in 2004…I didn’t even have a permit!
I have been doing this for only 12 years, and I have found that if you are going to produce a race at the highest level possible, you are going to spend a lot of money in doing so. For example, I shut down major highways, causeways, and rent huge ferry’s not to mention produce these events in heavily populated areas during peak tourism season…not your run of the mill $65 entry fee type of stuff.
One more thing, when I started doing this in 2004 there were 2-4 races per month in Southern New Jersey. Now, there are 2-4 races per weekend. That left me 2 choices: join the herd and just produce a local race…totally cool, nothing wrong with it. Or, decide to try and make a mark in the tri world, try to produce an event(s) that gave our tri community something to be proud of. I chose to take a shot at going big or going home. So far, it has worked, but I am absolutely aware of the limits placed on athletes and their wallets and from what I can sense from them they are very appreciative of the attention to detail, the paramount attention we give to their safety, and the overall experience of being a part of a great event.
But, I can’t lie. I did my first race in 2 years this summer…and it was free. Manland Tri, Stone Harbor, NJ. 55 people off the back deck of Buzz’s house…and it was amazing.