Sure most big races have cash for pros or top finishers, but why do 95% (guess) of local races not have cash purses? it seems that most, if all cycling races have cash or merch for every category. what is different about the costs,insurance, fees, permits etc between the two sports that allows cycling to offer $ to every category, yet tri almost never does. in fact, over the last 15 years i've noticed that local tri's don't even have prizes for winners or AG winner any more. most moved to raffling off whatever swag they have, and now most just do finisher medals or t-shirts and no prizes whatsoever. here's a clipping from a local bike race in april. not big, probably get as many participants as a regular sized local tri (200-300 maybe?) Police detail will be involved, they will be using the roads for at least 6 hours. how do they afford almost 5k in cash prizes with entry fees less than a sprint?
CATEGORY START TIME DISTANCE PRIZES FEE
Cat 4/5 8:00 AM 33 miles $300 $55
Cat 4/5 40+ 8:05 AM 33 miles $300 $55
Jr 18 and under 8:10 AM 33 miles $75 $10
40+ Cat 1-4 10:00 AM 55 miles $750 $60
50+ Cat 1-4 10:05 AM 55 miles $750 $60
60+ 10:08 AM 44 miles $500 $55
Pro Cat 1-3 1:00 PM 77 miles $750 $60
Women Pro Cat 1-3 1:05 PM 55 miles $750 $60
Women 4/5 1:10 PM 33 miles $300 $55
CATEGORY START TIME DISTANCE PRIZES FEE
Cat 4/5 8:00 AM 33 miles $300 $55
Cat 4/5 40+ 8:05 AM 33 miles $300 $55
Jr 18 and under 8:10 AM 33 miles $75 $10
40+ Cat 1-4 10:00 AM 55 miles $750 $60
50+ Cat 1-4 10:05 AM 55 miles $750 $60
60+ 10:08 AM 44 miles $500 $55
Pro Cat 1-3 1:00 PM 77 miles $750 $60
Women Pro Cat 1-3 1:05 PM 55 miles $750 $60
Women 4/5 1:10 PM 33 miles $300 $55