I just got an email from the Lavaman race offering a special early registration rate of $155. In one month, it goes up to $180. This race is not until next April.
I looked at a few other “destination” races (wildflower, lifetime fitness) and while their late registration prices approach that, $120-130 seems to be more typical, which is in line with other oly races in Hawaii (Honolulu, Kings Trail, TinMan).
Great triathlon, but really, since when do Olympic distance races cost $180?
that is getting screwed. In australia for an OD its generally around $100AUD(~87US dollars at the moment, generally 75 tho)
Tell me about it. Just sample a few race fees on Long Island. Total rip off as far as I’m concerned.
I am afraid that instead of seeing races as a service to local folks or even as advertising for one’s town, cities now see races as cash cows. The prices for permits and paying city personnel overtime on a four hour minimum for help at the race probaby cuts pretty deep.
The only race around here that is VERY steep is the one that you swim across the delaware river. One year 94 people had to be rescued, so the permit fee naturally went up. Of course it’s also what makes the race really cool.
I think the dc tri is also pretty steep, but for that one working with the numberours bureaucrats to get it done must be an absolute nightmare where fealty must be paid at several departments in the local anf fed government.
There is only one force driving up the price, and that’s the market force. If people are willing to pay $180 for a race fee, then race fees will be $180.
I’m with you, and my suspicion with this specific race is that due to the large component of TNTers they feel like they can just arbitrarily set the price high as the cost is hidden from those folks anyway.
That is INSANITY! $180 USD for an Oly??? I don’t care if it’s in Hawaii where many consumer goods are more expensive because they are shipped in. Sand, roads, water, beer, sports drink, post-race goodies…HI has it all.
Who hosts/owns/directs this race Kelly Beck?
I got out of golf bc my green fees used to be 75 dollars a year at a nice course in nowhere midwestville and it is 1000+ here in the west. There are half irons in the midwest around 60 bucks, i will do three of those any day over a 180 olympic. I am 24 and have not been able to do many races due to the fees and travel and it sucks bc it is becoming more elitist then it needs to be. Cant wait to move back to the midwest where the nice house out in the country on a couple of acres was appraised at $24,000 (yes 5 digits)
But, I am sure happier having what I do.
Dave
Can we agree on this…ALL FEES ARE OUT OF CONTROL: OLYMPIC, SPRINT, ETC.? And I am tired of it!!! I have probably spent close to 1000.00 dollars just on fees this summer!
Yeah, because it’s so much more satisfying being the fastest of people that are willing to spend $15K then just being the fastest.
Not.
Pat
Yep, not to you, but sure is to me.
Dave
The smiley face means you’re kidding, right?
Pat
No, he’s not. Just remember that when you lap in on his Zed99s.
Does Kelly Beck run this race?!?!?!?
I just do not seem to understand your hate? Most of the faster guys who went to nationals and kicked my butt
are going. So, what do you call them? Emilio is going, what do you call him? How about Dean Harper?
Did you go to nationals? We all know this sport is NOT cheap, and if one gets good enough to be lucky and qualify for events
overseas, it takes a step function in expenses. So, what is your point? None of us going earned it?
Dave
I think maybe you’re overreacting. I don’t say this out of hate but bewilderment. I’m going to world’s for duathlon this year and take no pride in it. I had to be top 3 out of 2. Whoopde frickindo. Your place in nationals was certainly an achievement. Congrats for that. But actually admitting that you would have joy or pride or achievement in a place that limited people by factors outside the reality of racing is weird to me. So when I place well @ a race I look to see who I raced, and usually realize that the fast folks weren’t there.
That’s all.
Pat
Yep, Martin, I be the only 1/1000, but I care, my family cares, and my friends care. Going to have the time of my life
with all the other 1/1000 who care about ITU AG Worlds and representing our courtry.
Dave
It is your call what you take pride in. Maybe you are one of the lucky ones that results in sports
came easy. For some of us, this has never been the case. So yes, I am as proud about going to
worlds as anyone going to Kona. You sure will never see me ripping ANYONE for results, no matter how
tiny some on ST may think they are. Hope you have fun at worlds.
Dave
What a deal (not!).
Makes me wonder why bother. My wife I just did 7 (count them, seven) crits last weekend between the two of us. Total registration for 7 races was the same $180. Add in the fact that we covered our registration AND hotel with the race payouts (and this is in Cat 4) and I have to wonder the logic of the triathlon pricing model, versus the cycling model. I guess if people keep paying to race then the triathlon RD’s can do whatever they want. I’m finding it really hard to justify myself…