I can’t be the only one who thinks registration fees are out of control. I’m looking at the City of Los Angeles Triathlon as a possible even I want to do later in the year. Well, I was, until I saw the registration fee of $150 for a sprint distance triathlon! Yes, $150 for a SPRINT DISTANCE!! That’s freaking ridiculous! Oh wait, if I sign up in the next 5 days, for an event in September, I only have to pay $125. Who makes this stuff up and why do people pay it? Yea, I know, insurance costs are ridiculously high. So somebody please explain why there’s a waiver that has to be signed. Seriously, what is the deal??
Bottom line: The stuff is expensive to put on and it has to be worth someone’s while to do it- so they have to turn a profit. I have no issues with that.
$125 is steep for a sprint race unless it is killer.
Bag the LA tri and go to a San Diego Triathlon Club race instead. Free and the competion is still enough to completely kick my ass. There are several per year, sprint distance.
Bag the LA tri and go to a San Diego Triathlon Club race instead. Free and the competion is still enough to completely kick my ass. There are several per year, sprint distance.
That’s what I do. Tri Club of San Diego monthly races.
I just got a flyer for a Sprint at Mission Bay. 400m swim; 9 mile bike; 5k run. That barely even qualifies as excercise.
Seventy bucks for less than a hour of racing. You have got to be kidding me.
I totally agree that entry fees seem to be getting out of control. After 15 years in the sport, I have seen the fees rise from around 25-35 USD to now approaching 80 USD for the average OD race. While there may be perfectly logical and economical reasons for this, I can’t help but think how counterproductive this is in terms of introducing new people to the sport. We already have an image of being a sport for the affluent. These high entry fees will make us even more exclusive. I understand the high costs for the high profile races like M dots, Wildflower, etc. These are races that you might really want to experience once in a while and are ready to pay the extra cash. The thing that bothers me are the seemingly high prices for the local sprints and OD races. These prices are starting to resemble the high profile races. I am sure that race directors had the same costs issues 5-10 years ago that they do now, so I don’t totally buy into the argument that this type of money is required to put on a race. Maybe I’m wrong but it seems days of racing 7-10 events per summer may be over for some and that’s a shame.
As an occasional race director, I can honestly say this:
Partially supply and demand, mostly gouging. “If it’ll fill up at $140, it’ll fill up at $180.”
But then again, any guy racing 17 mph on a $5000 bike is already used to getting fleeced.
And insurance is dirt cheap, thanks to USAT (the only thing they’re good for).
b
You should come up and do a few tris in Ontario. A typical sprint is $50. an Oly $60. and 1/2 IM is $80. All fees are quoted in CDN mini-dollars so works out about 25% less if converted to US dollars.
I don’t no why CDN races are cheaper than US. Probably because of differences in the legal systems makes it more likely to be sued in the US.
Wouldn’t mind doing a race or two in Canada. What’s a good website for a race calendar?
Jim
A typical race where I live costs around 10-25 dollars if you’re registered to the organization (depending on your age). The registration to the organization costs about 60 dollars.
If you’re not registered, it’s gonna cost you around 30-50 dollars per race (again, depending on your age).
Jim,
It’s a big country. Which province are you thinking of?
where in Ontario? would that make a nice long weekend minivacation kind of thing?
To quote Jack Caress himself, the dude in charge of Pacific Sports LLC, “The “deal” is lifeguard fees for the LA Triathlon are $16,000. A typical event runs anywhere from $800 to $1500. Police security costs are in excess of $100,000 including equipment for the course. These are just starters. Your comment on USAT is completely in error. They have the highest priced insurance by nearly triple. To cut the fees in half would require a gigantic sponsor or some major reductions in fees by the city and county.”
I still think the fees are ridiculous and it’s ashame. It’s time for me to start looking for other events.
We already have an image of being a sport for the affluent. These high entry fees will make us even more exclusive.
I sometimes wonder out-loud if that is by design or effect.
“I don’t no why CDN races are cheaper than US.”
CDN races are cheaper because Canadians are poorer. Since average incomes in Canada trail the US by about 25% I would expect triathlons to be about 25% cheaper. In other words, based on the incomes of the two countries, Canadian and US races are priced at about the same level.
“Canadians are poorer”
Actually incomes are about the same as are prices give and take some items. The dollar is valued different but what costs $1.00 US costs about $1.25 CDN. It balances out.
Your confusing a different valued dollar with actual purchasing power.
You are correct - fees for some races are way too high.
Take a look at HFP Racing - www.hfpracing.com - they put on excellent races and the fees are reasonable.
I realize some high profile venues (city races) cause races to cost more - but things are out of control.
Here’s the Ontario schedule:
According to World Bank data, on a purchasing power parity basis (i.e. what Canadians can buy versus what Americans can buy), US GNP per capita is 28% higher in the US than in Canada.
Details for the LA Tri. I did this (Olympic) race the first 2 years and it’s a nice race, but not $150, $135 or even $125 nice. That is wayyy to expensive to pay for a t-shirt.
Ahhhh, the old days… call the rd the day before the race and ask “what time will the race start?”, he would ask, “what time can you be there?”, show up on race day, sign up, pay the $35 - $45 and have a grand time.
LA TRI - Olympic Distance
$125 until 3/31/04
$135 until 8/31/04
$150 9/1/04 until race day
LA TRI - Sprint Distance
$115 until 6/1/04
$125 until 8/31/04
$140 9/1/04 until race day