Tri-entry fees.. where does all the money go?

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve just done a couple of tris so I admittedly don’t have much experience, but I was wondering where all the money goes? I’ve yet to see an event with prize money except for one that had a family doing a memorial prize. The RD’s have tons of sponsors (at least by the looks of the bike rag, I mean race shirt) and we pay $60 for a sprint. Don’t get me started about the escalating $10 late fees.

When I raced on the road there were $20-30 entries and $1000-5000+ prize lists. Granted this was pro 1-2. I’m not suggesting that a beginner get paid anything but I surprised there is very little money in it for the elite guys. Is this just a matter of Triathletes will pay for anything (ie $5000 bikes to ride 17mph)?

Just curious.

BTW before I get flamed about not ever promoting a race, I directed a time trials series for 4 years (with prize money) helped with road races and multi day stage races…

2

It obviously goes into the race director’s pocket. You shouldn’t support that criminal level of capitalism. You’d be wise to quit triathlons and go back to the pure, noble sport of bike racing.

Greg.

3

don’t know, but it while we are asking questions. When there is a sprint and a longer distance on the same day why is the sprint cheaper? Isn’t it being subsidized in a way by the longer course guys? Same permits, police, porto pots etc?

4

It obviously goes into the race director’s pocket. You shouldn’t support that criminal level of capitalism. You’d be wise to quit triathlons and go back to the pure, noble sport of bike racing.

Greg.
Agreed. Those filthy criminals … taking your hard-earned money and stretching every last penny to provide you with a reasonable race experience. Those athletes that work so hard at an amateur sport, getting taken to the cleaners on a $200 prize purse. $100 per entrant, with 500 entrants? The RD must be pocketing nearly $50k. We should publicly crucify those scumbag RDs as we would any capitalist vulture, a la bank execs, mfg CEOs, and Madoff-types.

5

I look at it from the angle of whether I’d attempt to put on a race for the money that typically comes in. Let’s take a small sprint, say 200 people at $60, for a total revenue of $12,000. Would I be willing to obtain permits, put up a web site, hire an on-line registration service, buy participant shirts (and other give-aways), coordinate a crew of volunteers, rent (or buy) transition fencing, bike racks, hire a timing service, rent PA equipment, hire lifeguards, rent (or buy) swim buoys, set up a course, rent port-a-johns, hire police officers to direct traffic, buy some post race food and beverages, have A/G and O/A awards? I wouldn’t go anywhere near that for the money.

Even an IM event, at 2000 people X $500 for a total of $1,000,000 I’d be hesitant to touch, as the level of coordination escalates to where you have year round effort required, including paid staff, In addition to all the expenses a sprint has, you’re also renting grandstands, tv cameras and jumbotrons, lights, pre-race banquets, volunteer banquets, Hawaii slots - hell, I can’t even imagine what else there is. If I were given $1,000,000 and a year to put on an IM race for 2000+ people, I wouldn’t be planning my retirement party any time soon.

6

I never said that the RD shouldn’t be able to make some money. As I stated before, I’ve been there and quite frankly it is pretty thankless job. I was just trying to get a better handle on where the money goes. 5k’s are even worse in my opinion. $30 entry=$10/mile. I still do them occasionally though.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on the true costs. I should’ve have just expected the sarcasm, after all it is ST. But, who knows I might consider trying to promote one myself.

7

don’t know, but it while we are asking questions. When there is a sprint and a longer distance on the same day why is the sprint cheaper? Isn’t it being subsidized in a way by the longer course guys? Same permits, police, porto pots etc?
A very valid question…

8

I asked an RD this question and he told me I had a nice bike and it would be a shame if something happened to it.

9

the sponsors probably provide very little money, or even none, and instead just support or some free support or products.

often the event supports some cause, so money would go there

money would go to rent or secure rights to the location, lake, transition area, police to secure the roads, timing equiment and personell, and on and on

I never said that the RD shouldn’t be able to make some money. As I stated before, I’ve been there and quite frankly it is pretty thankless job. I was just trying to get a better handle on where the money goes. 5k’s are even worse in my opinion. $30 entry=$10/mile. I still do them occasionally though.

I was hoping someone could shed some light on the true costs. I should’ve have just expected the sarcasm, after all it is ST. But, who knows I might consider trying to promote one myself.

10

Elite guys (i.e. Pro) do get paid. i.e. Potts, Reed, Macca, Crowie etc.

The excess money for the race I’m helping with goes to Charity.

11

here’s an idea of where the money goes - http://www.slowtwitch.com/RD_Aids/Your_race_budget_369.html
.

12

Probably the best break-down anywhere:

http://www.trisportcanada.com/entryfees.php
.

13

Understand that… Does anyone know how much the insurance from USAT/ entry? It was pretty minimal from USA Cycling… $2/entry or something like that. I’m guessing it is much higher due to the swim?

I’m coming from a completely different background here, but I know we used to race quite a bit of money for the local club with the little stage race we did. 3 days, 3 events, 3 different venues and a total purse for everyone of around 5k. So small potatoes really.

This is an expensive sport. It would be awesome to see some of the top guys rewarded for their efforts and offset the cost of their fast toys and maybe even make it more competitive?

14

I look at it from the angle of whether I’d attempt to put on a race for the money that typically comes in. Let’s take a small sprint, say 200 people at $60, for a total revenue of $12,000. Would I be willing to obtain permits, put up a web site, hire an on-line registration service, buy participant shirts (and other give-aways), coordinate a crew of volunteers, rent (or buy) transition fencing, bike racks, hire a timing service, rent PA equipment, hire lifeguards, rent (or buy) swim buoys, set up a course, rent port-a-johns, hire police officers to direct traffic, buy some post race food and beverages, have A/G and O/A awards? I wouldn’t go anywhere near that for the money.

Even an IM event, at 2000 people X $500 for a total of $1,000,000 I’d be hesitant to touch, as the level of coordination escalates to where you have year round effort required, including paid staff, In addition to all the expenses a sprint has, you’re also renting grandstands, tv cameras and jumbotrons, lights, pre-race banquets, volunteer banquets, Hawaii slots - hell, I can’t even imagine what else there is. If I were given $1,000,000 and a year to put on an IM race for 2000+ people, I wouldn’t be planning my retirement party any time soon.

But the sponsors kick in a substantial sum for any race, so you can not look at it from a purely “race entry fee” perspective. Also, consider that many of the people working on race day are volunteers. There are a lot more to the numbers than just entry fees.

15

But the sponsors kick in a substantial sum for any race, so you can not look at it from a purely “race entry fee” perspective
False. WTC and NAS may be one thing…but are you really foolish enough to think that sponsors are tossing cash at even mid sized events like GFT and TTT? We could only get so lucky.

16

You say you didn’t expect sarcasm? Did you read your first post before you sent it? Some of your statements/questions are just stupid and begging for extreme responses.

Greg.

17

You say you didn’t expect sarcasm? Did you read your first post before you sent it? Some of your statements/questions are just stupid and begging for extreme responses.

Greg.
I expected sarcasm because this is ST. However I’m not sure what stupid question you are referring to. I simply asked where the money was going and comparing that to the background that I have. I am not at all surprised that I got some intelligent answers as well as some very helpful links.

18

TT, even a 40k needs no where near the support - nor insurance as even the shortest Tri.

19

I’m just saying I wouldn’t attempt it based on the ratio of money out to money in.

20

I’m just saying I wouldn’t attempt it based on the ratio of money out to money in.
That is fair to say. The guys that do successfully put together races know how to squeeze them for all they are worth. I wouldn’t venture there myself either.