I’m calling fowl (sorry, couldn’t resist) on tomorrow’s turkey trot. It’s just a local one right here in the center of my very own town. I’ve run it many times before. The first year it was a trail race through driving sleet. In subsequent years it ran through town and finished under our covered bridge. Cute, yes?
This race has grown in popularity. It’s been selling out weeks ahead of time and IMO, it’s waaaaay overcrowded with 3,000 runners. So crowded in fact, that after last year, I decided no more. But friends don’t let friends turkey trot alone, so when Wendy and Sara wanted to run it this year, how could I resist?
So I signed up. For the 8k this time. Hurricane MIL’s in town, remember? I’ll take all the run I can get. I was shocked though to find the 5k was up to $40 The 8k $44. PLUS the signup fee added about four bucks more. An almost $45 5k? I get that RnR races and those in large cities are pricey. But I’m paying almost $50 for a super local 8k??
Ironically a turkey trot this weekend by the very same race organizer in a neighboring suburb is nowhere near as popular or as pricey (there’s even a mail-in option that saves the processing fee), even though the swag is identical. Wait no. The cheaper race has a finishers medal to boot!
I see this morning that my pricey local race has indeed sold out. But not weeks ahead as it has previously. Hmmmmm…..do you think some runners may have hit their price threshold?
What price are you willing to pay for a local 5k? What’s the most you’ve paid? One more day for my giveaway!
Oh I have to agree with you on this one. I recently ran the Richmond 8k during their marathon weekend, but the $40 price tag , because I registered late, was worth it. They had a nice medal, awesome tech shirt that is long sleeve and great after race food and beverages. I do think local races should be cheaper. $44 seems way too steep for a local turkey trot. We paid $25 for our Toys for Tots turkey trot and will receive a nice long sleeve festive shirt! And it benefits Toys for Tots, win win in my book!
That seems a bit ridiculous. But, I see the same thing happening where I live. I think they could at least offer a tiered entry where you can pick and choose your extras (medals, shirts, etc). Running is more popular than ever, and the 5K is at the top of the heap. Supply and Demand I guess…
I was kind of surprised about the fee for such a small race. But when I ran the Stampede 10k in AH, I think that was about $35/40 dollars too.
I didn’t realize..3000 runners? Hopefully most of them are doing the 5k…
I limit it to $25 dollars if I can, I have to budget my race’s in for the year so for any 5ks that I choose to run have to fit into that budget after everything else is paid for.
Wendy that fee was not there last year. The price was lower too. Supply and demand I guess…
I think the most that I have paid for a 5k is $35 or $40 and they didn’t have any real swag or finishers medals! I just paid $65 for a local half marathon but not only is there finishers medals, you also get a really nice long sleeve quarter zip sweatshirt!!! Totally worth it for something like that!
That is insane! My friend lives in a teeny town in Nebraska and her Thanksgiving Day race was similarly priced. Yes, the proceeds sometimes benefit a local charity but these are family events. How can a family afford to spend $160 on a race? I know I can’t. I really balk at paying more than $25 for a 5K, especially if it’s local.
I agree. I understand race fees. HOWEVER, I wil pay more for smaller local if I know the charity and feel it is fair to give them my money. I would MUCH rather give them my money than huge races that are for profit. you know that often these charity runs hire a large chain running store to do their registration and they take a cut. Which I think is sort of jerky…but it is hard to find small races that don’t cost a lot. I have been very choosy over the years which I do as I can only afford a few. Some of the bigger ones (or privately owned series) I volunteer for in order to get free entry. Most times like many of your readers say it is all about the perceived value of what one gets for the run!
Our local Turkey Trot is like $25, and you get a long-sleeved (cotton) Tshirt. I opted to not Turkey Trot this year. I’m not really feeling it for racing right now. I’ll just run (for free) on the trails that morning.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
If we sign up early enough, our local Turkey Trot is $25 individual/$85 family, which isn’t horrible, though it too has become way too crowded.
WOW! That is a lot for such a small race. I notice too that as races get bigger, the price goes up. I think that is ridiculous. You should be offering more if you want us to pay more. I usually will only pay about $30 max for a 5K unless there is some other incentive.
Way too pricey for a local race in my opinion. I have seen some prices creeping up around here too – supply and demand I guess.
Are they donating the registrations fees (or any portion) to something wonderful – say a turkey dinner for needy families for Christmas? (or whatever holiday they may follow)
I rarely race 5Ks to save money, but when I do $40 is about my top amount.
I really don’t like 5K’s because the time and money doesn’t seem worth it. I think $30 would be my limit.
I feel like an old scrooge but I remember when races were $10 or $20. $35 max for a 5K! The big one here in Lincoln Park today was only $35! for the 8k.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Yeah that’s pretty expensive for just 5k. I have to assume that they have higher administration costs than most races.
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Wow … that is pricey for a 5k! I have actually only run one 5k ever (the conclusion of C25k). After that, I sort of decided that I rather just spend the money on longer distances. I did run a local Thanksgiving race a while back and it is a weird distance, around 4.5 miles or so. That one was in the $20 price range if I recall. It’s become too crowded as well so I haven’t done it since. 🙂 My hubby likes our local Y’s 5k they put on at Thanksgiving and the price point is still reasonable.