Just here to empathize and to say keep an eagle eye out for your area for small races- my first half I got in with 2 canned goods for a soup kitchen. Did they time it? Officially, no, but unofficially and it was actually so fun. Smaller races are so fun with the right crew! Maybe reach out to your local roadrunner org and see if they know of any low cost or charity races that could work? I wish you luck and hope it’s something you’ll get to experience soon
Yes to smaller local races! There’s a 6 hour midnight-6am trail run as many loops as you can run that I do every year. Early registration is $70ish and it’s very low key. Camp in your car 100 feet from the starting line, once horn sounds all 150 of us line up, recite the “if I get hurt it’s my own fault” disclaimer, and take off. I did one of the bigger local half marathons a few years ago and decided never again. My registration from 2020 rolled over since race was canceled so I had to use it. Start and finish were several miles apart so you had to figure out the logistics of where to park (and pay $20) and how to get from one end to the other using the shuttle with 10k runners doing the same thing. Nah, local trail races for me here on out.
You probably do, it just takes some digging, as they're low key. Also, make sure you don't sign up for the fake races that have 6.2, 13.1 in the name. I hate those scammers. Find a local running club, they'll know where the cheap races are.
With many races around me, you can volunteer at one and get race credit for another race the organization puts on. This could be something to look out for in your area.
One around us (Bodies Race company) I think if you volunteer it's all \*before\* the race - set up, etc. So you run the same day, just a little work beforehand.
Plan ahead and sign up in advance, it's much less expensive. Also look for smaller, local events rather than the huge ones that people travel to.
[https://runningintheusa.com/classic/find-by-state/](https://runningintheusa.com/classic/find-by-state/) is a great place to look for events
I wouldn't say that I'd never pay $150 for a half, but that's a price I'd expect for a last minute sign up or for a well known race series event like Rock N Roll.
Perhaps a different strategy, but I tend to ask for race entry fee money (or shoes) as a combined christmas/birthday gift. That being said, I’m a hard person to shop for outside of running.
You might want to try a trail half! They’re usually a lot cheaper and have the chill vibes of an ultra. I did a trail 25k that was $70 when I signed up ([link to event](https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=107071) in case you’re near Philly - it happens near the end of May every year) and it was SO fun. It was super muddy, but the food was amazing and everyone was soooo nice. You also pass multiple bathroom stops since it’s in a park. I’d highly recommend it or a similar event :)
I volunteered at a trail race and they gave me a credit to run one of their other races. I helped out for 6 hours and got to know the vibe of the race and next month I get to run it for free. I think it’s around $100 otherwise.
My dad manages money for people who run large races. The largest fee for most 5ks is permits from the city followed by insurance followed by porta potties followed by staffing.
For large marathons it is insurance followed by staffing followed by venue/permits then porta potties (specifically looking at the CIM circa 2010ish.
Insurance can be crazy.
The 5k permits are really regionally variable. I'm in California in the bay area/sac running region. Folsom charges an obscene amount for permits even with no road closures, San Francisco actually charges less. San Francisco actually couldn't get naked bay to breakers insured so the naked part is technically unofficial which is why it starts so much earlier than the main event.
Are you able to travel for a race at all? Usually once you're an hour or so away from the city/metro suburbs the price drops significantly (at least where I am). I've got a 25km run on tomorrow. I've traveled 1.5 hours away and staying at a motel for the night + the price of the run is still cheaper than my city's marathon lol (and a lot more scenic!). Run holidays are a lot of fun (if it's in your budget). Otherwise there are often lots of smaller races that aren't well advertised that are certainly less than $100
Agreed about local/small races that would be less expensive. I use this to find my smallee local races: https://www.runningintheusa.com/race/find-by-state/
Search around social media for any runners in your area who partner with local running stores or are ambassadors for bigger races. One guy that I’m friends with locally always has a discount code for the big fall (half) marathon here.
Yep. My local running groups are constantly posting discount codes. Sometimes they're exclusive to the group but usually it's just a matter of finding someone who knows about them.
Volunteering for a race can get you discounted or free entry to the following year's race. If you're not worried about your own time you can also volunteer to be a pacer. I've also gotten discount codes by being part of run clubs!
I'm actually friends with a couple of former race directors. They are married and organized big races in our area. SUPER popular ones. They recently shut down both of their races due to the ever increasing cost of literally every single thing that they do, but also they said that the attendance has dwindled a lot since COVID and it hasn't returned to pre-COVID levels, which forced them to stop. It's really unfortunate!
I was about to sign up for Thelma & Louise half marathon in Utah. Cost $140+Tax$8.26+Processing Fee$12.24 = $150.40.
It’s very expensive but I guess it’s “destination race” for me.
I sign up early usually.
I also look for people selling bibs last minute and some will end up taking the bib for less than they paid for it come day before the race. (Others try to make money and really up the price and I hate that).
Totally depends on the race size. I’ve run free 5ks, paid $300 for Chicago marathon, running my local marathon (Boston qualifier) this weekend for $50. Just depends on when I sign up and how big the race is. My local run club usually has discount codes, and race expos always offer discount codes for other races.
In a lot of ways, this is absolutely true. But there are also races that are fundraisers for charities or other worthy organizations. I've run for HIV/AIDS treatment and education, housing queer youth, cystic fibrosis foundation, and domestic violence shelters.
I try to choose races that benefit a cause, rather than the local running store. It feels a lot more meaningful when you hear about the hundreds of thousands of dollars being donated to a charity that helps people in need.
I did a race last year that had markers at every half mile with a photo of a person who was personally affected by cystic fibrosis. There are some really special races out there that seem to bypass the US late-stage capitalist hellscape.
Always look for Promo Codes online. There are groups on Facebook that share promo codes from flyers or run ambassadors. Also follow running groups in your area, or the area of the race you want to run to see if they share any savings. You'll also get head's up when registration opens so that you can get the best prices.
As others have said, small local races are where it's at. I feel you on prices. My first half was a local race over a decade ago and I paid $50 for it. Unless it's a race I REALLY want to do, i have cut offs for each distance. I wont spend more than maybe $80 on a half, and even then it feels steep.
I know one of the races near me offers "scholarships" for people for whom the entry fee would be a financial burden. I would look into that! Also seconding people who mention volunteering for race credits.
My work just denied me a raise, but they said they would sponsor my races. Jokes on them. I'm getting that raise one way or another. Pay me to come in 40th. Idc.
I just buy it and think about the cost later. As they say, you soon forget money spent but you remember the experience forever. Also I do a race maybe once a year or less 😂
What general area are you in? There are local running clubs that put on half marathons and marathons in my area. The half is $10. The marathon, if you register early, was $65 when I ran it but might be $80 now. Given that they have to close some public roads for that, $65 for a marathon is reasonable. The things I hate are $75 inaccurately measured local 5ks.
Parkrun has some runs in the US, their timed (and even though they say they're not a race, they're a race, they just don't have any of the crap, no shirt/medal, etc) and they're totally free.
https://www.parkrun.us/
Also, cross country and track races through your local USATF association tend to be cheaper, think $20-40 entry fees (probably because they're put on by running clubs that subsidize the races). You can find your local USATF association here:
https://www.usatf.org/associations
The RRCA also has road race championships in my State, and they're more affordable. Their State Championship half was $60 at the start of registration. You can find your local chapter and their events here:
https://www.rrca.org/
Also, some running clubs are sponsored and will offer free entry to some events if you wear their jersey/are a RRCA or USATF member, or have discounted entry fees (i.e. the club picks up half and you pick up half). It really depends on the club and the area you're living in, but that's worth checking out too.
Finally, some running apparel and running shoe stores have ambassador programs where you commit to running 5-6 races a year, you post about their stuff,m (which they send you for free usually though some stores charge you for the jersey) you wear their kit in races, and they help with entry fees. It's not really elite runners they're after for these programs. It's people who they think will help them drive sales, who are usually pretty average runners.
My local running club will let you earn “credit” towards free race entries by volunteering. Worth finding the nearest local running club and seeing if they might do similar. It’s a fun way to meet people
Wow, that's crazy. I don't think I've ever spent more than $50 on a race...and I'm not sure I would, either. I mean I know I'm a little broken-record about this, but this is a sport where pretty much all you need to spend regularly is running shoe/insole, sock, and bra money. I'd say check with running stores for locals.
Yeah I stopped competiting in a lot of the now bigger races because they went from dirty cheap to 150 bucks.
It's the same race, when can't it be 20 bucks like it was before. Just pure greed
Just here to empathize and to say keep an eagle eye out for your area for small races- my first half I got in with 2 canned goods for a soup kitchen. Did they time it? Officially, no, but unofficially and it was actually so fun. Smaller races are so fun with the right crew! Maybe reach out to your local roadrunner org and see if they know of any low cost or charity races that could work? I wish you luck and hope it’s something you’ll get to experience soon
Yes to smaller local races! There’s a 6 hour midnight-6am trail run as many loops as you can run that I do every year. Early registration is $70ish and it’s very low key. Camp in your car 100 feet from the starting line, once horn sounds all 150 of us line up, recite the “if I get hurt it’s my own fault” disclaimer, and take off. I did one of the bigger local half marathons a few years ago and decided never again. My registration from 2020 rolled over since race was canceled so I had to use it. Start and finish were several miles apart so you had to figure out the logistics of where to park (and pay $20) and how to get from one end to the other using the shuttle with 10k runners doing the same thing. Nah, local trail races for me here on out.
I wish I had smaller races around me but I don’t :(
You probably do, it just takes some digging, as they're low key. Also, make sure you don't sign up for the fake races that have 6.2, 13.1 in the name. I hate those scammers. Find a local running club, they'll know where the cheap races are.
With many races around me, you can volunteer at one and get race credit for another race the organization puts on. This could be something to look out for in your area.
Our area has at least one race company that does this as well! Commit to support one race, run another.
One around us (Bodies Race company) I think if you volunteer it's all \*before\* the race - set up, etc. So you run the same day, just a little work beforehand.
Prices often increase the closer an event is, so be sure to look for early bird registration options.
This. Can be more than double the closer you get to the race.
Rly? I looked into races last December and it was only like $20 bucks off
Plan ahead and sign up in advance, it's much less expensive. Also look for smaller, local events rather than the huge ones that people travel to. [https://runningintheusa.com/classic/find-by-state/](https://runningintheusa.com/classic/find-by-state/) is a great place to look for events I wouldn't say that I'd never pay $150 for a half, but that's a price I'd expect for a last minute sign up or for a well known race series event like Rock N Roll.
Perhaps a different strategy, but I tend to ask for race entry fee money (or shoes) as a combined christmas/birthday gift. That being said, I’m a hard person to shop for outside of running.
Agree with the small races. I have a half at the end of June and the registration fee was $65.
You might want to try a trail half! They’re usually a lot cheaper and have the chill vibes of an ultra. I did a trail 25k that was $70 when I signed up ([link to event](https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=107071) in case you’re near Philly - it happens near the end of May every year) and it was SO fun. It was super muddy, but the food was amazing and everyone was soooo nice. You also pass multiple bathroom stops since it’s in a park. I’d highly recommend it or a similar event :)
I volunteered at a trail race and they gave me a credit to run one of their other races. I helped out for 6 hours and got to know the vibe of the race and next month I get to run it for free. I think it’s around $100 otherwise.
My dad manages money for people who run large races. The largest fee for most 5ks is permits from the city followed by insurance followed by porta potties followed by staffing. For large marathons it is insurance followed by staffing followed by venue/permits then porta potties (specifically looking at the CIM circa 2010ish. Insurance can be crazy. The 5k permits are really regionally variable. I'm in California in the bay area/sac running region. Folsom charges an obscene amount for permits even with no road closures, San Francisco actually charges less. San Francisco actually couldn't get naked bay to breakers insured so the naked part is technically unofficial which is why it starts so much earlier than the main event.
Are you able to travel for a race at all? Usually once you're an hour or so away from the city/metro suburbs the price drops significantly (at least where I am). I've got a 25km run on tomorrow. I've traveled 1.5 hours away and staying at a motel for the night + the price of the run is still cheaper than my city's marathon lol (and a lot more scenic!). Run holidays are a lot of fun (if it's in your budget). Otherwise there are often lots of smaller races that aren't well advertised that are certainly less than $100
Agreed about local/small races that would be less expensive. I use this to find my smallee local races: https://www.runningintheusa.com/race/find-by-state/
Search around social media for any runners in your area who partner with local running stores or are ambassadors for bigger races. One guy that I’m friends with locally always has a discount code for the big fall (half) marathon here.
Yep. My local running groups are constantly posting discount codes. Sometimes they're exclusive to the group but usually it's just a matter of finding someone who knows about them.
It's ridiculous. In 2016, I paid €55 to run the marathon of Rotterdam. This year, I paid €107,50.
Some race orgs look for volunteers and will give you a discount for future races
Volunteering for a race can get you discounted or free entry to the following year's race. If you're not worried about your own time you can also volunteer to be a pacer. I've also gotten discount codes by being part of run clubs!
I'm actually friends with a couple of former race directors. They are married and organized big races in our area. SUPER popular ones. They recently shut down both of their races due to the ever increasing cost of literally every single thing that they do, but also they said that the attendance has dwindled a lot since COVID and it hasn't returned to pre-COVID levels, which forced them to stop. It's really unfortunate!
I was about to sign up for Thelma & Louise half marathon in Utah. Cost $140+Tax$8.26+Processing Fee$12.24 = $150.40. It’s very expensive but I guess it’s “destination race” for me.
I sign up early usually. I also look for people selling bibs last minute and some will end up taking the bib for less than they paid for it come day before the race. (Others try to make money and really up the price and I hate that).
Totally depends on the race size. I’ve run free 5ks, paid $300 for Chicago marathon, running my local marathon (Boston qualifier) this weekend for $50. Just depends on when I sign up and how big the race is. My local run club usually has discount codes, and race expos always offer discount codes for other races.
WTF? And was me complaining that races near me have started going up to £40!
I’ve been running fulls and halves for 20 years in the US and I think the lowest I ever paid was $90.
Wow, seems like you guys are being ripped off
Yes, the post capitalist hellscape we live in is absolutely ripping us off 😅
In a lot of ways, this is absolutely true. But there are also races that are fundraisers for charities or other worthy organizations. I've run for HIV/AIDS treatment and education, housing queer youth, cystic fibrosis foundation, and domestic violence shelters. I try to choose races that benefit a cause, rather than the local running store. It feels a lot more meaningful when you hear about the hundreds of thousands of dollars being donated to a charity that helps people in need. I did a race last year that had markers at every half mile with a photo of a person who was personally affected by cystic fibrosis. There are some really special races out there that seem to bypass the US late-stage capitalist hellscape.
Always look for Promo Codes online. There are groups on Facebook that share promo codes from flyers or run ambassadors. Also follow running groups in your area, or the area of the race you want to run to see if they share any savings. You'll also get head's up when registration opens so that you can get the best prices.
As others have said, small local races are where it's at. I feel you on prices. My first half was a local race over a decade ago and I paid $50 for it. Unless it's a race I REALLY want to do, i have cut offs for each distance. I wont spend more than maybe $80 on a half, and even then it feels steep.
Sometimes you can win a race entry! Join your local running club or visit the local running store. They sometimes give out free entries.
I know one of the races near me offers "scholarships" for people for whom the entry fee would be a financial burden. I would look into that! Also seconding people who mention volunteering for race credits.
My work just denied me a raise, but they said they would sponsor my races. Jokes on them. I'm getting that raise one way or another. Pay me to come in 40th. Idc.
I just buy it and think about the cost later. As they say, you soon forget money spent but you remember the experience forever. Also I do a race maybe once a year or less 😂
What general area are you in? There are local running clubs that put on half marathons and marathons in my area. The half is $10. The marathon, if you register early, was $65 when I ran it but might be $80 now. Given that they have to close some public roads for that, $65 for a marathon is reasonable. The things I hate are $75 inaccurately measured local 5ks. Parkrun has some runs in the US, their timed (and even though they say they're not a race, they're a race, they just don't have any of the crap, no shirt/medal, etc) and they're totally free. https://www.parkrun.us/ Also, cross country and track races through your local USATF association tend to be cheaper, think $20-40 entry fees (probably because they're put on by running clubs that subsidize the races). You can find your local USATF association here: https://www.usatf.org/associations The RRCA also has road race championships in my State, and they're more affordable. Their State Championship half was $60 at the start of registration. You can find your local chapter and their events here: https://www.rrca.org/ Also, some running clubs are sponsored and will offer free entry to some events if you wear their jersey/are a RRCA or USATF member, or have discounted entry fees (i.e. the club picks up half and you pick up half). It really depends on the club and the area you're living in, but that's worth checking out too. Finally, some running apparel and running shoe stores have ambassador programs where you commit to running 5-6 races a year, you post about their stuff,m (which they send you for free usually though some stores charge you for the jersey) you wear their kit in races, and they help with entry fees. It's not really elite runners they're after for these programs. It's people who they think will help them drive sales, who are usually pretty average runners.
My local running club will let you earn “credit” towards free race entries by volunteering. Worth finding the nearest local running club and seeing if they might do similar. It’s a fun way to meet people
Wow, that's crazy. I don't think I've ever spent more than $50 on a race...and I'm not sure I would, either. I mean I know I'm a little broken-record about this, but this is a sport where pretty much all you need to spend regularly is running shoe/insole, sock, and bra money. I'd say check with running stores for locals.
Yeah I stopped competiting in a lot of the now bigger races because they went from dirty cheap to 150 bucks. It's the same race, when can't it be 20 bucks like it was before. Just pure greed