Why so expensive?

I've just completed my first full triathlon season coming from a background in all three separate disciplines. As I look for events next year, the thing that shocks is the very high price attached to most races. Maybe I just don't understand the costs breakdown and TW could do a future article to explain, but by reference to other sports there is little comparrison - join a running club and league events are free. Unless organised by big corporates, even marathons are typically only £10 or so to enter. At a swimming club, again most events are free or there will be a nominal charge. I don't cycle race but do ride sportives. These are typically over well marshalled and supported routes of around 100 miles with entry prices around £20. Given most triathlons I have competed in involve loops of a relatively small area, where is the justification for entry fees of £50 plus?

I'm based in SW London, so if anyone can suggest any local races at reasonable cost I would be apprecaitive!

Id like to know which marathons are 'typically £10 or so"!

I imagine the insurance would be higher as well............I know they counted Ironman as an the highest level extreme sport when I got travel insurance in the summer..........

yes they are expensive but I suppose like lots of things.............there is a market value as well.....

Ok. On the marathon point 5-4-3-2-1 Salisbury, Gt Clarendon, Dartmoor Discovery, Beachy Head - any event organised by Long Distance Walkers. You'll find a few...

I had forgotten about transition and security there...

I think sportives are cheaper insurance wise as they are not classed as 'races' as well, which also helps in terms of local police  / road stuff.

Agree it's very expensive though!

IM entry fees are mahoosive! But on the one I did, you could really see where the money had been spent - motorcycle escorts for last riders through town (like me) lots of safety kayaks, top notch goodie bags, plenty of feed stations, road closures for most of the day, lots of food at the finish etc. Sure they still make a bit, but its easier to swallow when you can see that they've also spent a bit!

I think those you mention are the exception to the rule, having done 2 of those mentioned and several LDWA ones....none of which I SUSPECT involve road closures (whihc is where cost really kick in).

Anyhoo...that is off topic.

You dont like the entry fee - you dont pay it. Simple enough?!

Philip, I don't know when you last entered the maras you say are £10, but  this year

Beachy Head - £20

Great Clarendon - £19

Dartmoor Discovery - £24

Salsbury £10 attached.

Also DD is road run ultra with superb organisation and very decent disco afterwards...

Agree no road closures for any, but would have thought smaller events outside of town centres wouldn't necessarily need them. Maybe the costs are largely health and safety.

I'm not saying I want something for nothing. I'm just somewhat taken back by the cost of even relatively small events.

******************

 Thanks Cougie - Just read the article. It does seem mostly health and safety related

Mikefrog wrote (see)

I don't think anyone got "rich" organising triathlons! 

I agree.  When I marshalled at the Vitruvian it gave me a proper idea at the amount of organising etc that goes on at a tri.  the Vit is run by Pacesetterevents and you'd like to think they would like to make a penny for themselves here or there, being an events management organisation, but I couldn't see where to be honest...  If you tot it all up, rental of the facilities for a couple of days as most things are set up the day before, security/canoos on the lake, transition, the motorbike draft busters, the feed stations, policing, St Johns Ambulance, organising all the volunteer marshalls and scouts, organising the sponsors, a proper finish arch with music, announcements, decent medals, goodie bag, nice shirts... all the way to the fact that they know how to treat their volunteers well and treat you to a bacon butty and black coffee at 5am, --- that divided by a relatively small number of participants (not tens of thousands for Great Bupa runs) and you can't really see how they make a huge living out of it...

PMSL @ "disco afterwards"... well whoopeedoo!!!!

Well it depends whether you're there for an 'event' or a race. If you race often, do you always need to pay for DJ, elaborate finishing tunnel and arch, goodie bag (generally full of junk and junk food), t-shirts and medals? All these add greatly to cost and little to race itself although arguably go towards 'event'.

What you do want is for the race to be run on schedule, routes clearly marked, health and safety compliant and kit in transition secure. 

Maybe sometimes less is more...

cougie wrote (see)

I wonder what a no frills tri would cost you ? OK you could cut down on medals and goody bag, but I dont think they cost that much. Having it as no frills would probably reduce the numbers of people interested in racing - and so the costs would be higher per entrant.