Running for a cost (?)

Let me borrow the phrase I used as a title for this post from an ultra runner, Mr. Jonel Mendoza which he posted on his Facebook account wall on 12 April 2011. It struck me because recently I’ve been hearing comments and complaints not only about the oil price hike but also about the cost of race fees. I’ve to confess I have not read any write up on the issue although I was informed that a post or two were already out. For someone like me who’s in an active advocacy work for the poor and for good governance, it’s been tempting to reflect on the issue and take a position. Frankly, I have been trying to avoid this topic, my way of running away from the tendency to have an opinion on something that’s maybe very controversial and I may not be that aware of like organizing an event. But I obviously failed.

What dragged me to this very persistent issue? I ran one morning while I was in Tacloban City. A young man approached me and asked if I’m a runner. I said yes. He said he also wants to run but does not have the money to do so. I said, he does not need so much money, just enough for a good, proper running shoes. He said buying shoes is not his problem but joining races. He’s studying in Manila and been wanting to join races but could not because of lack of money. I felt sad and that got me thinking.

While running, I reflected on the issue and I’m sharing some of my thoughts now. I am not saying I am right and my assumptions are accurate nor am I trying to blame anyone or pretend that I know so much about this topic. This is just thinking aloud as a frequent participant in different races, for whatever it’s worth. You’re very free to refute any of my statement or junk this post altogether. At the very least, what I hope to offer is an alternative thought or idea that runners and organizers might consider – taking or throwing away ;)

Rundown:

Thought 1

How much does it really cost to organize a race? I think that it depends on what kind and how big a race would be. For me, a non- negotiable component of a race would be hydration- water and maybe sports drinks. So if an organizer opens his event to a thousand or more runners then logically, he has to avail of more hydration which could either be sourced from the registration fee or sponsorship.

Next in the priority list would be marshalls who need to be paid as well. Again it depends on the distance and how big the race is. You’ll need more marshalls for more runners and longer distances which will require more budget for their honorarium and food.

Then a start, finish line and kilometer marks which don’t need to be fancy and then a sound system.

In my view, other race materials are bonuses that we can do without like singlet, finisher’s shirt, medals, energy bars or gels, fancy race map, d-tags, etc. if what we really want is just to run with the rest of the running community.

And of course we also have to accept the fact that organizing a race (maybe not all?) is a business which means a certain portion of the race fee would be for profit.

Thought 2

The purpose of the race matters. If a race is intended to race funds for a cause, then it’s understandable that the cost would be higher than expected. What’s important here is disclosure. This is what I like about Condura Marathons. After the race, they would inform the public about how much of the race proceeds went to the foundation they said would benefit. If my memory serves me right, I think they also did announce the percentage from the race fee that would be handed to the beneficiary.

Thought 3

The principle of supply and demand. While some runners were inclined to blame organizers for expensive race fees, I think that it’s more of a supply and demand case.

Runners these days as evident in informal conversations and in posts of some bloggers seem to be expecting more from the organizers. Some comments not only refer to hydration but also to hi-tech race route presentation, blasting gunstart, fancy singlet and finisher’s shirt, etc. While this may have been due to organizers raising the expectation of the runners, pampering us and getting us used to more frills, this is also partly because the consumers raised the bar for satisfaction that naturally resulted in organizers trying to meet or surpass these standards, international included. Not to mention competition among organizers.

This has lead to glamorous races that entailed more cost, therefore, higher fees.

So, what now?

Given all these, assuming I was right, how should we then deal with it?

I think that maybe we should first answer the more basic question which is -should we really reduce race fees and whether we can really do something about it?

Again, let me think aloud.

I guess that the most important question here is whether we feel we’re shortchanged when we register. Do we get the feeling that we’re paying too much for something that’s not worth it? Because if that’s what’s happening, then we are really in a serious problem that’s almost tantamount to issues of transparency in government. But unlike government that is accountable to the people under a set of legal frameworks, organizers are not, except maybe the Consumer’s Act. But this is taking this issue too far. Maybe what we can do is, if we feel that the cost of a race is too much than what it offers or what it is for, we can simply not join, a boycott of sort.

If we feel that we’re paying just enough but are still bothered by the huge amount we shell out, I guess what can be done is to let the organizers know that we can be content with a race simple and organized enough to sustain us until we cross the finish line so that the organizers will not be pressured to produce something that cost a lot.

Races are a good way to celebrate “private” running. It allows us to expand our own worlds and meet new runners. It encourages us to continue loving the sport realizing that a thousand others are as passionate as us and for some, they challenge us to be better so we could engage in a competition not only with ourselves but with others. It’s sad that many are no longer able to join because of the increasing race fees.

Whether we can do anything about it given the rising prices of other stuff needed in a race and the sophisticated demand or expectation of runners, the fact remains that this is something that merits serious attention if we want races to be more inclusive and to stop those whining that’s going around the community.

Just thinking aloud ;)