5k Registration fees

MsMartyMac

Different runs cost different amounts and late registration is ALWAYS more expensive. So plan ahead so you register Early Bird. For your first one I would do a 5K that is in your area so you aren't also spending extra on hotel stays. Usually local runs are in the $25 range (some more, some less). Highly publicized races cost more and Big Name races cost more. The color runs, mud runs, and other crazy runs cost more mostly due to supplies but some of it is the name. I was disappointed to see the Biggest Loser 5k was already $45 but I think I missed the early bird for my area. If it is something that sounds really fun and you just want to try it you can always do it once and you don't have to do it again if it proves not to be worth the extra dough. just my $0.02. But most of all Have Fun!! My 2013 goal is one a month so I am looking for cheap, early, discount registrations. I registered for the Color me Rad on a promo day for $25!!! So glad I did!!

maab_connor

I spend a lot on mine, but they're all mud runs so it's worth it. They gotta set up a whole obstacle course and you get shirts and a medal and all that.

But if it's just left foot, right foot over some pavement? $40 max. And that better be for some charity while we're at it.

this.

mud runs cost money to put up, and a lot of them work w/ charities as well. i know that Susan G Komen 5k's can get pricey, but cancer research isn't cheap. but if it's just a run 5k on pavement? yeah, more than $40 is insane

crazyellybean

Any 5Ks I've done have been for the benefit of something.. March of dimes is my favorite and that's all about raising proceeds... I will be doing Color Me Rad this summer which is for Ronald McDonald house in my area... There is one that I plan on doing which is $40 that is glow run.. no cause, but the experience to me is worth it.. other then that I don't pay for them.. unless it's for a cause

however mud runs are worth it!! I did Warrior Dash last year.. and this year the plan is Foam Fest and Warrior Dash! Both which cost about $50-75

timeasterday

I just started running and our company just started a program where they will pay back up to $500/annually for fitness-related expenses. I don't go to a gym so this will pretty much pay for a race every month.

crystalflame

General tip: LivingSocial Events has a lot of race deals for half off registration fees. Just this week I saw a $40 Firefly 5K for $20 (supports the children's hospital) and a $25 Mardi Gras 5K for $12 (supports an animal shelter). Deals like that are a good way to keep your race cost down.

lenniebus

I have only done local 5k's /8k's where the proceeds go to charity. I think the most expensive one is $25. I get a t-shirt, snacks at the end, etc. They even award prizes for the top finishers. Not sure I'd be willing to spend much more...it would have to be a pretty good race for a pretty great cause.

meghan6867

The most I ever paid was $100... but they contributed much of the funds to orthopaedic research funding...

I don't think I would as willing to pay that much if was for some sort non-profit agency or charitable situation.

TripleJ3

I pay about $30 plus their stupid "processing fees". I do the same races pretty much so I already know when they start taking registrations so I can get the early bird specials. I have added two new ones this year but already had planned on them so I paid for those before their prices went up.

I like to do several a year, I couldn't imagine paying $50 or more for just one especially if there is traveling involved unless I was only racing just the one.

I get more ticked off about the extra processing fees since I am paying online but its similar to concerts and no way around it.


Edit to add, its also getting more expensive since my oldest daughter is into running the kids runs. She is starting to show interest in trying 3 miles so then the price will really go up! But I love that she wants to and try to get my middle daughter to try the kids versions but it just may not be her thing.

abbiekgurl

I live in Ohio and recently signed up with the Ohio River Road Runners (www.orrrc.org). They list any races in the area for the entire year, allow you to volunteer (if you're interested in that kind of thing), and have quite a few races that are either free or charge a minimal fee for ORRRC members. For a year membership of $20, it's not bad at all! There may be something like this in your area too, you just have to look!

savlov30

Good Morning,

I did 12 races last year. I did 5k, 10k and mud races. I really don't look at the prices. I look at the experience. Think about what your goals are and what you want out of the races.

If you have any questions about a particular one and I did it, I am more than willing to answer it.

Last year races:
Color run
scavenger dash
Litchfield park 10k
IMS 5k
Lifetime Indoor Tri
Warrior Dash
Foam Race
Gladiator Run
Neon Splash
Pendergast 5k
United for Maria 5k
Pat Tilman 4.6

McCelmer

Check to see if your town has a Patch website (http://www.patch.com/). My Patch usually advertises smaller community 5K's; lowest I've seen are around $15-25.

BrunetteRunner87

The ones I do around here are all about $20, some have charities, some don't. Honestly I'd rather they be cheaper and not give t shirts because I have so many t shirts and I've never worn any of them. They're never more than that unless it's something special like Warrior Dash or Color Run (which was stupid and I wouldn't pay for again). Usually the five mile races are 20-25, then when you get into the 10Ks it's a little more, and then half marathons and marathons are more, but that's OK because it's not like I'm going to do tons of marathons in one year like I do 5ks.

lglg11

I don't think I ever paid more than $25 for a regular 5k .. mud runs and sprint tris are way more but worth it to me.

I just registered for a three 5k series and it was $21 for all three races and you get a $30 gift certificate for the Sneaker Factory when you run.

I would look into it more and find a cheaper one . Good luck!

LorinaLynn

The Warrior Dash was the only pricey race I've done, and that was more of an adventure and event than a race.

Most of them are between $15-25. I'll only pay more than $20 if it's a cause I feel very strongly about.

Check Facebook for local running groups. Most of the smaller races aren't advertised on national sites.

Cheval13

A 5K asking for more than $25 is probably a "rip-off." The more expensive the race for such a short distance (meaning, less money spent on rest stops/water stops, course protection, etc) the more money is probably being wasted. Even charity runs can be $25-35 with most of the money going to charity. Larger races are also more likely to be less expensive, since the race organizers will be able to cover costs better with the chrages spread out over more people. Well-organized races will also have a lot of sponsors who keep the price down. I would keep looking. Good luck! It is worth it to find a race, since the race makes the training so much more worth it.

BrettPGH

General tip: LivingSocial Events has a lot of race deals for half off registration fees. Just this week I saw a $40 Firefly 5K for $20 (supports the children's hospital) and a $25 Mardi Gras 5K for $12 (supports an animal shelter). Deals like that are a good way to keep your race cost down.

I got all dorkcited for 5 seconds there...

AckieJ

The fees I'd pay for are for special occassions like cancer, or other diseases and such. But for some church to raise money... No not so much. No offense. I'm broke as it is. LOL

loadsandloads

As far as whether it's worth it you have to consider what is your goal. I'm in Florida and have done the 5K event at Marathon weekend for the last 3 years. It's $50 generally and this year went up to $55. My employers insurance company is sponsor of event and gives us a certain number of spots so the last 2 years I've been lucky enough not to pay. I started doing the Princess 5K so I still have the out of pocket because no sponsorship there. For me it is really cool to be at Disney and with all these people. It's the experience and the fact that so far every year I have improved my time. That's the goal.

This year my daughter is doing Princess 1/2 and wants me to try a 1/2 next year....we'll see. The Princess 1/2 is $150 I think. I will have to know I can complete it because that's a lot of money!

Just for the record I just found a community in my area that does 5K's on regular basis for about $30. Much more appealing, less traffic and can still work on my time!

What is your goal? That should help you decide.

JustJennie1

Since we are talking registration fees, are they tax deductable?

No because you're not actually contributing to the charity and only a small proceed goes towards it. Also as someone else mentioned you're getting something for what you pay some times.

I personally wouldn't try to pass it off on my taxes. Not worth an audit.

Muddy_Yogi

I don't pay a lot of any 5k and I don't run them unless they are for a charity that I support. I have actually not seen any in my area that were just for profit. Every race I have looked into has always been for some charity or another.

savlyon

I am the race director for two local 5Ks. We do both of them for a charity cause- One is a Glow in the Dark race in October that raises money for a local family adopting. The cost last year was $20/person or 3 for $45. We stressed it as a family event. Afterward we had a fun after party at the amphitheater at the park and had a local band playing music with lots of prizes. We raised $4000. We didn't anticipate as many people as showed, so it wasn't as profitable as if we had enough sponsors.

The next race we are doing is a Super Hero Dash. It is $20/person until two weeks before-then we bump it to $25. Teams can be generated for 4/$75 and then $90 two weeks before. The after party will be centered around family activities at the park.

There isn't a lot of swag- we will give a t-shirt and we are toying with the idea of a bag.

I think if you look to some of the smaller races you can find affordable races that provide a lot of fun and go to a good cause. It costs at least $10/person to put on the race. That was our cost last year and we didn't pay for manpower. This year I am being paid and we hired an intern to help me with one. Of course my company is eating the cost to pay me, but if it came out of race funds it would quickly take a chunk out of the profit.

All this to say...there's a lot that goes into races. If you just want to run with some friends and score a shirt- there are tons that go for $20-$25. If you want a big deal--it costs a ton to put on. Truthfully--the sponsorship is where the profit is at.

dorianaldyn

I would have a hard time spending more than ~$40 to register for a 5k. I do spend usually somewhere around $100 for half marathons and for the one full that I've registered for. I do try to sign up early and I do look for coupon codes to bring the cost down.

One of the half marathons I did was the Rock N Roll Half in San Jose - now, I hated the actual race because I was just TOO HOT, but the race organization was superb. I actually didn't really care about the bands along the way (they just made it harder to hear my own music!), but I did appreciate all the cheerleading squads that came out, there were tons of volunteers handing out water, etc., and the after-race festivities were great. After crossing the finish line, I felt like I was still in the secured area at an airport because the runners all got to follow the swag path and we got TONS of goodies post-race. Lots of fruit, drinks, snacks, etc. The sponsors really stepped up. Then they had a well organized meet-up area to find friends/family and they had a big stage with someone I'd actually heard of performing. They put on a great event, I can see why the reg fees were so high (the medal was cool and the shirt was nice too). I don't drink beer, so I always give my post-race beer to my husband :-).

sherrirb

Thank you all for your input! I wasn't sure about posting this but now I'm very glad that I did! Your comments are invaluable!

Savlyon, I appreciate your post coming from the other side of the event to explain cost.

I guess I had not thought about the differences between road 5ks and mud runs either. The mud runs were many of the ones that were getting near they higher end. Many of you explained why these tend to be higher in cost, which I had not considered. I feel a little silly, but like they say, they only stupid question is the one unasked.

iplayoutside19

Since we are talking registration fees, are they tax deductable?

No because you're not actually contributing to the charity and only a small proceed goes towards it. Also as someone else mentioned you're getting something for what you pay some times.

I personally wouldn't try to pass it off on my taxes. Not worth an audit.

I run a race that gives you a statement that says: This much went to your shirt and race overhead. This much went to the charity, you can deduct that amount from your taxes.

juliekins64

I signed up for a 10k recently and because I did it 6 months+ in advance I got a 50% discount.
I spent $30 for 10K going to charity.