Marathon and 5k Fees?

They always have fees in my experience - but you usually get a goodie bag that covers most if not all the cost. race shirts, water bottles, lanyards, etc...

I want to run a 5k so bad I cant stand it but I'm wondering about all the fees? Can I just show up and run it? There are so many but they all have registration fees which is fine but I can't see paying 50 bucks for some of them....just looking for some advice as I have never done this before. I would also like to take my daughter along sometime and just walk or jog one, does that mean I pay two fees?Thanks!

Keep an eye out on your local LivingSocial or Groupon. They often have 5K deals for a reduced fee. I can't speak to whether you would need to pay an additional fee for your daugther.

Yes you have to pay the fee. If you don't, you can actually put you, your child and others in danger. Registration fees go towards: water, Gatorade, paying policemen or security for the course, EMT personnel, port a potties and plenty of other things you may not have thought about.

Race directors determine how much of all of these things that they need based on the number of people that register. Example: if they see that 100 people have registered, they will have a certain number of port a potties, water, post race snacks, and EMT on hand for 100 people. If 25 people just "show up" (also called "renegades") and something happens to them or they take water from the course, then they are taking resources from the people who spent money to be there.

One other thing. When you register, they ask you for emergency contact information. If something happens to you, they will not know who you are or who to contact because you would not have on a race bib.

You can find more information in the "what do my race fees pay for" article on Runners World. I'm looking for the link.

You usually pay less the earlier you register.

This for sure. I've seen as much as a $30 difference between pre-registering and race-day registration.

You can go to a 5k anywhere, but if you want to go to an official race--yes--you need to pay and register. It is costly (though you can find some school-sponsered ones that are around $10). These races cost a lot to set up (as others have mentioned, there are goodies for participants and funds also go to a lot of good charities) and people who aren't registered really are not welcome on to the race course (though a lot of people show up at the finish line to show support to the racers). That said, walking or running doesn't matter--you can do either at most races (though check for details). Some races allow children, some have age cutoffs, so that is something to check into too (but yes, you would then pay for the registration for both of you).

Larger races usually have higher fees. Around here, and a lot of other places I've seen, there are a lot of smaller local races that are much cheaper. Most of the races on our running club schedule are between $10 and $20 to run for 1 mile to 10k races Keep in mind when you do this type of race, you aren't going to get the same kind of stuff as the bigger races. No race kits, donated prizes, if any, some have tshirts others don't, sometimes no bib or chip timing, etc. Most of these races around here keep things simple to keep costs down, make little or no profit and often donate whatever they clear to charity as well. These types of races can be really fun, not as intimidating as the huge races, just don't expect a big race experience.
Check with local running clubs to see what smaller races may be in your area.

I sit on the organizing committee for our local marathon race weekend and am race director of a smaller race described above. You would be surprised to know the costs associated.

ETA - as for just showing up, many small races allow registration the day of the race. Larger races usually require pre-registration for reasons listed above.

I wanted to try and run a race every month this year, but the fees are what's holding me back. I need a race budget! I've found that a 5k around here can cost anywhere from 20-50 bucks, depending on when you register. Someone else mentioned already that most races will be cheaper if you register early, with price increases every month or so as you get closer to race day.

So I'm picking and choosing my races this year based on cost, and the most bang for my buck, so to speak. The one I signed up for is one I did last year - it was my first race and theirs too - and they did a great job with it. For $25 runners get a tech tee, pancake breakfast, raffle ticket and goodie bag. The race was well organized, with streets blocked off by police officers (another 5k I did last year had zero traffic control, and we had to stop and wait for lights, traffic, etc - it was pathetic!), well marked route, and proceeds went to a good cause - it was lots of fun.

Another local race that's pretty big is coming up soon, and I'd love to do it because it's such a big event, but costs for the 5k are up to $45 now. You get a lot of goodies - another tech tee, breakfast, a medal, ice cream, free massages and tickets to a baseball game. And the atmosphere and being part of a big event would be fun, so I'm considering the higher cost (it's a full weekend event with a bike race Saturday, 5k, kids race and half marathon on Sunday).

I just missed our second Color Me Rad 5k because of the cost. We had one last fall, and I think I paid $30, but this time around the early bird fees started at $35. I had a great time last time, but couldn't justify the cost again for another tee shirt, a bag of colored cornstarch and some fake ray bans. Maybe next year.

I keep saying I need to start squirreling money away for the races I'd like to do! They are fun, that's for sure!

You usually pay less the earlier you register.

This

If you live in Canada the Running Room has a five km on Jan first every year. $45 for early entry and you get a jacket and a pancake breakfast. The money goes to a local cause. This year in my town it went to the volunteer fire fighters. I have taken friends along with me before and they have ran for free.

To answer the question about your daughter, many races will allow you to push a stroller for free, but please, please don't allow them to give your daughter a medal unless you've paid a registration fee for her. I just ran a race and paid entrants didn't receive their medals because people running with their children received an extra.

Also check for free kid's fun runs. I'm running a fairly big marathon in October and they sponsor a free kids 1 mile run the day before. However, parents are not allowed to accompany their children.

There are plenty of kids races that charge a nominal fee that DO allow parents to run along side for no charge. These are generally a 1 mile or 1K run.