Competitor, the for-profit group that owns and puts on the popular, yet controversial Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon and 1/2 marathon races is not making too many new friends with the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Pete 1/2 Marathon that takes place this weekend in St. Petersburg, Florida (event website).
The biggest complaint this time is the unexpected costs and inconveniences that runners anticipate encountering on Sunday, February 12, 2012.
Rock ‘n’ Roll events are pricey. For this 1/2 marathon it is costing runners north of $105.00 ($125.00 if you sign up at the Expo on Saturday). That is a lot of money for a HALF MARATHON. Almost $10 bucks a mile! Ouch!!!
But no one is forcing runners to pay that much and Rock ‘n’ Roll/Competitor is having record turnouts across the country. I have stopped running the more expensive races myself. I did get into the 2012 Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon with some heavy discounts for $40.
I run lots of marathons and ultras. I try to have a simple formula on what I’m willing to pay for a race. I usually try to not pay more than $3/mile. So roughly my limit for a 26.2 mile marathon is $78.60. For an ultra-marathon it’s more like $2/mile (50 miler @ $100/limit or 100 miler @ $200/limit).
But normally I tend to try to stay away from RNR events, especially after the disaster on the Las Vegas strip this past December during the 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon (and Half Marathon).
So why exactly are RNR St. Pete runners upset according to WTSP 10 in Tampa/St. Pete?
In addition to the $100+ entry to run, runners are being charged:
- $15 to park at the Expo on Friday or Saturday to pick up their race bib
- $15 to park near the start of the RNR St. Pete 1/2 on Sunday
- $10 to get a shuttle ride from the finish line of the race back to their car or walking 45 minutes back (the race finishes 2.3 miles from the start).
To quote an agree Facebook poster, “That’s absurd! Pay to run, pay to park, pay to get to start/finish. Just raise the entry fee and quit nickel and diming everyone!”
And that pretty much sums it up! However, if you are going to run a RNR event or a race in a large city then you should be prepared for additional costs and inconveniences.
Rock ‘n’ Roll isn’t without its flaws though as was mentioned repeatedly here after the trainwreck that was Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas (see HERE).
Big events can be fun but the true beauty of running is often found at smaller races where you can actually run without obstruction and without stress.
Rock ‘n’ Roll St. Pete is expecting over 8,000 runners for the inaugural event.
Related: The Nightmare on the Strip: Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon Full of Sin
[RNR marathons run: RNR Las Vegas (2x), RNR Country Music (2x), RNR San Diego (very first marathon), RNR New Orleans]
[source: WTSP Tampa]
I paid less than $1 per mile for the best 50K ever. 😉
At least the R&R is cheaper than the Disney Half I signed up for. And we don’t even get entry to the park for that!
I think smaller races are more fun though: more breathing room, easier to sightsee, more relaxed.
Great advice on pricing! I always get stressed when I look at race prices and have only just realized that less expensive, smaller races are probably the way to go.