Open letter to all the people who organize marathons all over the world
I have been running marathons for nineteen years and have seen this competition change over the years into a big business.
The inflated registration fee of one of the last marathons I ran – $161.71! – prompted me to write this letter. This amount was not justified as this marathon was partly run in a public park where there was no need for security and police personnel. There was only one water stop that did not offer any water bottles, Gatorade or munchies to eat after the run. Instead, we were served glasses of water and supposed to eat the munchies right there. The organization consisted of some ten people. I was wondering where the money goes. Usually the registration fee of a marathon goes to purchase medals, T-shirts, food and drinks, the insurance subscribed by the organization and other costs inherent to the marathon logistics. What’s left is usually used to sustain the organizing association and improve future marathons. But in the case of this marathon, there was nothing to improve because it is a small marathon that does not require much funds.
I would like to remind all those who organize marathons that running is the most popular
and least expensive sport. There are people who love running and dream of trying to run the marathon, i.e. the most famous endurance competition, but don’t have the means to pay the increasingly indecent amount of money that you are requesting! Let’s keep our passion for running and let’s not pervert with money this sport as many other sports already have been.
If you request a high registration fee, let’s see it in what makes the marathon: big security system, complicated logistics, beautiful medals, beautiful T-shirts, enough food and drinks, gifts to charity. This is what a marathon runner should see at the end of a marathon. S/he has to think that it was really worth it to pay a high price and you must motivate her/him to come back: this is the right philosophy to keep in mind for this beautiful sport.
I always take as an example (this is the right word) the Seville marathon that I have run several times. It is a perfect marathon in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with an unstinting organization for €35! (I double-checked). This is the marathon that I would recommend. The registration price includes bib, medal, towel with the marathon logo at the finish, a complete outfit (short and T-shirt). One year, they even supplied socks, offered a complete meal on the Saturday before the run with free drinks (water, juice, soda, beer, wine!) and another meal after the marathon! An unbeatable price! How do they do it? It’s simple, these organizers know how to find sponsors to supply free of charge food, drinks, meals, outfits (JOMA is the sponsor of the national Spanish track team) and other technical help. If they can do it, everyone at their own level can do it and make an effort. I am convinced there are local or national companies where you are that would be happy to help you and associate their name with your marathon.
Some marathons in my opinion got big-headed and went off the rail. I think, among others, of the New York marathon. Indeed, it is and will remain the most popular marathon in the world, but it’s no excuse to go too far. The cost for a bib is now $500! I checked on the Internet and for that price, you can have one-week cruise in the Caribbean with everything included! Other marathons such as Paris, London or Chicago have followed the lead and this worries me because soon you won’t be able to register if you don’t have a platinum card!
Dear organizers, please react because I know a lot of great marathons with very reasonable prices all over the world, and I always recommend and advertise them. Let’s go back to what motivates us all: our passion for running. Word to the Wise, David.
