What is a reasonable cost for a HM? (Read 827 times)

I am considering running my first HM at the end of May. http://www.seejanerun.com/t-See-Jane-Run-Half-Marathon-and-5K-details.aspx The reasons to run this race are: 5 miles from home, flat course, good cause, and chocolate and champagne at the finish. The registration fee of $85 seems a little stiff. I usually run races organized by a local running club, and these are a $5. Last time I ran a professionally organized race (15 years ago) the registration fees were generally in the $25-$40 range.

What is reasonable? Indeed, a good question. Well Jane, I would suppose that would depend where you live. Your profile has you in San Francisco, which has I believe, if not the highest cost of living in the country, I think it's in the top 5. High costs of living means that most all of the costs of putting on a race are higher than they'd be elsewhere. So, never having lived in SF, I'm gonna guess and say that $85 for a HM in SF is probably reasonable. Have you checked out any of the competition? How much do other halves in SF cost? I think it can all be summed up by the wise man who once opined, "Mo money, mo problems."

The going rate for the good half marathons around here is $30-35 for early registration, $45-55 day of race. Some smaller ones are less than that, some bigger, more foofy ones are a little more. $85 is out of hand.

I think I have paid $35 for my two halfs (early reg); Upcoming Marathon only paid $65 (early discount in January) but think now going for $85 - 90. but I think we only get one domestic beer afterwards, as I think Chocolate and champaign puts this race in the foofy range.

My first HM last September cost me $27 pre-registration, my next HM in two weeks cost $50 pre-registration and it is the most expensive in my area AFAIK.

But if it's local then you're not dealing with travel and hotel costs, etc., so total cost is not such a bad deal.

Interestingly, the high priced destination races look at it the other way... if you are traveling to our fine event, then you won't care so much that we're charging you $125 because that's small compared to hotel, flight, lap dance, etc,

Our half (http://www.seacoasthalfmarathon.com) will be charging $50 this year. We chose a different local non-profit as our beneficiary each year, and every penny after race expenses are paid goes to the beneficiary or to the other non-profits who compete in our water stop competition. Most halfs in this area (northern New England) charge at least $40, and not all are fund-raisers, so we don't feel we're out of line for this part of the country. Jay

I did a quick survey of the Chicagoland area half marathon fees. Where there is a sliding scale, I listed the low-high range: Chicago R'n'R Half: $70-$95 Chicago Half: $60 North Shore Half: $60 Chicago 13.1: $55-$90

a lot of it is regional. Mikey can find races a lot cheaper in general than I can. There is one HM around here that is $22-27 (without shirt - add $20 for shirt) There are probably 4-5 in the $45-65 range There is one that sells out in about 2 days that is closer to $90 and it isnt even a good race (well organized, awful course), but it is all women and it has good schwag. My absolute favorite half is $55-60 and I will do it anyway. I love the course, I love that it is the week of my birthday every year so it's my birthday present to me. I love that as far as local HM''s go it is the most local