Are We Being Ripped Off?

BY JACK GRAY

The Fort Worth running scene could hardly be better. We are blessed far beyond what most of us realize. I would not trade it for any other. We have a great Running Club that is almost incomparable whet it comes to providing rich benefits at a low cost. We have some remarkably good race directors in our area. They seldom get the recognition they richly deserve for putting on good events. We have willing sponsors who consitenly support our races. We have miles and miles of good trails, plus those who are interested in making them better. There are excellent running stores that not only handle good products but also are concerned about health isssues. They provide many training programs (both pain and free) that promote our sport. We even get to live in a health-conscious enviroment that encourages those who run. As a result, we get to choose from year round races. There is hardly a weekend any time during the year when a race is not available nearby; and sometimes as many as 6 to 8. In light of all this, it seems that we should be extremely grateful in just counting our blessings. Again, I would not want to be anywhere else.

It seems however, that when you have something that is exceptionally good there is always a door open for abuses. There are those who want to reap the benefits without paying the price necessary to having a good event. We may be facing that situation in our races now.

1. THERE ARE THE ESCULATING PRICE. Gradually a three tier price structure (instead of two) is being introduced in our area. This has placed race day registration almost beyond the reach of many. Even the cut off date for early registration is being pushed back. Where once you could count on it being no more than a week before the event, some now want our money sooner than that. There are many reasons why preregistration is absolutely necessary. Expenses for the event must be taken care of early; but the question is what is reasonable for all concerned? Runners find it very difficut to be signed up for more than one race at a time. Family plans and potential injuries are just too uncertain.

2. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHARITIES. Races help to finance and promote many good works. Some charities could hardly survive without them. Isit proper, however, to force runners to make a donation just to participate in a race? Many would gladly do this for their favorite charity; but who wants to do it for 50 a year? It is one thing for those promoting a race to donate their reasonable profits to any charity they choose. It is quite another to put the entrace fees so high that runners are being compelled to donate. Sometimes to charities they know nothing about. Runners are glad to pay a reasonable fee to support a good race. Shouldn't anything beyond that be their own choice?

3. RACES BEING PUT ON BY THOSE WHO KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RUNNING. Often those involved do not run and know almost nothing about what would please runners or what would be necessary to have a good race. This doesn't mean they can't learn. They can get good information from experienced race directors if only they will listen. It simply reflects how some have been drawn in by the desire for quick profits; and thus are looking too much at the bottom line, rather than having a genuine concern for those who participate.

4. THERE IS AT LEAST THE PERCEPTION OF AN UNCARING SPIRIT ON THE PART OF SOME. Have you noticed that Goody Bags are almost a thing of the past? Have you observed that trophies generally are getting smaller and cheaper? Some don't even want to provide safety pins anymore. Others will hand you a shirt and number without even a sack to put it in. The remarkable thing is that much of this and more will be provided free, if someone is interested enough to ask. When people don't care, runners have to make unnecessary trips to pick up materials, accept wrong size shirts (even long before the race) and endure inconveniences that are forced on them...sometimes without any explanation or apology.

WHAT IS THE PROPER PRICE FOR A 5K? In every case, I simply do not know. Circumstances centainly differ from one another. We do know, however, that some are putting on exceptional races in the $12 to $15 rance; and making sizable donations to the charity of their choice with prifits, plus having good trophies and well designed shirts. The question naturally ariseds why others can't do the same. Could a $25 price possible be justified for a 5K? All we are asking for is good races at reasonable prices. Let's support and encourage those who give them to us; and let's be mindful of those who don't.