Dear NYRR,
This isn’t even including any medication that some people require, like an inhaler. I’m now fortunate to live close to the NYCM finish line. But I used to live in Queens. Which is far from the Tavern on the Green finish line. I didn’t have the luxury of popping over to my apt to shower and get personal items post-race. Honestly, if I had, I probably would have passed out and not moved until Monday morning. But after months of training, all you want to do is celebrate with your family and friends who supported you all those months and cheered you on during the race.
I know that not too long ago, ok 15 years ago, people didn’t have cell phones. They survived. I get it. But the NYCM wasn’t the size it is today. You tout you are the largest marathon in the world; well you need to accommodate your 45,000+ runners. In 2009, I ran the NYCM hoping to Boston Qualify (I had a great race the previous year and thought it could be possible). Well that didn’t happen. Not sure what I did wrong, but I was slightly faintish after I finished. I called my sisters and dad to locate them on CPW. I was slightly out of it and couldn’t comprehend where they were. I finally found them, and I had a phone to communicate with. What if there’s nothing to communicate with? Should we use smoke signals? Oh wait, where would we put our matches? Oh and I’m pretty sure the NYPD wouldn’t be pleased with their no fire policy in Central Park.
I’m about to run my 6th marathon. I’ve run marathons in Alaska, DC, NYC, and Amsterdam, and am about to head to Chicago. I understand what it takes to travel locally and long-distance for a race. Although, going to Staten Island seems like traveling long-distance. If you are lucky, you have friends that could meet you at the end. But, what are you going to give your friend all your stuff the night before? So yeah, let’s run around NYC to coordinate the night before a big race. And if you are visiting? You may not have anyone to help you out. So you are stuck. Unless you find a random Good Samaritan. But I doubt it.
I was contemplating on running the NYCM again next year. It’s a great race and it’s not like any other. However, I will now stop contemplating. I had planned on getting my 9+1 just in case. So far this year, I’ve run 4 races with NYRR. Five toward the 9+1 if you count the cancelled Manhattan ½. What has stopped me from signing up for other races? Well increased fees number one. Apparently members don’t get as much as a discount like they used to. I’ve been running with NYRR since 2007 and it’s sad that prices have gone up this much. Also, there are now shorter deadlines for the race fee increase. For example, if I wanted to run the Fitness Games 4-miler on September 15th, in order to benefit from the lower race fee, I would have had to sign up prior to May 28th. That’s over 3 months in advance. Really, 3 months for a 4-miler? I didn’t know what I would be doing in September back in May. I know plenty of people who have had unexpected travel plans come up or they get injured. My friend signed up for a ton of races this year and hasn’t been able to participate in most due to injury. So not only did she waste her money, but now that’s one less spot for another runner. But there’s such a demand, that runners sign up so far in advance and now races now sell out much quicker than they should.
So the price difference doesn’t seem like much when delaying your registration—only $5. But that adds up over time. In 2008, I ran 18 races. If I had signed up late, that would have resulted in an extra $90. I’d rather spend that on a new running jacket. The price of the marathon is now over $200. Outrageous. For a non-elite runner, who doesn’t qualify with time, this is what I would pay to run the NYCM in 2013.
This totals $526. To run one race? No more. Last year, I paid 59 euros to run Amsterdam, which was equivalent to $85. I’m running Chicago and paid $150. Yeah, still pricey, but didn’t have to pay for all these other races like I hav,e and would have to for NYC.
Sincerely,
Shawnessy
Yesterday I received an email with the latest news from you in regards
to the NYC Marathon. No bag check. Really? I decided to run the Chicago
Marathon this year, but I live in NYC and my 2 sisters are running, along with
many our friends and their families. Most live here, but some are traveling
down to NYC to run the largest marathon in the world. How do you think the bag
check will affect them? Well I will tell you.
I ran the NYCM in 2009 and 2010. Below you’ll see my list of items that
I brought with me. I try not to bring a lot since I don’t want to carry it, but
there are items you just need after running 26.2 miles.
In no particular order:
- Keys: To get back into my apartment later
- Metrocard: To get to Staten Island and back home later
- License: A form of ID just in case I need it, oh and to get into the bar later that day to celebrate
- Insurance card: Because my doctor friends tell me I should have it in case something happens
- Phone: To get into contact with family and friends post-race. Also to tell the Facebook and Twitter world how my race went.
- Camera: To document the momentous day that took months of training to accomplish
- Change of clothes: Because I sweat (a lot) and its cold in November
- Face wipes: To try to get some of the sweat off of my face post-race
- Food and drink: Yes, this will most likely get consumed pre-race, but I may want a snack later on or a drink (water bottle, Gatorade)
- Cash: In case of emergency
- Credit card: To celebrate, and buy lunch and beer post-race
- Misc items: Chap-stick, extra hair tie, ect
This isn’t even including any medication that some people require, like an inhaler. I’m now fortunate to live close to the NYCM finish line. But I used to live in Queens. Which is far from the Tavern on the Green finish line. I didn’t have the luxury of popping over to my apt to shower and get personal items post-race. Honestly, if I had, I probably would have passed out and not moved until Monday morning. But after months of training, all you want to do is celebrate with your family and friends who supported you all those months and cheered you on during the race.
I know that not too long ago, ok 15 years ago, people didn’t have cell phones. They survived. I get it. But the NYCM wasn’t the size it is today. You tout you are the largest marathon in the world; well you need to accommodate your 45,000+ runners. In 2009, I ran the NYCM hoping to Boston Qualify (I had a great race the previous year and thought it could be possible). Well that didn’t happen. Not sure what I did wrong, but I was slightly faintish after I finished. I called my sisters and dad to locate them on CPW. I was slightly out of it and couldn’t comprehend where they were. I finally found them, and I had a phone to communicate with. What if there’s nothing to communicate with? Should we use smoke signals? Oh wait, where would we put our matches? Oh and I’m pretty sure the NYPD wouldn’t be pleased with their no fire policy in Central Park.
I’m about to run my 6th marathon. I’ve run marathons in Alaska, DC, NYC, and Amsterdam, and am about to head to Chicago. I understand what it takes to travel locally and long-distance for a race. Although, going to Staten Island seems like traveling long-distance. If you are lucky, you have friends that could meet you at the end. But, what are you going to give your friend all your stuff the night before? So yeah, let’s run around NYC to coordinate the night before a big race. And if you are visiting? You may not have anyone to help you out. So you are stuck. Unless you find a random Good Samaritan. But I doubt it.
I was contemplating on running the NYCM again next year. It’s a great race and it’s not like any other. However, I will now stop contemplating. I had planned on getting my 9+1 just in case. So far this year, I’ve run 4 races with NYRR. Five toward the 9+1 if you count the cancelled Manhattan ½. What has stopped me from signing up for other races? Well increased fees number one. Apparently members don’t get as much as a discount like they used to. I’ve been running with NYRR since 2007 and it’s sad that prices have gone up this much. Also, there are now shorter deadlines for the race fee increase. For example, if I wanted to run the Fitness Games 4-miler on September 15th, in order to benefit from the lower race fee, I would have had to sign up prior to May 28th. That’s over 3 months in advance. Really, 3 months for a 4-miler? I didn’t know what I would be doing in September back in May. I know plenty of people who have had unexpected travel plans come up or they get injured. My friend signed up for a ton of races this year and hasn’t been able to participate in most due to injury. So not only did she waste her money, but now that’s one less spot for another runner. But there’s such a demand, that runners sign up so far in advance and now races now sell out much quicker than they should.
So the price difference doesn’t seem like much when delaying your registration—only $5. But that adds up over time. In 2008, I ran 18 races. If I had signed up late, that would have resulted in an extra $90. I’d rather spend that on a new running jacket. The price of the marathon is now over $200. Outrageous. For a non-elite runner, who doesn’t qualify with time, this is what I would pay to run the NYCM in 2013.
- $40 for NYRR membership
- $216 for the marathon fee
- 9+1 races on average of $30/race
This totals $526. To run one race? No more. Last year, I paid 59 euros to run Amsterdam, which was equivalent to $85. I’m running Chicago and paid $150. Yeah, still pricey, but didn’t have to pay for all these other races like I hav,e and would have to for NYC.
So NYRR, you are just getting too big for your britches. I’ve been
supporting you since I actively started participating in races back in 2007.
Not anymore. I really wanted to run the 5th Avenue mile in
September, but $30 to run a mile? And now it’s $40 to run one of the 5 borough
½ marathons. All races used to be $17, and now they range from $20-$40. It’s
just too much. You don’t even get a good technical t-shirt for most of these
races. I spend enough on running, I
can’t validate spending more.
I do really love the NYC Marathon, but I can’t support it any longer. I
know that people will continue to pay these outrageous fees and accept these
ridiculous race day demands, so this may never improve. I will go out there and
support those running, but I no longer support you. Maybe in 10 years or so
when you change your policy, I’ll reconsider.
For now, it’s time to support other local running organizations.
For now, it’s time to support other local running organizations.
Sincerely,
Shawnessy
Well written, Shawnessy. Bummer, I used to LOVE NYRR.
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