Running? Cheap. Marathoning? Not So Much.

From Runner’s World…

Running? Cheap. Marathoning? Not So Much.

03/31/2010 6:33 AM

Mark Remy

Here’s a headline that caught my eye recently:

Marathons Becoming Even More Popular

You know what, he's right -- his new wallet DOES have a nice lining.

This headline took me to About.com’s Running/Jogging blog, by Christine Luff.

In her “Even More Popular” post, Luff notes that marathon participation is spiking, and races are filling up more quickly than ever. This isn’t exactly news for those of us who run marathons, or for anyone who’s tried to register for one lately and been shut out.

The part that might surprise you comes a bit later, as Luff wonders what could be driving this trend.

In part, she writes:

What’s behind the marathon “mania”?  It has a lot to do with the bad economy. Running is an inexpensive sport, and –

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold it. Back up.

What?

The “all you need is a pair of shoes” line is an old chestnut — surely RW has used it more than once; I’m sure I have, too — and it’s true enough, as far as it goes. As long as you’re talking strictly about running, that is. Just lacin’ up the old shoes and headin’ out the door.

Add a bib number to the equation, and things begin to get not-so-inexpensive. Make it a bib number for a marathon — especially one that isn’t in your back yard — and expenses begin to mushroom. A big, rollicking, “destination” marathon? The mushroom begins to snowball.

In short: Running may be inexpensive, but marathoning sure isn’t.

My friend and colleague Bart Yasso likes to say that the average marathon medal costs about a thousand bucks. Which sounds outrageous, till you pause to do the math.

Here’s how my own expenses for last weekend’s Knoxville Marathon broke down. (Some figures are precise; others, guesstimates.)

Race registration: $76
Roundtrip flight & hotel (three nights): $620
Annoying checked-bag surcharges: $50
Meals: $130
Beers*: $75
Stupid room-service surchages and stuff: $30
Airport candy, magazines, tiny tube of Crest, etc.: $25
Airport-hotel cab rides: $70
Airport parking**: $36

TOTAL: $1,112

* Including overpriced airport bar beers, during layovers.
** Economy parking!

Now that I add it up, I wish I hadn’t. It’s even worse than I thought. Luckily I was able to sell some books at the expo, which helped a lot to defray my costs, but still… dang.

If it’s an affordable pastime you’re looking for, folks, keep right on looking.

If these numbers don’t dissuade you, however, well… maybe I’ll see you on the road sometime, at an airport bar. You can buy me an overpriced beer.