A few things have changed over the last few years. The two-time-loser rule has been abolished, and heading into last year, any old Joe could throw their name into the lottery bucket. In order to get into last years lottery, you just needed to sign up.... that's it. If you were chosen in the lottery, then you send in the money. You didn't even need to have proof of a qualifying time... seriously... ANYONE... even your 96 year old mother, could have entered last years (2010) Western States 100.
So entering this years lottery for the 2011 race, things have changed once again. For starters, you must provide proof of having run a qualifying time before entering the lottery this year. You must also have the entry fee on the ready so that if your name is pulled in December, your credit card automatically gets charged. Mildly inconvenient to those of us who don't have credit cards, but use debit cards, and it's tough to float the money in our accounts for a month on end. These changes, I think, are all great as it'll keep the crowd entering the lottery a little more reasonable and increase the chances for many to actually run the race.
So... I went to the ultrasignup.com website to throw my name in the bucket. Because if I fail to get picked this year, I get an extra ticket for the next year. A great deal.. and if I ever want to run the Grand Slam again.. I need to start accumulating extra chances. That is until I got to the part where I needed to float the money... no big deal.. until I saw the amount and almost crapped myself. I was instantly furious... this years Entry Fee for the Western States 100 is $375 making it the most expensive 100 miler on the continent, before lodging, meals, etc etc.
How Much We Talking Here?
So that got me to thinking about the historical price of entering Western States since I'd been trying to get in. Here is how it shapes up with % increase from year to year.
2007: $195
2008: $250 (+28%)
2009: $295 (+18%) (Race Cancelled due to Fires)
2010: $307 (+5%)
2011: $375 (+22%)
So in looking at these numbers, over the last 5 years the cost to run the WS100 has increased a total of $180 or an increase of 92%. Now, I point this out for a few reasons.
1.) I've run Western States and it's not worth a $375 price tag. This is simply a product of supply and demand and I don't think the money taken in is going where it needs to go or is being spent in ways congruent with my own morals.
2.) Besides it being the first 100 miler in the country.. there isn't anything else special about Western States.
3.) Since well before 2007, The Vermont 100 has had an entry fee of $200.... it hasn't been raised in more then 5 years as far as I know and an e-mail to the RD told me that she doesn't remember the last time they increased the fee either.
A Closer Look
I was the race director for a 200, 100 and 50 mile trail race in Vermont back in 2008. I looked at the chance to direct races as an opportunity to give back to the community that had given so much to me. Race directing is VERY time consuming and I applaud those who do it. It's a thankless job for sure. For those who make a living out of race directing, good for you... I'm sure there are many who'd love to do the same. But I think some of the pay days these RD's are taking is a bit much. Case in point; WS100.
WS100 RD PayChecks:
2008: $45,000
2007: $43,000
(According to 990 Filings)
JFK 50
2006 Fee = $50
2009 Fee = $150 (+200% over 3 years)
BADWATER 135
2009 Fee = $300
2010 Fee = $800 (+167% over 1 year)
LEADVILLE 100
2008 Fee = $275
2011 Fee = $350 (+27%)
(Max Charge for Late Entries)
What do all of these races have in common besides the huge increases? All three races have race directors that take HUGE pay checks. We're talking in the thousands. Consider if you will that Leadville generates $263,000 in revenue from the 100 Mile Trail Run Alone. Badwater takes in $72,000 from 90 runners. But I think the number that's most aggravating is the one where in a 990 filing, we can see that Western States has $185,000 in assets, just kind of hanging around.
Lead By Example
For the past 4 years I've run in the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run. For the past 4 years, I've paid $200... every year... EVERY year to run the race. It's a fundraiser for a great organization in Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sport and to my knowledge, there isn't hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets hanging around for a rainy day. I'd MUCH rather run a race, organized and run with integrity such as this, as opposed to those who seem to only be interested in profiting off of popularity brought to them by New York Times Best Selling Books. (WS100, Badwater and Leadville)
The Grand Slam = BROKE
So, in order to run the Grand Slam of Ultra-Running one must now shell out around $1100 in entry fee's alone for four races. Start piling on the costs of travel, lodging, crew, meals, souvenirs, etc... and it's unlikely that many will be able to afford it. Perhaps this is why not many younger runners have run the Grand Slam since 2006.. the last time it was reasonable to even be able to pay for the entire adventure. So much for ultra-land fostering growth in the sport.
Other Popular 100 Prices
Rocky Racoon: $175
Wasatch: $175 (Grand Slam Race)
Arkansas Traveller: $180
Vermont: $200 (Grand Slam Race)
Mohican: $225
Bighorn: $225
Bear: $225
Hardrock: $250
Angeles Crest: $295
Leadville: $350
WS100: $375
Perhaps one day.. money will grow on trees....
You say that per the 990 WS has 185,000 in assets hanging around. I did not take the time to look at the 990 but what is the year end? This may have a lot to do with those assets. If it is December that would mean that they have collected the entry fees but have not paid most of the expenses. I am not saying the increase in entry fee is good or bad. But I do think that looking at the balance sheet at a certain day of the year may not tell the whole story.
ReplyDeleteHenry
Henry,
ReplyDeleteYes it was year end and does not include revenues from entry fees taken in. This was the 2008 990. Even so.. in 2008, it cost $295 to enter the lottery and over 1000 runners applied. $300,000 is a far cry from $185,000.
John,
ReplyDeleteYour financials don't make sense. 1000 people applied ($300,000k) but they don't keep the money from the people who don't get in, so they didn't raise that much revenue. Also, unless they use a different day for their year end, they have to claim all their revenue on their taxes for that year.
And as a business owner I have to ask you....who cares how money they make? It is simple business, and we live in America. If they raise the entry price to high they won't sell spots. If they raise the price and sell out every spot they probably aren't charging enough. It is all about supply and demand. I say good for them.
One more question. You talk about their assets. That is a totally different thing than revenue or cash on hand. For a company who has been doing something for many years $185k in assets is not a lot.
ReplyDeleteHey Nate,
ReplyDeleteYeah.. I know what you're saying about the financials. It's more like $131,000 that they bring in from entrants. And I also understand that "assets" refers to things like water jugs, tents, sound equipment, etc etc etc.
My argument is that Western States is entirely over done. $185K in assets for a trail run.. is a lot. For a business like the one you own.. probably not so much but a trail race? Come on...
Who cares how much they make? Well.. I do. I guess I'm from the school of thought that they should zero out every year, they should be donating more money to non-profits they support as opposed to having the RD take a pay day, and stuff like that.
You are right though.. this is a supply and demand thing.. and I eluded to that in my post. But when I look at "supply" I think of what you get at the race in terms of the experience... I've been there... it's not worth $375. Nor do I think leadville is worth $350! But they at least have a pricing tier.
John,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that you are not the only one who feels that they should not make that much. I guess that I am just a capitalist! I thought that the $350 I spent for my Leadville entry was possibly the best money Ive ever spent!
Nate, You probably also primarily vote republican. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think that the amount i paid for Barkley was better spent. Ha... no seriously. I think the $200 I've always paid for Vermont is just right. The money always goes to a good cause. The race there is a bit more grass roots and not so much commercialized and BIG MONEY. So.. I don't think the money I spent at Leadville was worth the $300 price tag. but $250 for Hardrock.. I know what's out there.. and yeah.. that'll be worth it.
I agree John that VT100 is a wonderful race and I do feel good about where the money goes. I will try next tear to buckle at VT100 and if I don"t I will just have a wonderful day out on a beautiful course..good friends, kind people and a great post race chow down : ) WS put me in financial disarry for the past 6 months ; ) but it was a nice experience and I loved the people I met.
ReplyDeleteIt was the 2008 WS that got cancelled. Badwater was not $300 in 2009, I forget what it was exactly, but it was around $600-800. The fees for races are just ridiculous. We are tight with our money with the economic downfall and have really chosen fat ass races and cheaper races. Umstead I think is $125 or $150 and I did a FA 100 at the DE 100 which was free and my next 100, Bartram is $75. My kind of races! I am sorry I missed WS due to the fires, and not sure when I will ever be able to afford it again. Badwater is expensive. I am thinking if I get in for 2011, it is going to cost me $3500 to do it the cheapest way possible. Sigh. BUT I will say the whole WS trip was about that much money!!!!!!! Airfare at the time for me and my husband was $1600!!!!!!!!!!! Add to that the hotels, the rental car, etc, it was over $2000. For what? there are a lot of comparable races, imo.
ReplyDelete