UPDATE! I did it! Rode across the USA on a bicycle! Check out my journal of the adventure here at: Three Spokes and a Mirror
Ron Horton of tricharlotte.com recently emailed me with news that the cost of running the ING New York City Marathon was going up again.
marathonguide.com reported the "Holy Cow" entry fee for the 2008 New York City Marathon would be $166 (USA) and $221 (International) plus an $11 processing fee. WOW!
But wait there's more. Here's a list of additional fees you'll probably pay in 2008:
1. Besides the entry fee, you'll pay a "per-completed-mile" fee- estimated to be $1.oo per mile.
2. Each aid station along the route will have a self service kiosk where you'll pay for each drink, GU packet, and orange slice you consume. All of this will be linked to your timing chip and credit card. CHA_CHING!!!!
3. The City "may" charge each runner a "road usage" fee.
4. Finally, want to use the Port-a-Potty? You'll need to purchase a $25 "bathroom access key" during the registration process (they'll mail it to you). Just swipe the key on the door when you need to go. Who knew the Port-a-Potty industry was so innovative?
Now all these nickel-and-dime-you-to-death charges are likely to cause some backlash in the running community. I predict a whole new breed of renegade runners groups will sprout up in rebellion to find ways to thwart the evils of these "Runner Technologies"- should we name our group now?
I could go on but don't want to scare you too bad.
Happy running,
Marc
2 comments:
Luckily, the small, local marathons are still relatively cheap and much more fun to run. Makes Grandfather Mtn look like a bargain at $65.
I drove some of these runners to pick up their race numbers at the convention center last week. They came from London and Los Angeles. One group gave a generous tip while the other was under 10%. I tend to judge an appropriate tip by circumstantial evidence such as the fee for entering an event someone asks me to drive them to. Funny, eh? Hooray for the yellow cabdrivers of NYC. We rule.
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