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Comment by dayvid | Hacker News Reader

At least in America, endurance sports are terribly overpriced.

I lived in Japan for two years and entered 6 half-marathons as an English teacher on small salary. Each race for $40-50 and came with a free t-shirt promoting the town the event took place in. Many people from the community (not just the wealthy) took part.

When I returned to America, I was excited to join races in America. Every long distance race was $100+. I haven't raced in a single half-marathon since. I can't justify spending that much money to run in the street. It turns more into an ego/selfie-experience than a celebration of running.

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> Every long distance race was $100+.

I've found that the large scale races (like the Rock and Roll series) are generally the ones that have high sticker costs - most likely because they have higher administrative overhead and entertainment expenses. Local series usually come with saner pricing. Usually.

> It turns more into an ego/selfie-experience than a celebration of running.

I don't do too many running events during the year but when I do, they are fun because you are running with a large group of people who have also put in the work to cover the distance (not matter how fast or slow). In that sense, it is a celebration of running. I also don't have a problem with people taking a quick selfie because it's a goal they've worked for and they are excited. Let them have the moment and hope they keep up with the exercise. Plus the amount of people taking selfies during the run really isn't anything to be bothered by.

The San Francisco Marathon (for 2019) costs $233 to register for the full marathon, and about $143 for the half. It's definitely overpriced here.

Is picking one of the most famous marathons a representative sample of the entire industry?

I mean, presumably for every New York Marathon and Boston Marathon, there are 100 less famous events that can't command such a high price?

San Francisco marathon isn't generally regarded as an elite event, let alone "famous". Most metropolitan road races are around this price point. Especially pricier the closer you register to race-date.

But to your point, there are many smaller races that are cheaper. But often these are less organized, fewer road closures, less exciting, fewer perks; you get what you pay for.

My wife has signed up for 3 half-marathons in the last year and the maximum cost was $60 (and they all came with a t-shirt).

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