[canalrunner]

Now I am going to sound like I am getting old (I remember in my day when a stamp was 12 cents and milk was less than a dollar--he says as he searches for his false teeth) but I was thinking about entering the New York Marathon this year. My plan was to run a qualifying (sub 1:30) half marathon this spring, skip the lotto New York deal, and advance directly to the NY Marathon go. Then I checked entry fee: $200 for someone from Canada plus the $11 non-refundable entry fee. YIKES!! I had a bit of sticker shock. $211. Wow. Plus you throw in at least two nights of NY hotels plus food plus transportation. DOUBLE YIKES. It has to be at least $1,000--1,200 for the weekend.<br><br>
I had already experienced the bump in price with Boston to mid $150's for entry plus endured the gouging hotel prices which were the only negative part of the Boston experience, but to me, this is moving things up a notch.<br><br>
I guess my question is simple: Is the New York Marathon worth it? Boston had the qualifying, the history the fans, and certain running cache. I know NY is large, is more of a party than a marathon and has lots of fans, but as I said: is it worth it?<br><br>
Right now, I am thinking of picking another fall marathon.

 

[ksrunr]

That sounds pretty steep. I think I paid $125 for Disney and aren't most around 80-120? Never run NY but might pay that one time to say I had. I'm so far S. in TX it costs $1000 round trip to anywhere to run for the mrs and I. Add on high priced hotels and it's almost out of reach.

 

[Tamster]

yeah, and you used to be able to take your kids to a pro baseball game, have decent seats, get snacks and drinks and a silly sponge finger for your kid for a reasonable price too.<br>
Some marathons are financially out of reach for your average person - who might have a lot of talent, just not a lot of money to drop on a race. So goes America.

 

[RunsTheBitterroot]

I guess if a person wanted to go on vacation there it might be worth it, but there are just to many other places I would rather go that doesn't cost anywhere near that. I think though if I lived in the area, the entry fee wouldn't be an issue as it would be worth it. Larry

 

[Johnny]

$.04 postage, $0.50 milk, and the bridge is permanently installed, so I don't have to look for it. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Those prices seem pretty high, but what's worse is actually paying $100 plus to run a marathon and then not being able to show up <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> and start. This year (and as long as we're in a housing industry recession in the US) I'm planning on doing more of my local running club races at $15-$25 a pop, with a "destination race" or two I'm working into my vacation plans.<br><br>
You can find bargains when you look around. Don't like high MLB prices, go to a minor league game, they play real hard; $200 Clapton tickets got ya bummed, go to a local club. There's a bunch of players just as good as EC, just haven't had the breaks for one reason or another. Stepping down from soapbox, sorry,....... but at least I didn't say anything political, .... this time <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> .

 

[Tamster]

dang johnny . . . . you been around as long as dirt or what??? <img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif"><br><br><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Ileneforward]

I ran New York last year and it was unbelievable! People along the entire route cheering (except for on the bridges) The neighborhoods, the runners from all over the world. It was the best marathon ever (I've done 10)!!<br><br>
I stayed on Staten Island so it wasn't as expensive as the city and the Staten Island ferry is free both ways. Plus you get to slide by the Statue of Liberty. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> I loved it! Everyone should run it at least once!

 

[hally]

Of course she left out the part where she tried to find a place to PAY for the SI Ferry <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Ileneforward]

<img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Yes but the handsome NYFD recruiter told me for <i>me</i> it would be free! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Coastwalker]

I agree with Ilene that everybody should run NY once - it is an extraordinary experience! Now, I stay away from the huge races in favor of smaller, more manageable crowds and more manageable entry fees. There are plenty of outstanding races out there that don't create a canyon in you wallet when you go to pay your entry fee.<br><br>
Jay