It costs how much to run?

When you get into running the first thing you hear is how there is little equipment to run.  Really all you need is a pair of running shoes and nothing more.  It doesn’t cost to step out the door and head down your street for a 5-mile run.  What people don’t tell you is how much it costs when you start to really get into it and when you want to go the distance by running a Half Marathon or a Marathon. 

Of course you can do the local events and the costs might be cheaper but if you want to experience or have an excuse to go to a great city you have to pay the price.  For the purpose of this blog post I am going to stick with the costs of doing a Half Marathon.  More people are stepping up their training to enter this race more than the Marathon partly because it is easier on your training time and it’s easier on your wallet. But is it really?

The Disney Half Marathon held in January of every year costs $160 dollars.  But let’s be truthful, I find it worth every penny.  Yes, Disney is making a profit, but they are also making this one of the best races if you want to have fun. Characters are everywhere, the medal is one of the best if not the best and the shirts for this run are top notch. I run 2 of these events a year and am hoping to take it across the coast to Disneyland in 2012 which will add more bling for no additional cost for the Coast to Coast medal.  The Disneyland Half is $145 and I’m hoping well worth the trip to the other ocean.

As much as Disney might be in it for the money, I’ve heard that the Rock n’Roll Series of Half Marathons will really hit you in the wallet.  The Chicago Rock n’Roll entrance fee is $120, the Zappos.com Rock n’Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon will cost you $155 and the new Savannah will cost you $105.  What they don’t tell you is that for Savannah they are charging for the transportation to the race and I’ve never heard of this but they are charging for your friends and family to track you throughout the race.  Something I am hoping that iPhone’s new Siri will help me with in the future. 

If you want to put your money to good use, I recommend a great race out of Jacksonville, FL, The 26.2 with Donna, the National Breast Cancer Marathon.  100% of the $95.00 entrance goes to help women with Breast Cancer and the research to finish the disease. Plus how much fun is it to run on the beach in February!

No matter what race you choose, undoubtedly you will have a great time and will be rewarded with an outstanding accomplishment as well as a beautiful medal to add to your collection.  If you sign up for the Nike Women’s Half Marathon it can even be a Tiffany Necklace. 

Happy Running.