This week’s Tuesdays on the Run topic is the almighty Racecation. We love the idea of destination racing, but how much does it really cost? Are there factors even more critical than monetary ones when deciding to hit the register button?
My knee jerk reaction to the word “Racecation” is Sign Me Up! I wanna do all the races all over the place. But then? I come to my senses and realize that isn’t really possible. Making the racecation of your dreams a reality takes more than a hardy money tree (you have one, right?) flourishing in the backyard. There are many other factors that need to be considered before you hit that register button:
Racecation Logistics
Lodging: Is a hotel within walking distance to the start/finish line affordable? Does your hotel have a shuttle to the starting line? Does it serve an early runners’ breakfast on race morning? Can you get the pre-race food you need locally or should you bring some with? If you forget something is there a place handy to buy more? Do not count on the expo to have everything. I repeat do. NOT.
Travel: Is the race you’re eyeing reasonably accessible? Can you drive to it? Is it near a major airport? Is public transportation an option? Is parking available and affordable? I’ve coveted the Avenue of the Giants Marathon for eons. Sure getting there would mean a flight to CA. But wait, there’s more: I’d either have to book an additional flight to Eureka or drive 5 hours from San Francisco. Not an easy race to access from here in the Midwest.
Family/Friends. Who’s coming with you? If you’re bringing family, what activities will there be for them to do while you’re relaxing pre-race or running? If they’re spectating, set up a plan ahead of time of where you’ll find them on the course and at the finish line. If you’re running a marathon and you brought children with you it’s unlikely they’ll be happy spectating along the course the entire time you’re running. Research kid-friendly attractions and activities they’ll enjoy. The hotel pool and the local zoo were always popular when my kiddos were younger.
Racecation Timing
Calendar: Not only your own but that of your family. I learned this lesson the hard way when I booked a trip to Cincinnati to run the Flying Pig 3-way a few years ago. I had no idea it would conflict with my daughter’s track conference finals. I still went and ran but she ended up staying behind and I regret missing her track event.
Climate and course. Is the race you desire at a time of year that is convenient for you? Is it a good time to take off work? What is the weather like then? The Great Wall of China Marathon is an amazing opportunity but one needs to take into account the average temperature there on race day is 86 degrees and humid. Plus air pollution is no joke.
Have you run a destination race? What factors do you take into account when planning a racecation? Did you enter my giveaway?
The cost of taking family/friends vs the cost of leaving them behind: a running mom Sophie’s Choice! It can make a racecation “cost” a lot more than we think, eh?
So many things to consider! Good post!
Great list, Marcia! I do put a lot of thought into my racecations.
We brought the dogs on one, are bringing Lola to this one — if you plan on bringing dogs, you have to make sure they allow dogs at the start! Some don’t. We would have brought them to one in CT, but it specifically said no dogs (started on a farm).
Of course people still did bring them, but we play by the rules.
Great tips. I always just sign up then think, crap, do the kids have something that weekend ?!
I recently signed up for a destination race, only to realize I would have to fly then drive 2 hours to get there. So I decided not to go ! Too expensive and inconvenient at this point in my life.
Climate definitely plays a role in where we travel. After October I choose to not do any races above the Mason Dixon line because you never know about the weather and I hate being cold at the start. A local 5k is okay though since it’s not a long distance!
This was a great topic one I had to get on on. I still consider my mini weekends Racecations most times. It takes a lot of planning to have a successful one. I do much of that planning in the warmer months when. Im not racing but hey planning is just as much fun as doing it.
Thanks for the link up.
I have never done a race-cation but I have often thought about it. 🙂 I would love to do a trail race in the Pacific Northwest. The only reason I would want it to be a race is because I would feel uncomfortable running trail alone in a place I am not familiar with. I’m more concerned with wildlife than wackos, but I would be concerned about wackos too. You know there are a lot of serial killers in the Pacific Northwest because there are so many places to hide the bodies.
Big Sur conflicted with Matthew’s gymnastics conference finals and I felt bad about missing that. But my parents were there and that helped. My mom even videoed it and sent it to me. Technology is a good thing!
I actually didn’t even consider more than monetary costs when I was writing m post, but you’re absolutely right! For example, I had a heck of a time finding someone to ride with me to Atlanta this past weekend for the Tough Mudder I wrote about as it was mother’s day. Since my mom typically works on Mother’s Day, it’s not a big deal for me, but many of my friends were saying they wanted to spend the day with their mom’s instead of travel (which I don’t blame them in the least.) I did end up finding someone to come with me, but it could have been a better timing issue on my part.
If I travel for a race, I definitely try to go with someone to share costs (hotel, transportation, etc.). That helps a lot.
That’s one thing I love about races at Disneyland vs. WDW. There are so many hotels within walking distance, mini marts and CVS’s I can get food, or hoard food from the continental breakfasts. It’s hard to take it easy on racecations though, so I do them sporadically, which I”m sure my bank account appreciates.
This is a fantastic compilation of things to consider! Hotels that serve free breakfast are a godsend, and the logistics between airport/hotel/start line/expo can cause huge problems! I got burned on scheduling when I signed up for Rock N Roll San Antonio last year because Adam’s company’s holiday party ended up taking place that same weekend. I went to San Antonio alone, and Adam went to his company party solo. Bad timing!
I agree with Jenn. It always helps to make it a getaway with the girlfriends so you can all share the costs!
The timing thing is tough! Especially with so many races requiring signing up months in advance and a busy family. Great post!
My last racecartion was Philly. It was a short drive, I split the hotel with 3 of my girlfriends which helped keep the cost lower. It all does add up so quickly though…ugh
We don’t do a lot of racecations these days with kids, but the ones we do are usually based around people we know in that city. Most of the time I stick to races within driving distance to make it easier on the whole family.
Having something to entertain the family is an important consideration! Thankfully, most races I’ve done are early enough in the morning that Darrell and Oliver are content hanging out in underwear watching cartoons in bed until it gets close to my finish time. However, that requires being within walking distance of the race or having multiple cars. I left them behind for one race I ran in a town an hour away because I couldn’t find a hotel reasonably close and the logistics and getting back and forth and entertaining a kid were too much to bear.
My desire to run all over the place often runs into conflict with the kids’ schedules. I haven’t traveled to a race in a while, but with RnR I’m looking forward to some trips this fall 🙂
Ummmmmmmmmmmmm, not here! 🙂
I attempted a race-cation this year but it didn’t pan out unfortunately. It ended up being really costly and I foolishly didn’t research that beforehand.
Now that I’m in for MCM, though, I HAVE to make it happen! It helps that I have family and friends in the area. 🙂
I love the tips! There are things I didn’t think about before. I’m saving this for considering the Virginia R’nR.
Thank you!
I do a racecation every year. It’s usually to a capital city because it’s just easier and always in Australia so far. But next year I’ve got my first (and hopefully not my last) overseas event planned.
I agree… racecations sound like fun, but there is a lot more than just hitting that register button!
Great points, especially for cost. The farthest I’ve traveled for a race is a couple hours, so I haven’t had a change to do a destination race per say, yet.
Great things to consider!
I agree and do much of the same when I do. Except the bring family and friends along. I rarely do that just for cost for them but if I do I put it all on them to get their own flight, LOL
However, if I do bring family along I like to make sure that I put a 2nd person’s name on the car rental for the day of the race. For a few reasons, one so they can maybe drop me off or pick me up, but also so they can go play or sightsee or do something fun while I am running instead of waiting around for me.
I love a good race-cation, the big one this year is the Cape Cod half. I have always wanted to go and I am thinking it might be a bit pricey but on well, that hubby is going. Without him I do try to look at all those things first 🙂
i obviously love a racecation, but the $$, side kicks for the race and time of year all matter to me. I’ve got a decent amount of hard to get to and expensive trips left, but they are also mini vacations so i’m looking forward to them.