It’s January and race calendars are filling furiously. I signed up for a whopping one race (Wisconsin Half Marathon) so far! But I’m shopping and that may be half the fun.
Last year my goal was to have fun and pretty much stay in half marathon shape all year with a build toward a fall marathon.
This year I aim to reacquaint myself with some speed and strength via 5k.
These are the main elements I consider when committing to a race. For this exercise let’s assume the type of race (5k, 10k, tri, etc.) you want to do is a given.
- Location. Do you aim to race locally? Destination race? Do you look for certain times of year? Particular weather?
- Swag/Bling/Amenities. How important is the shirt? The medal? Are you looking for something unique like shorts/arm sleeves etc. instead of a shirt?
- Price. Are there races you simply will not do because the price is too high? Or is sky the limit if other parameters are in place?
- Friends/Peer Pressure. What percent of races do you do with friends or sign up for because of friends?
- Date. Are there times of year you race the most? Do you schedule races around the rest of your life or vice versa?
Here’s how I ranked them, most important to least:
- Distance. I like to race close to home whenever possible. Unless it’s a bucket-list destination race or a girls’ weekend race junket, I like to keep it convenient. I detest $$$ parking that comes along with big city races-like Chicago.
- Date. Unless it’s a bucket-list race (like MCM was last year) typically I schedule races around other events so the dates need to work for me. I also shy away from races in the heat of the summer.
- Friends/Peer Pressure. I love me some girls’ race weekend fun. But I’m totally fine racing on my own too, especially if I’m in hot pursuit of a PR or have pace goals. That said I’ll pay a hefty race fee and travel great distances for a rocking race weekend with friends.
- Price. IMO some races are overpriced For what some of them are charging, I expect we’ll see semi-precious stones studding the medals soon….what? You don’t think so? Sigh. Price elasticity of demand I guess. They’ll keep charging as long as we keep shelling out the dough. If prices are high, I have very high expectations for swag/bling, etc. If it’s a bucket list race (hello NYCM) I will pony up with the rest of the sheep and take another mortgage out on the house to get in.
- Swag/Bling/Amenities. I love me some bling, I really do. I like it as a remembrance of the day. The race shirt does not matter to me. Unexpected extras (like a fleece hat or socks) are always a nice surprise but not necessary. But if the race is close by, at a desirable time of year with a reasonable price, I am there. The first three years I ran the March Madness Half there was no medal. The first 2 years I didn’t even get a shirt. Apres race food and entertainment is not a huge issue for me as I usually have little to no appetite after and do not stick around long. Ironically I find that the smaller, more reasonably priced races are the ones that often have the thoughtful extra swag.
How do your preferences rank? Would you pay more for exceptional bling? What race tops your bucket list?
Balega Socks giveaway is here if you missed it!
First thing I look at is SWAG, no going to sugarcoat it, actually, I look for the finisher medal, the cooler the better, then I look at price, location, etc
Just being honest
I don’t give a shit about swag or medals or t-shirts. I like racing in good racing weather and I prefer to be close to home. I find racing stressful and if I’m going to travel, I’d rather it just be for fun without the added stress of a race. I’m curious to see how others reply. I like this post.
I agree that the shopping around process can be fun. I haven’t officially registered for any yet, although I have several on my radar… I also prefer to mostly race close to home. I want to find another half in the next few months, and possible a fall full, depending how Sunday goes. Then I’ll fill it in with shorter races.
Distance from my house is always the first thing I look at, then the price and the date. If I can make those 3 things work for me then I’m generally in on the race!
By this time last year I had my entire year planned, this year only two! My strategy is much different. I need races within driving distance… I spent too much money on destination runs last year… time to trim the fat.
I think we are pretty much in agreement here. Race size/price is always a big one for me (I like smaller/cheaper). Weather is pretty huge to me unless it’s only a 5k/10k because I pretty much suck in heat. And going to races with friends is always a bonus and often the way I go, but I don’t mind solo efforts either.
You’ve covered it all, location and price are probably my two biggest factors. I like admiring other people’s bling but don’t really care about it for myself. 🙂
FRIENDS! I’ve gotten talked into lots of crazy races (Dirty Kanza, anyone?) because my friends were going. Price matters to me in running races, not as much in adventure races. Well, it always matters, but I’m much more likely to do an AR regardless of price than an expensive running race.
I’m only committed to three races this year: a 5k, a 200-mile bike race, and a 24-hour adventure race. 🙂 But right now the 5k is the only one with a goal attached.
If we’re being honest here, I think bling is overemphasized. I’m experienced enough that just finishing doesn’t feel like a huge deal anymore, so a finisher medal isn’t important. About half of the half marathons (and one 50K) I’ve done have been without a medal at all. I usually choose small races because I don’t like the hubbub of the big ones, they are most often cheaper too.
I also choose races based on location and date and how it fits with the rest of my schedule. If I’m going for a PR, I will also take a look at the course. I generally don’t travel for a race shorter than a marathon. Weather never was a big deal to me before, but after 2012 and both marathons having bad weather, I’m prioritizing it more.
I used to run races based on which ones my friends were running and then these became yearly events. Now that I am into marathoning, a lot of my runs are “trial runs” for the marathon itself. I usually only get to run two runs “for fun” before marathon season starts up again!
I look at cost first – race fee, travel cost ect. Then the schedule with other races I want to do/time I need to take off of work since I work so late on Friday nights. More bling/swag is always welcomed. I am planning my running year out now too and things may change from whatever I plan out now, but I have so many races on my bucket list.
I would say distance and date are my top 2. I don’t want to spend a bunch of money to travel to a race. SO far I am signed up for 3 races. A stair climb, a half mary, and a mud run (1st time). I have my eye on a couple others for sure:)
I do like some bling. Last year I paid for my medal at Cherry Blossom. If paying for the shirt is extra I don’t do it and love the option. Distance is huge in my decision. I really really look for a well organized race too. Can’t stand disorganization.
I would have ranked them the exact same way! I’m all about distance first, then location:) Right now, I have two half-marathons on the calendar, so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully, there will be some sweet bling to accompany my hopeful PR:)
Date, location (not necessarily distance, I’ll go about anywhere), price and none of the other stuff really matters to me. I just love to race!
Honestly, racing is pretty low on my list of priorities at the moment. The thing highest on my ‘wish list’ is to get to a place where running is a bit easier than it’s been. Then I’ll think about racing.
all the factors are important to me, obviously good bling is key for me 🙂 but really, good reviews from other runners are most important. i do fall into race peer pressure and love going where my friends are racing. i’ll pay more if the race is worth it, and if i can get a deal on something else- points for hotel, drivable race,etc. (i was pissed to pay $90 for austin this weekend but i’ve got a free place to stay-so it evens out). i guess each race is different for me. luckily-some of the best bling comes from smaller races 🙂
For me, it’s all about location and price. I’ll pay more for a race that I can drive to and stay with friends or family for. Ultimately, it’s hard for me to enjoy a race if I worry I’m breaking the bank! That said, I think I will start seeking out one destination race a year to make a mini vacation out of.
So many reasons for the races I do, it all sort of depends. If I want to race an A marathon in a certain time frame, I scour the interwebs for something that is mostly fast – yet fun and scenic. I like to use local smaller races to gear up for the A race. But, as you know, I also love a girls’ weekend race – there is nothing finer than getting the girls together to talk about racing non-stop! 🙂 Hope we get to do something this year together. Well, that’s a must-do for our 50th celebration! 🙂
xo
Great blog post! First and foremost, I choose by grade! That race better be flat, baby! Other than that, I go by date and crowd size.
Location. Location. Location. I have 3 races planned this spring and none of them is within 400 miles of here! (Carlsbad Half, Austin Half and NYC Half). Distance is important. I generally travel for 1/2s and up. I like big and small races. I don’t care about swag as I have enough race stuff to sink a battleship.That said races with cool extras like Chicago Women’s Half (yoga mat and cool shirt) and Lululemon Seawheeze (yoga mat, yoga classes, delish food, cool string bag and flip flops!) – and good give aways at expos are good, too!
(All of my medals including 35 marathons sit in a drawer – I don’t even keep some of them. Medals are last for me!)
I feel really behind for having not picked out every race for the year, I feel like everyone else has!! I just don’t do it that way. I usually look for places I want to travel 🙂
Location location location! That’s my biggest want. I like supporting local races because they’re cheaper and not huge. I’ve only got one race on my calendar so far. Just need to sit down and plan it all out now!
I haven’t ran a race but I’ve been looking and considering these things. What do you think is reasonable to pay for a 5K?
I don’t really race much but when I do definitely location i.e. close to home is important unless it’s a super special race and price are big factors for me. I don’t really care about swag or t-shirts or medals.
The price is a big deal for me because when I’m stacking my race calendar with mostly half marathons I’m not willing to pay an unreal amount of money for these and I’m certainly not going to pay it for another race unless there’s something about it that really excites me.