Runner Triathlete News [ return ] From Message Tri Man   10/11/2003 09:17:43 Subject: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: Well I'm sure I'll be labeled as a whinner by some, but I recently competed in a triathlon with 700+ entries. I was fortunate enough to place 1rst in my age group. I was a tad shocked when I received my award. It was a 4"x6" wood plaque with a small screen printed metal plate. I don't guess I really compete to show off awards but I was kinda thinking based on some other top 3 finishes from other races that I might get something with a little more size or at least appeal. I further realize that races are usually to raise funds for worth-while groups. But it seems a 1rst place finish with a $45 entry might provide a little more "robust" awards. It might end up being a good conversation piece in my new office if anyone can see it! Maybe I'm trying to relive my youth and have the same mindset or maybe some race directors should shop around to get a decent looking award for a reasonable price? Sman 10/11/2003 13:13:23 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: you are right, you are a whinner. jfj   10/11/2003 19:18:25 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: 45 bucks, huh? Did you get some water? How bout a little food after the race?, Were there Law Enforcement Officials there to provide safety so your enlarged gorge of a head could get around the course? Maybe some medics? I suppose you thought that was all free? And of course, the "worth while group" that is raising "funds". Man, I hope you remember your shocking award and not return next year. Better yet, don't remember your youth and just retire. Bob 10/12/2003 23:35:11 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: Is your eyesight so bad that you can't see a 4 by 6 plaque?? You are right .. you are a whiner! Larry Lancaster   10/13/2003 02:30:09 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: Tri Man, I don't think you are a whiner, maybe your not up to speed regarding what costs are involved in putting together a triathlon with 700+ participants. I've directed five events and participated in over 100 triathlons since 1983. My wife and I also have an event timing/results business. I've spent a few hours pondering how best to spend the money that I budgeted on awards and other things. I've also been handed what I felt were awards that bordered on the cheap side. Here is what I've found to be the typical places the entry fee money goes in order to pay for the event. 1. Event sanction fee to USA Triathlon (insurance for the event) 2. Permit fees to local government. 3. T-shirts for participants and volunteers (big $$$) 4. Awards for top three per age group up to 85 and over. (Required per USAT rules) 5. Law enforcement to direct traffic on run and bike course. ( This can be $$$ in urban areas ) 6. Food and drink (before and after race) 7. Fees for advertising the event. Don't forget postage, and printing cost for event flyers. 8. Fees charged by event timing/results companies. (Chip timing is $$$) 9. Race packet goodies (race numbers, energy bars, etc...) 10. Medical personnel. 11. Any and everything I forgot to list. If you are lucky, you might have something to donate to your "worthy cause" after everything is paid for. If you get some sponsors you can spend a bit more here and there. The bottom line is that there are a lot of hidden costs in staging an event that most triathletes/duathletes dont' think about because all they do is pay their entry fee and do the race. I did just that for years but having gotten to know the production side of multi-sport events has given me a greater appreciation of people like Jack Weiss, Dave Rainey, Jon Hill, Barry Lanningham, and others who make it possible for all of us to race. I have been lucky in that most of my events made money for the charity but I can assure you that no one walked away with a pocket full of money. The nice thing about awards is that they don't have to be big or gaudy (I've gotten a few that I thought were over the top) to mean something. Most people can look at a $2 medal they got ten years ago and recall the event like it was yesterday. That's the important part. Good luck and I hope this encourages you to volunteer to work at a multi-sport event at least once next season. tgarr 10/13/2003 05:46:13 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: There are two types of benifactors at any event the primary and secondary. In a walkathon the primary is the charity, the secondary is the walkers/runners. In this event the sole focus is on money first, perks second. This is why most of these events often don't time or give any specific awards. When you collect funds and enter you know your not getting anything in return. In a race the chairity is the secondary benafactor. You give a portion of the proceeds to the chairity but the focus is on the competition first. To offer a competition and then use "well its for chairity" as an attack on a person when they ask about the trophies is mixing the two types of fund raisers and does nothing to adress his issue. With repect to your arguments: Your numbers 6,8,9 could all be donated by your sponsors as they are in most cases, remember in your words its for chairity so these groups should be more able to donate for chairity than an individual. Number 7 is the cost the race inccurs in an effort to make more money and is not tri-mans fault. Number four is in doubt because tri-man doesn't think you had to put out that much for the 4 by award that he got. T-shirts for volunteers?, remember as many who have posted have said it's for chairity. 1,2,5,10 you are correct on there is no way to get around those. Your staement "If you are lucky you might have something to donate to a "worthy cause" goes back to what I said first, in a race the foucus is on taking care of the athletes first, then the chairity. It is nice if you can do both but you don't short change the first just for the second just as you would not short change the chairity in walkathon just to benifit the runner. I don't think I've been to a race lately where I left thinking I got hosed on the trophy, but I also get tired of race diretors whining about, or being overly agressive, on these issues rather than simply adressing his question and moving on. All races have the same economic factors you speak of and yet many are still able to produce awards that people are happy with and keep the cost in-line. Sman 10/13/2003 09:42:02 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: Tgarr, Please let me know where and when is that you're putting on a race. Given that you're such a whiz when it comes to financing an event and that you are ever so giving to the athletes I imagine it will be a luxurious event. I look forward to drinking champagne off the finisher's cristal you will be handing out... tgarr 10/13/2003 11:41:20 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: Sman that would only be for award winners and would mean you wouldn't get any. Sman 10/13/2003 14:45:09 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: That's right, you'd age grade the race and cheat a bunch of people off their trophies... Larry Lancaster   10/13/2003 14:50:31 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: To All Concerned, I think I've lost interest in any further discussion. It seems as though we have lost sight of the original topic and the conversation is deteriorating rapidly. B Schmidt   10/14/2003 12:29:08 RE: Cheap Awards? IP: Logged Message: For anyone interested Roger Soler puts on many Triathlons during the year in San Antonio and the surrounding area. The major Triathlon Event is held at Seaworld in San Antonio. Last year the Trophies were custom made Blue Dolphins on a stand, for all 3 places in each age group. My daughter won 3rd place in her age group and her trophy is awesome. The awards were voted best in Region. This year the Trophies were custom made Peruvian Gourds that had a removable lid and Hand painted designs and lettering detailing the event. No doubt they will be voted best in Region again. All age groups received them including relay teams down to the third place. We came in 2nd place in the Family Relay and each one of us received one of the Gourds. Try a Roger Soler event, well organized, great food, and great people. P 1 Next Page>>