Forum
The Real Cost of Running!!
Many of you will no doubt be aware of the debate on a number of Forums about the increasing cost of entry fees for races.
A lot of the older runners often refer to the halcyon days when a Half Marathon was just a couple of quid to enter, the winters were the worst ever and Green Flash were the best trainers ever.
Unfortunately those days have gone to be replaced by a very sanitised and focussed approach to delivering events that removes any kind of 'risk' to the runner. The evolution of the Event Document and Traffic Management Plan now takes up a significant amount of my time when planning races and the equivalent costs for producing same are a growing concern.
By way of example, the six events staged by 'runliverpool' that required the use of public highways attracted costs of £133,631.27 for just 4 elements. This money was for the provision of an official road closure order (SETTRO) provided by Liverpool City Council Highways Department, Merseyside Policing costs, Traffic Management and Stewarding. This cost does not take into account ANY other aspect of event delivery such as toilets, crowd barriers, medals, Goody Bags, shirts, timing and so on.
The full breakdown for these key costs are as follows...
Half Marathon
SETTRO £2,116.18 Policing £7,247.96 Traffic Management £31,137.50 Stewarding £8,059.33
Women’s 10K
SETTRO £2,116.18 Policing £3,308.39 Traffic Management £7,797.30 Stewarding £2,208.41
Tunnel 10K
SETTRO £2,116.18 Policing £1,302.49 Traffic Management £12,161.25 Stewarding £1,159.73
5K Team Challenge
SETTRO £2,116.18 Policing £1,488.96 Traffic Management £5,687.00 Stewarding £1,818.90
Asics 10K
SETTRO £2,116.18 Policing £4,584.48 Traffic Management £5,522.00 Stewarding £2,256.00
Santa Dash
SETTRO £2,116.18 Policing £8,506.39 Traffic Management £11,316.00 Stewarding £5,372.10
I have already been advised by Liverpool City Council Highways Department that their charges for 2009 events for providing the official order will be increasing by more than 50% to over £3,000 for nothing more than is being provided at the moment.
Merseyside Police have imposed Full Cost Recovery charges for a number of years now and 'volunteer' stewarding is no longer permitted within these events as Stewards have to have SIA accreditation.
Traffic Management charges are relative to the amount of roads used and have to be provided by a professional Traffic management company. It is no longer possible to deliver an event on the public highway without their involvement.
When you take into account the additional costs for all other aspects of the race which include logistical delivery - entry administration, postage, race instructions, electronic timing, set up on the day and all relative requirements as well as matching runner expectancy from the event (t shirt, medal, Goody Bag), results service, prizes and so on it is clear the cost implications are considerable.
The 'runliverpool' initiative was not set up to make money. It was set up to enhance and improve the race events in Liverpool. Since 2005 the entry fees for all races have been kept to a minimum in the expectancy that numbers would increase each year and that costs could be covered by increased entry fee revenue. Now whilst the numbers have generally increased modestly year on year over the first three years, the revenue generated has not kept pace with enforced expenditure.
Nevertheless, whilst the entry fees have had to increase this year out of necessity, it is hoped that the continued growth of the race events will mean any future increases can be kept to an absolute minimum.
To those runners who continue to support the events by taking part I would say thank you. Your support is very much appreciated by those that help deliver the races for you.
To those who choose not to take part because you believe the entry fee to be 'too expensive' I would say you are only worsening the situation because the event needs your support more than anything. The real cost of running these events is now just like most things in life, subject to ever increasing costs!
Alan Rothwell
'runliverpool' initiative
|
|
