Extra charge for Race Day Packet Pickup?! Absurd.
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jnrice posted 1 year ago.
That is kind of low. I figur that the long line you have to wait in is payment enough.
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Joe_H posted 1 year ago.
but if everyone did it it may cause big delays (long lines to get pick up and fix last minute problems) on the morning of a half ironman pushing the slower finishers further into the afternoon and possible heat. also it's a probably a good money maker.
if it makes you feel any better the philly distance run was charging $25 or 35? for race day pick up
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
I think it is reasonable -- it is more work for the race organizers, and can lead to lots of last minute issues. If the hour drive makes you want it, I don't think $10 is that bad. However, if they didn't tell you up front at signup that would be a different issue!
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TriSooner posted 1 year ago.
Scam. No race-day registration or no race-day packet pick-up is understandable. Logistics reasons, I suppose. But charging extra to pick up on race-day is a joke. Good way to make sure your race only gets local participants. Brilliant!
This is what happens when a fringe sport becomes mainstream. Demand outpaces supply and RDs can pretty much do what they want to. There is an RD in Dallas whose races I won't do because he has so many BS policies. For instance, you have to get your bike and helmet inspected at the LBS that sponsored the race. Conflict of interest? "Oh, yeah, I see you are signed up for Race X this weekend. Your headtube is cracked. You need a new frame right now!"
If you are willing to do the race and jump through their little hoops, they'll keep adding BS policies like this.
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jwillia852 posted 1 year ago.
It is garbage. If the packet is required to race, it shouldn't matter when you pick it up.
Driving behavior is about incentive not punishment. If you want to encourage night before pickup, offer a prize (t-shirt). And I understand that it costs something... so build the cost into the registration fee.
Jeff
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CadenceGuy posted 1 year ago.
I could see were it would create hassle without doubt. If it was something that he was worried about maybe make registration only open for an hour on race morning. Of course a lot can happen with race day sign up but registration in my opinion is just a matter of, "Hey can i get my bag with the t-shirt in it and my chip and strap." all that should be ready to go anyways as far as Im concerned. I do agree that a fee like that will distract out of town racers thus keeping it a limited competition event. At least they told you before you got there...
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
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Joe_H posted 1 year ago.
TriSooner wrote:
I'd rather drive 2+ hrs and pay $10 than have to pay for a room overnight and probably dinner as well
Scam. No race-day registration or no race-day packet pick-up is understandable. Logistics reasons, I suppose. But charging extra to pick up on race-day is a joke. Good way to make sure your race only gets local participants.Brilliant!
what I'm up to:
http://www.athletefocus.com/forum/sport/triathlon
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brittda posted 1 year ago.
beads1985 wrote:
It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
Exactly--and really you are only an hour drive, I would just suck it up and go the day before anyway because I like to have all that crap taken care of before I have to worry about racing.
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
brittda wrote:
beads1985 wrote:It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
Exactly--and really you are only an hour drive, I would just suck it up and go the day before anyway because I like to have all that crap taken care of before I have to worry about racing.
Same here.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
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TriSooner posted 1 year ago.
beads1985 wrote:
If they are charging an entrance fee it isn't totally "their" event: it is (to a large extent) yours because said admission entitles you to certain conditions such as picking up a packet that you paid for and not being charged extra because you pick it up on race day. If RDs don't want race-day registration or packet pick-up, eliminate it all together. The pay extra is BS.
It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
The whole "charging to discourage" is a bad precedent. There are other things they probably want to eliminate too. Why not eliminate porta potties and parking and just charge extra for that too. Providing such accomodations is inconvenient and expensive, so just charge for that too.
On a side note, I looked into this race: It is run by a for-profit race management company. Does that make a difference? Charging $10 to pick up a packet you already paid for is a revenue generating stream.
Don't know how I got sucked into this. RD's just piss me off. Tris are no longer sports they are marketing opportunities and money-making machines. I'll just go run in the mountains with the hippies.
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brittda posted 1 year ago.
TriSooner wrote:
beads1985 wrote:If they are charging an entrance fee it isn't totally "their" event: it is (to a large extent) yours because said admission entitles you to certain conditions such as picking up a packet that you paid for and not being charged extra because you pick it up on race day. If RDs don't want race-day registration or packet pick-up, eliminate it all together. The pay extra is BS.It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
The whole "charging to discourage" is a bad precedent. There are other things they probably want to eliminate too. Why not eliminate porta potties and parking and just charge extra for that too. Providing such accomodations is inconvenient and expensive, so just charge for that too.
On a side note, I looked into this race: It is run by a for-profit race management company. Does that make a difference? Charging $10 to pick up a packet you already paid for is a revenue generating stream.
Don't know how I got sucked into this. RD's just piss me off. Tris are no longer sports they are marketing opportunities and money-making machines. I'll just go run in the mountains with the hippies.
But...on the flip side
1. why get bent out of shape over $10
2. it probably means extra volunteers and maybe even renting extra space(tables etc) to hand them out. Volunteers that could be helping with the race, so to discourage it and thus need less people they charge the people who will be incurring the extra charge. Kinda like a gas tax, those with a gas guzzler pay more in the end. You know about it signing up. Either pay it or don't . Its not like they hid it --its part of what you need to pay for to do the race.
3. I had to pay a 10$ fee to take a shuttle to the start of a HIM this summer, where the year before it was free for participants--should they have just included it in the cost of the race? Probably , but then those people who got a ride from family and friends would have had to pay it too...
4. Life is too short to get upset about how races are run. Enjoy them for what they are no one is forcing you (or anyone) to sign up for any particular race or any at all.
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
TriSooner wrote:
beads1985 wrote:If they are charging an entrance fee it isn't totally "their" event: it is (to a large extent) yours because said admission entitles you to certain conditions such as picking up a packet that you paid for and not being charged extra because you pick it up on race day. If RDs don't want race-day registration or packet pick-up, eliminate it all together. The pay extra is BS.It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
[b]'Caveat emptor' - let the buyer beware[b]
If someone organizes an event it is ''their'' event. If you pay a fee to do this you are a participant. As a participant you have to go by the rules they set up or you don't do the event. If they included the 'race day packet pick up charge' before you signed up then that is what you paid for. If they implemented this after then complain to the RD or withdraw from the race.
TriSooner wrote:
The whole "charging to discourage" is a bad precedent. There are other things they probably want to eliminate too. Why not eliminate porta potties and parking and just charge extra for that too. Providing such accomodations is inconvenient and expensive, so just charge for that too.On a side note, I looked into this race: It is run by a for-profit race management company. Does that make a difference? Charging $10 to pick up a packet you already paid for is a revenue generating stream.
Don't know how I got sucked into this. RD's just piss me off. Tris are no longer sports they are marketing opportunities and money-making machines.
Maybe the RD's are making money, not many of them do unless they work for a big event.
Triathlon is a sport, the events are making money for someone.
Read before you sign the dotted line and pay your $$
If you don't like it do a different event, do a Fat A$$, don't do the event and SBR on your own, or be an RD and organize the race of your dreams.
If you want it different, make a difference.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
'Caveat emptor' - let the buyer beware
beads1985 wrote:
TriSooner wrote:beads1985 wrote:If they are charging an entrance fee it isn't totally "their" event: it is (to a large extent) yours because said admission entitles you to certain conditions such as picking up a packet that you paid for and not being charged extra because you pick it up on race day. If RDs don't want race-day registration or packet pick-up, eliminate it all together. The pay extra is BS.It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
If someone organizes an event it is ''their'' event. If you pay a fee to do this you are a participant. As a participant you have to go by the rules they set up or you don't do the event. If they included the 'race day packet pick up charge' before you signed up then that is what you paid for. If they implemented this after then complain to the RD or withdraw from the race.
TriSooner wrote:The whole "charging to discourage" is a bad precedent. There are other things they probably want to eliminate too. Why not eliminate porta potties and parking and just charge extra for that too. Providing such accomodations is inconvenient and expensive, so just charge for that too.On a side note, I looked into this race: It is run by a for-profit race management company. Does that make a difference? Charging $10 to pick up a packet you already paid for is a revenue generating stream.
Don't know how I got sucked into this. RD's just piss me off. Tris are no longer sports they are marketing opportunities and money-making machines.
Maybe the RD's are making money, not many of them do unless they work for a big event.
Triathlon is a sport, the events are making money for someone.
Read before you sign the dotted line and pay your $$If you don't like it do a different event, do a Fat A$$, don't do the event and SBR on your own, or be an RD and organize the race of your dreams.
If you want it different, make a difference.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
'Caveat emptor' - let the buyer beware
beads1985 wrote:
TriSooner wrote:beads1985 wrote:If they are charging an entrance fee it isn't totally "their" event: it is (to a large extent) yours because said admission entitles you to certain conditions such as picking up a packet that you paid for and not being charged extra because you pick it up on race day. If RDs don't want race-day registration or packet pick-up, eliminate it all together. The pay extra is BS.It is what it is, and it is their event.
They probably want to discourage race day packet pick up but not eliminate it so they charge a fee.
beads1985 wrote:If someone organizes an event it is ''their'' event. If you pay a fee to do this you are a participant. As a participant you have to go by the rules they set up or you don't do the event. If they included the 'race day packet pick up charge' before you signed up then that is what you paid for. If they implemented this after then complain to the RD or withdraw from the race.TriSooner wrote:The whole "charging to discourage" is a bad precedent. There are other things they probably want to eliminate too. Why not eliminate porta potties and parking and just charge extra for that too. Providing such accomodations is inconvenient and expensive, so just charge for that too.On a side note, I looked into this race: It is run by a for-profit race management company. Does that make a difference? Charging $10 to pick up a packet you already paid for is a revenue generating stream.
Don't know how I got sucked into this. RD's just piss me off. Tris are no longer sports they are marketing opportunities and money-making machines.
Maybe the RD's are making money, not many of them do unless they work for a big event.
Triathlon is a sport, the events are making money for someone.
Read before you sign the dotted line and pay your $$If you don't like it do a different event, do a Fat A$$, don't do the event and SBR on your own, or be an RD and organize the race of your dreams.
If you want it different, make a difference.
'Nothing to it, but to do it!'
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
Sorry, Thought I hit the preview button. ;-)
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brittda posted 1 year ago.
beads1985 wrote:
Sorry, Thought I hit the preview button. ;-)
aahahhahhhah
you are just too "passionate" about your work! :)
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
Multi tasking at work an all, so unfortunately trifuel doesn't get all my attention.
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Anton posted 1 year ago.
It's $10! What's that ... like, two mocha-frappo-latte's? 6 or 7 gels? Please.
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brittda posted 1 year ago.
Anton wrote:
It's $10! What's that ... like, two mocha-frappo-latte's? 6 or 7 gels? Please.
Well thats what I had originally wrote, did not want to irk everyone--ahahahha
2 freaking lattes whats that?
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textri posted 1 year ago.
The race is staffed by volunteers. It is just one more thing to worry about on race day morning. Even being able to register on race day is a nice service. $10 is nothing. Get over it. At least they offered it.
Finishing the race is the only thing that validates the cause.
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stewarba posted 1 year ago.
Woa, I didn't realize there were so many high brows that hang out on Trifuel. Sorry people, 10 bucks is 10 bucks. Just because it is no big deal to you doesn't mean its not a deal breaker for someone else. I tell you what, if $10 isn't a big deal to you, send it to gogate2006 for his packet pickup fee.
If they let you know upfront there was a fee and you new you were going to pickup the packet on race day, then ultimately you know its part of the fee to race.
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brittda posted 1 year ago.
But it is an OPTION. No one is forcing it to be paid. You have the day before to pick the packet up at no cost. If they said no day of race pick up would it be any better?
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jwillia852 posted 1 year ago.
I heard next year that you will be required to carry prepaid tokens for the gatorade stations! :-) jk
Maybe the RD used to work for the airlines?
Jeff
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
stewarba wrote:
If they let you know upfront there was a fee and you new you were going to pickup the packet on race day, then ultimately you know its part of the fee to race.
But I think that is what happened...
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azstinger11 posted 1 year ago.
kylie wrote:
stewarba wrote:If they let you know upfront there was a fee and you new you were going to pickup the packet on race day, then ultimately you know its part of the fee to race.But I think that is what happened...
go 'gate 2006 wrote:
I recently signed up for the Black Bear Triathlon at Beltzville State Park. When I went to register, there was a $10 "Race Day Packet Pickup" fee. WTF?! Since I live only an hour away, it makes absolutely no sense for me to make lodging arrangements and go a day early just so I can pick up my packet. It's not a huge M dot event, is it really that hard to offer a packet pickup that morning?
It seems to me the OP found this out at registration, as in not on day of pick up as he was talking about driving and lodging in the future.
So it would seem they make it known at time of registration at which point I call it legit. Just think of it this way, for $10 you are paying for the bagels and OJ/coffee for all the super nice volunteers (at least usually) to be there even earlier than they needed to be to help you race.
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
Huh yeah I'm not sure which way it is now. I thought he found out earlier, in which case you deal. If it was a surprise, that's never good. Unless it was more of an emergency option... where it was only allowed if you really needed it.
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Anton posted 1 year ago.
Agreed. Blindsided by the fee...not good.
But, if the info was posted in the race information and was not read beforehand...well...
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go 'gate 2006 posted 1 year ago.
The packet fee was listed at sign up when filling out the usual info like name, age, etc. I was listed there, but not until you got to the registration screen. This race is May 09. I didn't mean to imply that this was some last minute charge tacked on at the end.
Yes, it is an option, but not really. When the choice is between a) going the night before and paying for lodging b) driving an hour there, and an hour home saturday, then driving the same drive on sunday for the race or c) pay $10, which would most people chose?
My original gripe was the fact that they are charging for something that should be free, especially for a race that isn't huge and attracts a lot of local athletes. For the record, I'm paying it, because like people said, it's $10, but it's the principle.
- AT
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tholosophy posted 1 year ago.
Events are often times near a park. They should negotiate with the city to open the park for camping overnight for out of towners...that is if you can get a good sleep in a tent.
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gfd posted 1 year ago.
I live 45 minutes from the lake. I make the drive rather than pay the $10. There is enough going through my head on race morning and I enjoy the 2 hours to think about the next day. It is a good idea to offer an incentive to pick it up the day before as the goody bags are lame.
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cayman posted 1 year ago.
With 800 entrants, logistically not a small race, I can't think of many races that size or even smaller that still offer race day pick-up. This year had no race morning pick-up, although I did see quite a few people picking up race morning, people who probably emailed the RD for special consideration, could be part of the reason for charging in '09.
Even only 200 people picking up race morning, in a period of 45 minutes, can be a stress on the volunteers and RD to keep things on schedule-- how many people would show up at 6:45, with T1 closed, looking to pick up their packages? It happens, and race starts end up being delayed. I think it's great the RD is offering this service and if he values it at $10, so be it, it is an option. I picked-up the day before this year, 1 1/4 hr drive each way, took my bike, got in a ride and previewed the run course, time well spent.
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
Is somebody else you know doing the race?
-If they are there the night before maybe they will split the room with you.
-If they are and you can't maybe they can pick up the packet for you.
Get a sleeping bag, drive the day before and pick up your packet, and sleep in the car.
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stewarba posted 1 year ago.
beads1985 wrote:
-If they are and you can't maybe they can pick up the packet for you.
quote]For my race on Saturday I was told (via email) that because it was a USAT race that you must provide a picture ID at packet pickup. No ID, No Race!!
Does that sound right? Has there become that big of a problem of amatuers hijacking race registrations?
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kylie posted 1 year ago.
It is always the case at USAT races now. Not because of them being taken by others, but because of the strict regulations on bib transfers and racing as someone you aren't (since they provide the insurance).
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sbrstlouis posted 1 year ago.
The concept of charging extra for race day packet pickup is ludicrous. If I had to pay $10 or more, then I'd instruct them to spend the money on postage and mail my packet to me.
Matt Cazalas - Technical Writer
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lredrow posted 1 year ago.
Well...the $10 race day pick up was designed to be a GOOD thing for athletes.
The race closed out at 1,100 athletes last year between the half and sprint so it's not a small amount of people and to have an unlimited number of people pick up on race day would be a logistical nightmare... one that could create problems on other aspects of the race if we had to utilize staff who otherwise handle various course details on race morning so we are HIRING additional staff to handle race morning pick up.
One thing to remember is you don't HAVE to pay for packet pick up....only if you choose to pick up the morning of. It didn't seem fair to add the cost of this into every athlete's race fee when only about 20% (on the high side) will opt for it. We've tried other things in the past such as remote pick up and it just didn't work (for too many reasons to get into right now). Our race schedule clearly posts that packet pick up is Saturday but you may make opt for race day pick up (and that there is a fee) if need be.
By far, the most frequent reason given for Saturday pick up is the cost incurred (gas, food, hotel, taking off from work, etc...). With that in mind we set the price at $10 to allow those the option to avoid the expense and hassle of driving to the race twice.
We don't do this to punish anyone and it's not a stream of revenue. We just looked at the factors given above and the fact that people are BUSY and tried to come up with something that is a BETTER option than we had in previous years. Hopefully it'll wind up being a convenience and cost saver as that's what it was created to be.
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lredrow posted 1 year ago.
sbrstlouis wrote:
The concept of charging extra for race day packet pickup is ludicrous. If I had to pay $10 or more, then I'd instruct them to spend the money on postage and mail my packet to me.Matt Cazalas - Technical Writer
Matt,
I would LOVE if this was an option but it's NOT. Neither is having someone else pick up for you. I WISH it was but USAT does not allow it and to do so would jeopardize (nullify) your sanctioning through which the race is insured.
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Socket posted 1 year ago.
Yeah, mailing the packet kinda runs counter to the whole "no ID, no packet" policy.
Fortunately most events I've done weren't so far away I couldn't just hop on over and pick up the day/week/whatever beforehand, and the others I stayed overnight nearby anyway.
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beads1985 posted 1 year ago.
Well, no matter what happens I have to say it was great that lredrow posted here to give us the info from the race organizers POV and address the issue. Even if you disagree with the policy, there are now more answers.
Thanks lredrow!!
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jperubog posted 1 year ago.
Having only been doing triathlons for a couple years, I have looked at enough registrations, and usually assume the more organized races have a mandatory pre-day race packet pick up. If I assumed wrong than sorry, but as a triathlete I usually plan for this before I sign up.
The fact that they even offer a race day pick up is great, and If they have to charge you for it, think of it this way: they are already planning to spend a whole day prior to accomodate the other 700-800 athletes, who have made the trip. Is it really an inconvenience for you to drive an hour to get your packet? Take the time to view the course and get in a quick ride like someone else said. If not, then in the end the $10 will probably end up saving you money.
On a side note I have raced a couple of the CGI races and each one was top notch, so I am glad that the rd at least had a chance to defend their position.
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cayman posted 1 year ago.
Thanks for the post Larry and thanks for putting on such a top notch race. Actually, I'd like to see this flexibility in some other area races, great idea. See you out there again in '09.
Oh yeah, one other thing, do you think you could find a few flat stretches on the bike next year? ;)
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lredrow posted 1 year ago.
cayman wrote:
Oh yeah, one other thing, do you think you could find a few flat stretches on the bike next year? ;)
Sorry Cayman...The hills are what MAKE it Black Bear!
I recently signed up for the Black Bear Triathlon at Beltzville State Park. When I went to register, there was a $10 "Race Day Packet Pickup" fee. WTF?! Since I live only an hour away, it makes absolutely no sense for me to make lodging arrangements and go a day early just so I can pick up my packet. It's not a huge M dot event, is it really that hard to offer a packet pickup that morning?
- AT