Race entry

2 watchers

SR6 Nov 2017 7:37pm, 25 Nov 2017 48 posts	0 SR6 Three years ago I used to race a couple of times a month. Very often I would just turn up and enter on the day. I tried to enter four races for Spring next year and entries are closed with none available on the day! Is this the new trend? I know certain races always sell out very quickly but has racing become more popular over the last three years?
Surrey Phil Nov 2017 8:01pm, 25 Nov 2017 2,135 posts	0 Surrey Phil Races usually say whether race day entries are available, subject to availability, or not. Always best to enter in advance to... 1. Get in 2. Avoid the increase in the fee for race day entry 3. Avoid a wasted journey The 10k I organise has seen an increase in race day entries. In 2015 (9), 2016 (14) and 2017 (25) people turned up on the morning to enter. As yet, we haven't turned anyone away but there's always a first time.
Dvorak Nov 2017 8:52pm, 25 Nov 2017 14,784 posts	0 Dvorak Very much I think, SR6 and since races are selling out people are diving in due to FOMO, which just worsens the problem. The problem for runners that is: I imagine there's a lot of happy RDs out there. I don't really want to enter any races months in advance in case circumstances change in whatever way and I can't do them. However I think there are quite a lot of people for whom the possibility of wasting money is far less of an issue than the possibility they might not get into a particular race.
SR6 Nov 2017 9:03pm, 25 Nov 2017 49 posts	0 SR6 Thanks guys it's certainly looking as though you have to plan well in advance and hope you make it to the race!
westmoors Nov 2017 3:21pm, 26 Nov 2017 2,158 posts	0 westmoors Although I often enter races months in advance, I always check their transfer policy so that if I can't make the start I can transfer my entry to a friend.
Autumnleaves Nov 2017 4:26pm, 26 Nov 2017 11,466 posts	0 Autumnleaves Social media doesn't help - a lot of races really push the early bird, don't miss out line - I agree, I'm not keen on entering races months in advance - especially 10ks and so on.
Surrey Phil Dec 2017 10:05am, 3 Dec 2017 2,151 posts	0 Surrey Phil If it's anything like ours, being a small event we don't want to overspend on medals, etc. if they're going to waste. Although the race licence isn't affected unless it exceeds its planned limit, things like knowing the number of runners' drinks and goody bags in advance does help. Who hasn't been at races where cups/drinks are being picked up off the floor and reused? Apart from these, there's also the administration. The early bird does ease this considerably especially where a small team is involved.