Final Thoughts On Rising Registration Fees
It’s taken me a while to decide on what to say about this matter. As with anything concerning matters of passion and pocket, it’s difficult to separate emotion from fact.
Let me be clear on one thing, though. This is not a matter of warring PERSONALITIES (Kikay Runner vs. Coach Rio), as some may have painted it to be. I consider Rio a friend and I respect his accomplishments and what he has done for the running scene. Rather, this is a matter of clashing PRINCIPLES which needed to be addressed (keeping cost of entry into running low vs. offering bigger, better innovations).
I’m very thankful that Rio used the Run United blog conference to hold a dialogue with interested parties and address questions about how RunRio operates. He didn’t have to pay attention to me or what I say on this blog, but he analyzes all blog entries about his races, sees people’s comments on Facebook, and reads every private message to him even if he can’t reply to each one.
Races aren’t basic commodities and race organizers don’t have to show us their budgets and costing, but Rio offered to show it if I signed a nondisclosure agreement and agreed to organize a race on the same magnitude. However, that was not my intent. I have no desire to be a race organizer. I’m simply a runner, who has a blog, who is asking a question: “Why?”
I asked because I believe that running should be for everyone. When I heard of people stopping running and racing because the cost was getting to be prohibitively high for them, I sympathized with them. When I talked about races, people asked me why reg fees have become so high, and I didn’t have a definite answer to the question.
Rio said that last year’s registration prices had not been enough to cover his costs per runner. RunRio’s logistical expenses are: hydration, manpower, security, safety, venue and route, marketing and promotions, to name a few. I had no reason to doubt what he said, and thus no reason to probe the company’s expenses.
When Rio explained that he wanted to make races that would be excellent and internationally reknowned and competitive, I realized that the main target market of RunRio races are those people who can afford to go overseas and attend races there. They are those people who expect a certain quality at the races and can pay for it.
At the end of the day, RunRio is a business which has overhead costs and employees, and I respect that.
I think other race organizers have their own reasons behind why they organize races, and it reflects in how they price the cost of entry. It’s up to runners to decide what they are running for, and what they are willing to pay for.
I just spoke up because I thought it was the right thing to do. Not every Juan dela Cruz has a blog, right?
Kikay Runner with Coach Rio in 2009
For context:
- February 2011: On Rising Registration Fees
- January 2012: On Rising Registration Fees, Again
On Rising Registration Fees, Again
It’s been almost a year since I wrote my blog post On Rising Registration Fees. I wrote that post trying to explain the possible reasons why races had raised their prices, and some steps on the runners’ part to minimize the impact of those costs.
Here we are again, facing another fee increase for a certain set of races by one organizer, which may spur another round of fee increases from other organizers. I’m not writing this post to criticize, but to explain why I, as a blogger, a runner, and a citizen of the Philippines, feel the need to address the issue of rising registration fees. And yes, it certainly is an issue if all I hear from runners I encounter on the road is, “Hindi na ako sumasali ng races kasi ang mahal!”
You may say that there’s no need to complain, and all you have to do is simply not register for the expensive races. I have to say right now, I do not agree with this “put up or shut up” mentality. This is hard-earned money we’re talking about spending here, and I think that in a free society there is room for serious yet civil discussion about the cost and quality of goods and services we pay for.
In case you aren’t aware, we do have consumer rights and responsibilities in the Philippines. We have a Bureau of Trade Regulations and Consumer Protection under the Department of Trade and Industry, which operates to protect consumer rights and promote awareness of consumer responsibilities. Check out this PDF pamphlet of your Consumer Rights and Responsibilities published by the DTI.
The pertinent responsibilities of a consumer on which I base my stand are (paraphrasing from the abovementioned pamphlet):
- Critical Awareness: to be more alert and questioning about the use of, and the price and quality of goods and services we use.
- Action: to assert ourselves and act to ensure we get a fair deal. The pamphlet goes on to say in much stronger words, “Remember that as long as we remain passive consumers, we will continue to be exploited.”
- Social Concern: to be aware of the impact of our consumption on other citizens, especially the poor, exploited, disadvantaged, or powerless groups.
As you can see from these responsibilities, I cannot simply sit back and accept the price increase in registration fees; I must ask for the reason behind this. I believe I should speak up, as one of the courses of action to ensure we’re getting a fair deal. I do this because continuing to tolerate rising prices without justification means that the poor or disadvantaged people who want to join a race may eventually (it is happening even now) be priced out of doing so.
I am looking forward to Coach Rio’s promised discussion of the registration fees at the upcoming Run United press conference. (He promised that last year, too, but it didn’t materialize.) I have him on record inviting interested runners and bloggers including myself to send him a personal message for inclusion on the press conference’s guest list.
Meanwhile, I encourage you, dear reader, to continue seeking the best value for your money in the races that you train for and join. There are a number of conscientious race organizers who offer races at affordable prices with part of the registration fee going to charitable causes. Seek them out and give them a chance; they may pleasantly surprise you.
Powerade ION4 Finally Comes to the Philippines
I use most sports drinks interchangeably since I think they’re the same under all the advertising hype and flavoring. Whatever brand you are, if you replenish my electrolytes and don’t give me a tummy ache, I’m good to go.
Of course that doesn’t mean sports drinks really are just the same regardless of brand, and each brand tries to improve their taste, sugar content (for those conscious about their liquid calories), and electrolyte delivery systems.
Powerade ION4 was first introduced in 2009 in the U.S. market as a reformulation of the old Powerade formula. It boasts four electrolytes instead of the usual two kinds of electrolyte found in sports drinks. Aside from sodium and potassium, ION4 has calcium and magnesium in the same ratio as that lost from sweating.
Powerade ION4
Now, this more complete formulation has finally come to the Philippines and is endorsed by the likes of fitness coach Chinggay Andrada (lately of Biggest Loser fame), international footballer Neil Etheridge (also of the Philippine Azkals), basketball player David Semerad, and running’s own Rio de la Cruz.
I missed the grand press launch today due to work commitments, but after reading the PR material sent to me I’m intrigued about this new formula. When it gets rolled out to stores, you can bet I’ll try it out during a long training run or ride — and I’ll let you know how it compares to the others I usually gulp down.
“I Run Like a Girl” Shirts Now Available
In popular culture we’ve probably run across this phrase more than once: “YOU RUN LIKE A GIRL.” It’s a negative use of the word “girl” that connotes slowness, daintiness, and a funny gait. But we know better; we know that girls and women can be great runners. Regardless of speed and distance, every girl who runs is a strong, powerful individual who can make things happen.
Just like the Spice Girls who inspired a whole generation with “Girl Power”, it’s time to reclaim running like a girl and make it ours!
Be proud to run like a girl and wear it on your sleeve — or in this case, on your shirt. Introducing “I RUN LIKE A GIRL” shirts from the Kikay Runner shop on Multiply:
I RUN LIKE A GIRL shirt
Made of 100% cotton, this shirt is perfect for wearing after a race or a workout. Available in sizes SMALL, MEDIUM, or LARGE at P250 in limited quantities. Multiply also has a free shipping promo until January 31, 2012 (for a P400 shopping cart total), so order now. :D
It’s a Runner’s World Out There
Today exactly two years ago, KikayRunner.com was born. (How cool is it that my blog’s anniversary is 01/21/2012?) In the same year, Runner’s World Philippines started out as a quarterly supplement to Men’s Health and Women’s Health. Look where we are now: RW is now a stand-alone quarterly magazine, and KikayRunner.com is featured in its January-March 2012 issue!
What an honor to be on the inside pages of the issue featuring my tri-idol, Noy Jopson!
I met RW’s editor-in-chief Marie Calica at a Godiva pictorial in 2010. She was my makeup artist! The multitalented Marie is also beauty editor for Women’s Health and an instructor at Barre3 (a ballet, yoga, and Pilates fusion workout at The Spa). She’s a woman I look up to, so I think it’s very fitting she’s our featured anniversary interview.
I stole this photo off her Facebook wall.
