British sprints and middle

[RS]

Just about to enter these - IMO a bit steep at £15 then £18 a day

[andy]

moan moan, cost cost. It's still a cheap day out compared to most other activities that cost anything.

on a less cost related note, can someone tell me if it is possible to get to the middle race via public transport? If not are the organisers considering putting on a bus from york? Seems a waste to drive down when there's an excellent train service to York from Edinburgh and the sprints are handy...

[Paul Frost]

So what bits do you suggest they save money on to keep the cost down?
Slit trenches instead of Portaloos?
B/W maps instead of expensive colour ones?
Don't bother updating maps, as nothing really changes over time?
Pin punches instead of that expensive electronic kit?
Armchair planning to save all those site visit fuel costs?
Ban cars so farmers don't need to be paid for use of fields for parking?
etc.etc.

It has been said so many times before, but find a road race of any significance that doesn't cost more than £15 to enter. Part of the problem is that many clubs don't charge enough for their local events, so the jump in fees for a larger event seem unreasonable.

I'm always amazed when I see adult entry fees of £1 or £2, the map printing cost is most of that, without any expenses for the planner/organiser, depreciation of the kit used, advertising, website, officials training, etc.
There is something to be said for the view that you "get what you pay for", and so cheap fees could make people think "it can't be much good if that's all it costs".

[Jayne]

The middle race is at Strensall Common and there's a bus to Strensall Village - so I would think it's feasible on public transport.

[SeanC]

The middle distance area doesn't look very far out of York. Sharing a taxi with 1 or 2 others might cost the same as the bus.

This weekend seems to have some potential as a "leave your car at home" weekend with the good train links to York, which would of course be great for those without a car. Hopefully the event website might recommend some accommodation in York and suggest a pub with food for orienteers to mingle on Saturday night?

[Arnold]

I asked the organiser about public transport on the Sunday as I agree it looks like a great opportunity to leave the car at home.

He said there's no sensible bus service (nearest one a mile away down narrow country lanes) and suggested sharing taxis which he thought would cost abour £16 one way

Or I was thinking hiring a car just for the day but it's likely to be more than £32..

[RS]

Was comparing Sprint to JK at £8.50 and Croeso at £13.50. Forgot that Bof need 1/3 or is it 1/2 of profit so I suppose it's valid to charge a lot so the organising club(s) end up with a bit of profit. After all, they are the ones that do the work for very little return. I would be happier if the clubs kept all the residue.

[FRBlackSheep]

There is something to be said for the view that you "get what you pay for", and so cheap fees could make people think "it can't be much good if that's all it costs".

This is fine when you 'get what you pay for' but all too regularly I've been parting with some hard earned coinage to run on inkjet printed non waterproof maps (which I've then sweated the detail off or waiting for recycled maps because the organisers didn't anticipate how popular their event would be....

Now I can live with that for a local event when I'm paying a fiver but most of the events above have been in double figures - not really supporting the argument there.

Yes putting on large scale events can be expensive - but at the end of the day are we putting on events for competitors or to make clubs/BO money?

We have to be careful we don't justify rising costs - just because commercial companies in other sports charge the earth...

[madmike]

but at the end of the day are we putting on events for competitors or to make clubs/BO money?..

both

[Freefall]

There's nothing wrong with clubs/BOF "making money" as long as how that money is spent is for the good of the sport.

[Taybank]

Paul mentions road races -
Interestingly, there are always loads of cheap road and crosscountry races around, many of which attract quality entries but they usually have a small turnout. A lot of runners will only go to expensive races.
Does that apply to orienteering?
Some people confuse price with quality.

[andypat]

[quote="RS"]Was comparing Sprint to JK at £8.50 [/re the quote]

Thats probably not a fair comparison as they did make a special effort to keep entry fees very low in Belfast due to the additional travel costs for most people to get across.

[FRBlackSheep]

There is no issue at all with clubs turning a profit - merely that this should not be at the expense of the competitor - with high level entry fees - the least you should expect are adequate provision of maps and facilities of a reasonable quality.

I am well aware of the clubs need also to cover costs of equipment repair, BO levees etc, but this is perfectably achievable without charging high prices for poor quality.

(and before its said I am not commenting on the future quality of said event which started this discussion, I'm sure it will be wonderful and worth the £15.)

[RS]

Andypat, I was referring to JK2012.
As for keeping prices down in Belfast,if the Irish can manage it......

[Spookster]

Forgot that Bof need 1/3 or is it 1/2 of profit so I suppose it's valid to charge a lot so the organising club(s) end up with a bit of profit.

Actually, like all Partnership Agreement events, it's 2/3 surplus to BOF and 1/3 to the club/association. But that's instead of levy, and for something like the Sprints/Middle the amounts are probably similar, so no less surplus to the club in the end.