When Michael Conway lines up for the New York City Marathon on Sunday, he will have spent thousands of dollars before even starting to run across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Mr. Conway, 30, owns five pairs of running sneakers, each costing at least $160, plus hundreds more for edible liquid gels and race fees needed to gain entry.
Amateur athletes routinely spend thousands each year on carbon-planted shoes, track club memberships and race fees. Nearly a quarter of a million people applied to run the New York City Marathon through the lottery this year; just 1 percent, or 2,400, gained access that way. Roughly 60,000 people are set to run this year’s race.
New York Road Runners says it has not raised its $255 marathon entry fee for members in a decade. Starting in 2028, the popular 9+1 program will be based on a drawing, and runners must pay $99 to join plus more for each required race. Mr. Conway spent roughly $350 to participate in the nine runs for this year.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing