Marathon entry fee

Press, 26 May 1983, Page 14

Marathon entry fee

Sir, — Rod Rutherford (May 13) has explained where $2 of the $l2 goes for entry in the Adidas marathon. He rightly says too that several hundred officials give their time freely both before and on race day. Where does the remaining $lO per competitor go? If several thousand compete it will amount to a minimum of $25,000-$40,000. Has it ever occurred to Rod Rutherford that many people find it abhorrent to be forced to run in what is from the Adidas viewpoint primarily a great public relations exercise? It is the only local marathon open to non-registered competitors so they do not have other options. At the moment we have a multinational corporation getting all the publicity and probably a profit as well for what should be a home-grown civic focal point. Let us have a race we can take pride in entering. Has anyone thought of organising a City of Christchurch marathon with no sponsors and no prizes? Just a straight race? — Yours, etc., JIM SMYTH. May 13, 1983.

[The marathon organisers reply: “The marathon budget provides for an income of $50,200, $24,200 of that from entry fees for the marathon and half-marathon. The remainder consists of sponsorships in cash and sale of T-shirts, and expected receipts of $2OOO from the after-race function. Costs amount to an estimated $48,200 — advertising, $4000; membership of " international marathon organisation, $2000; Amateur Athletics Association, Canterbury, $3200 ($2 registration fee for each non-registered runner); general expenses, $2000; grants and donations (Ministry of Transport, St John, two-way radio operators, etc.) $1000; function expenses $2000; printing (net of sponsorship) $6000; training awards $10,000; race expenses (numbers, cups, refreshments, sponges, etc.) $7000; stationery and postage $4000; part-time staff member, paid at hourly rate, $6000; telephone and tolls, $lOOO. Total $48,200. The budgeted profit is $2OOO. Whatever the profit eventually is would be immaterial: some finance is needed to carry over for early advertising printing etc of next year’s event, and the rest is given to the city of Christchurch for recreational and sporting purposes. Audited financial statements will be available after the marathon. They have to be filed with the Companies Office (as an incorporated body), and it is possible that a financial statement will be published by advertisement.”]