The year 2024 has been running. Running clubs, marathons, and Paris Olympicsand parkrun has just celebrated its 20th anniversary.
But the year isn’t over, the fall marathon season is just getting started with the Chicago and NYC marathons next month. Athletes from all over the world will consult their training plans, tying his shoes and we’re talking pounding the pavement in preparation for those all-important race days.
Races are a great way to prove to yourself (and the world) that you can achieve determination, drive and big goals; so it’s no surprise to find Fortune 500 CEOs on the starting line.
Britt OlsenThe director of On has spoken about his passion for trail running, and Priscilla Almodovar, CEO of Fannie Mae. say luck “three and a half marathons too many to count.”
But while running can be beneficial to the individual, it’s also about making money, from the millions raised by runners for charity to the huge endorsement deals. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)An Indian tech company that sponsors the NYC, London, Boston and Amsterdam marathons (among others) is paying $30 to $40 million annually for the privilege.
Local businesses also benefit greatly from the races—the Valencia Marathon in Spain— It has generated 31.3 million euros (about $34.7 million) in tourism to the city in 2023, for example.
But how much does running cost the individual?
The cost of being a runner
“Running is free,” say those who have only ever run for the bus.
Of course, there is no cost per session, but running is not cheap.
“It Costs Too Much,” Running and Mindset Coach, Ronnie Staton say luck. Staton supports and coaches ultramarathon runners (those who run farther than the 26.2-mile marathon distance, usually much farther) and is no stranger to long distances, having previously completed a 200km race across England.
He says the initial cost of absolute basics starts around £200 ($260), depending on the individual. This buys you a good pair of running shoes and the right running clothes.
“But that’s without a watch, a running vest, no tech-specific kit, no headphones, no hat,” Staton said.
“If you said, ‘Let’s go and buy now and get all the kit I should get,’ you’d be looking at about £1,000 ($1,313).”
Ronnie Staton on running costs.
As soon as you start running, “the costs start to spiral,” Staton said. “If you said, ‘Let’s go and buy now and get all the kit I should get,’ you’d be looking at about £1,000 ($1,313).”
That wouldn’t include the costs of fueling your runs, from running gels (carbohydrate gels that provide energy for long-distance runners) to protein powders (which help with recovery).
Regular supplements, gels, sports drinks and protein powders can also set runners back another £50 to £100 ($65 to $260) a month, depending on the person, Staton said.
While gels aren’t necessary for jogging in the park (unless you want to), as soon as you start running half-marathon distances, gels may increase your glucose levels to support your performance.
Significant costs
Don’t have a spare $1,500 laying around? Staton said many new runners will start with a couple of key products, namely the right running shoes, and build up from there.
He also recommends buying good running socks early on, which can cost around £15 ($20) but stop the dreaded blisters, and a cheap smartwatch that tracks your mileage and starts at around £100 ($130).
To keep costs from getting out of hand, Staton cautions to stay focused on an established store and not be tempted by all the random extras you can offer.
“Get what you need and start rocking.”
Keeping costs down
There are other ways to help mitigate costs in the long run.
First, steer clear of sports fashion brands that focus on making “cool-looking clothes,” says Staton, who prefers brands like Brooks and Saucony that make kits for runners.
Items from these brands will work for you and last longer.
When it’s time to replace your kit, make sure it’s absolutely necessary. Some brands suggest replacing running shoes once they’ve hit a certain mileage, for example, but Staton disagrees.
“People who run a lot don’t generally follow this rule. We run until we fall off our feet.’
You’ll know it’s time to throw out your old shoes if you start having new knee problems, shin splints or hip pain, but you haven’t changed your training plan, Staton said.
Of course, you might want to get a new pair if your toe goes through the front, he adds.
When it comes to feeding yourself, cut costs by avoiding things like protein bars and sticking to natural foods that are cheaper and better for you.
Race venue cost
It may be jogging at your local park, but many people want to mark their achievements with a run. But the cost of these can also be expensive, especially when it comes to marathons. The London Marathon, for example, sets UK residents back £69.99 ($91) while international participants are charged £225 ($295).
You can run most races for charity at a reduced entry cost; however, this requires you to do some fundraising and that changes the amount. You need to raise at least £2,000 ($2,625), or often more, for a charity place in the London Marathon, for example.
“Costs” of Life
Long distance running can also be expensive in terms of time.
In the middle of marathon training, plans include about six to eight hours of running per week. This can increase to more than 10 hours per week for ultra runners, Staton said.
That’s not including stretching, foam rolling, analyzing running stats, routes, massages, physio, finding and booking events and more.
Running “can become your life.” And when it becomes an obsession, as it does for many ultra runners, it means sacrifices in other areas of your life, be it relationships, social needs or otherwise.
“I sacrifice a lot,” Staton said. “I would like to write more and I don’t. I would like to learn to play the harmonica, but no. I would like to learn a language, but no.’
He shared that some ultra runners distance themselves from their partners or children because of the excessive amount of time spent training.
While many runners who will run 10 miles a week won’t push themselves to that level, they may want to make the sacrifices you make in other areas—cutting back on alcohol, skipping social events, or making big dietary changes, for example.
Can anyone become a long distance runner?
Staton says he believes “certainly” any reasonably healthy person can run a marathon “and beyond” if they put their mind to it.
“Everyone can do it right? I would say no,” Staton said.
Staton said, “You have to look at your resources, your time, your financial commitments, your kids, your job, everything before you commit to something like a marathon.”
