$ign of the Time$

Slowly , but surely, the nation's financial woes have crept into the running scene most notably in the price of high performance running shoes. Two years ago when I returned (again) to registering for road races, "high end" shoes costs roughly $80-90, a price worth paying to extend the well being of your feet, especially for a runner. Recently I have noticed the similarly designed and prodcu3ed low-end shoe costing $100.

Two days ago I received an e-mail from the organizer/financial underwriter for a local road race that I ran this past summer. Unfortunately it was one of the few local summer races with a cumulative distance over 10k (6.2 miles). The e-mail informed myself (and anyone else for whom the organization had and e-mail that:

I’m sorry to report that the lousy economy has forced XXXX to cancel our... 10Mile & 5K Races this year. Along with the rest of the world, we are struggling to keep our heads above water and, very reluctantly, had to make the sad decision to wait until next year, hoping that we can do it then.

I suspect that more e-mails like this will be sent out shoudl the economics downturn continue (as it appears it will). I, for one, have found myself registering for less races over the past few years as my motivation and training habits have changed. As difficult as it may be to ponying up $15-70 bucks per race (5k very reasonably priced, 26.2 miles muy expensive!), the same cost cutting measures are being enacted by not-for-profits and for-profit organizations alike.

Embrassez votre été invincible!