Race Director Input on Refunds and Bib Exchanges

We heard back from some race directors in response to our blog on Bib Exchange and Refunds – a Runners Right?.  I think the two responses below capture the range of comments:

We are a non profit that runs a road race as a fundraiser for our programs serving homeless and low income folks.  We are not professional race managers.  We work for a year to put on our events which include a 5K, 10K, 3K walks and kids sprint. Evrything gond on for the race is  on top of our regular work. We cannot refund entries because our costs don’t change due to 1 or 2 or 10 runners dropping out. We state on the application that if the person does not participate their registration will be considered a donation and that we do not give refunds.  We also do not allow people to switch races because it makes more work for us to keep track of it and make sure the race management co gets the changes.

 – Lisa Christie

And one that was totally in favor!

I totally support the ability to exchange bibs.  Have it be done online and charge a small fee to do it.  It’s really a no brainer and it will generate additional revenue.  What is the big deal?  If the old athletes information is exchanged for the new athlete, what is the harm?  Frankly, I don’t know why it hasn’t been done sooner.

– Valerie Kilcoin