Join USAT or just pay $10 each race
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tsilcyc posted 21 weeks ago.
USAT
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590
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267 days
jsk85 posted 21 weeks ago.
I'm a 4th year member of USAT...If you do 4 or more USAT races you pay it off right there...plus you get a sweet car window sticker.
190
Member
424 days
Nutty posted 21 weeks ago.
I signed up this year. Did 4 races last year so itll pay off since i plan to do more this year. Also plan to get a state park yearly pass thing, since thats worth it after going into a park 4 or 5 times as well.
-Alan
My fancy new blogitty blog.
http://therunningfridge.blogspot.com/
85
Member
402 days
callco posted 21 weeks ago.
I joined. Not sure why.
Is USAT basically an insurance policy for race directors? I don't understand it. As far as I'm concerned, USAT membership benefits me (directly) nada.
257
Member
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fastdog5 posted 21 weeks ago.
callco wrote:
I joined. Not sure why.Is USAT basically an insurance policy for race directors? I don't understand it. As far as I'm concerned, USAT membership benefits me (directly) nada.
But the $10 non-member race fee is not optional if you do USAT-sponsored races. So as stated above, if you do more than 4 of these, it's a no-brainer even without the window sticker.
BTW, If you join as a new member & can locate a receipt for a USAT race from the past year, you get $10 off the membership.
85
Member
402 days
callco posted 21 weeks ago.
I understand the economics of it.
I want to understand what USAT does. Specifically, why would a race director make their race a USAT event?
This year, as a member, it doesn't matter anymore. But for next year I will probably just look for races that aren't USAT events.
That is, unless someone can explain to me (costs aside) why I would want to be a USAT member. In other words, what do I get out of it (beyond the groovy window sticker)?
1071
Member
295 days
TriSooner posted 21 weeks ago.
callco wrote:
Is USAT basically an insurance policy for race directors?
Ding ding ding! I think that is it. I have joined USAT in the past, but not in a couple of seasons. Since I practice what I preach "train more, race less" - I don't do enough USAT-santioned races to cover the cost of a full membership. (I do Ironman-branded events, and usually only one or two per year, and USAT is not required at Ironman events). And as far as the sticker goes, anyone can get a USAT sticker to tell the world "I do tris" just by buying a membership. Whoop.
Quote:
As far as I'm concerned, USAT membership benefits me (directly) nada.
Other than the neat-o rankings six months after the season ends, that is if you do ENOUGH of their races . . .
callco wrote:
Probably very little, other than rankings and 'certifying' courses and coache$. They might have something to do with the Olympic tri team, but imagine at some point the USOC takes over. USAT is a money-making organization (not 501 c 3). For comparison purposes, think of the USATF (track and field): they certify 5k through marathon courses but they don't require a USATF 'membership' to run a race. Could you imagine signing up for a 10k or something and the RD saying you had to have a USATF 'membership' or pay an extra $10.
I want to understand what USAT does . . . In other words, what do I get out of it (beyond the groovy window sticker)?
427
Member
387 days
Sully800 posted 21 weeks ago.
You also get the quarter annual triathlon life magazine, email updates and information if you choose (which is a lot like articles and threads you may find through trifuel) and the rankings that trisooner mentioned.
179
Member
526 days
FlashRedGLS1.8T posted 21 weeks ago.
I signed up for USAT earlier this year, I also got $10 off of membership because I sent in one of my race receipts from last year. I'm already $20 into savings for this year. All of the races in my area charge the $10 one-day-USAT fee if you are not a member. So for me it's a no brainer.
Doing more than four for this year, I'll save $ and get the benefits. Very cool.
187
Member
298 days
GGehrke posted 21 weeks ago.
I've noticed you can often skip a long wait in packet pickup. That was nice... I guess...
I joined this year (first time) and probably won't next year because my schedule is going to be unpredictable (Navy) and I probably won't race enough to break even.
I should sell my window sticker on eBay. I could probably recoup most of the membership fee if that's all people care about.
85
Member
402 days
callco posted 21 weeks ago.
Thanks, TriSooner.
What seems to be missed by folks posting here is that "saving" money by getting the membership is a bit misleading. Seems to me we would be saving money by getting rid of USAT altogether. The issue really isn't whether or not to become a member. It's whether or not to support events that are USAT sanctioned. USAT seems like a racket to me.
858
Member
832 days
tsilcyc posted 21 weeks ago.
callco wrote:
Seems to me we would be saving money by getting rid of USAT altogether. The issue really isn't whether or not to become a member. It's whether or not to support events that are USAT sanctioned. USAT seems like a racket to me.
If we're going to get rid of a useless entity, can it be Active.com? I would like them to be first.
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gfd posted 21 weeks ago.
All the tris in my area are USAT, so I don't have a choice in the matter. The benefits don't equal the cost IMO. The emails are informative at times, but other times they are simply attempts to sell products. I understand a governing body to legitimize a sport is probably necessary, but the extra charge for racing, in an already expensive sport, is shady.
Does the US Track and Field Assoc. certify marathons? Do they charge?
2400
Member
1279 days
Triguy98 posted 21 weeks ago.
callco wrote:
That is, unless someone can explain to me (costs aside) why I would want to be a USAT member. In other words, what do I get out of it (beyond the groovy window sticker)?
Reasons for the USAT-
They run the national rankings system, the national championships, and the national team (no going to worlds without usat.)
They provide a consistent set of rules and regulations. I havent done a USAT race that wasnt a little "loose" on rule enforcement, with drafting being the worst, but many other things it would have been nice to have the following reason there for-
USAT provides trained officials to referee the course. They enforce the standard rules.
Now, before you think I am a big national federation junkie- I think they are over charging for the product is used to be $30 when I started racing. I dont see why it needs to be $10 now. If anything, it should be cheaper because of the increasing number of triathletes providing more income. But 9/ 10 USAT sanctioned races are better than non sanctioned races
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
590
Member
267 days
jsk85 posted 21 weeks ago.
Triguy98 wrote:
They provide a consistent set of rules and regulations. I havent done a USAT race that wasnt a little "loose" on rule enforcement, with drafting being the worst, but many other things it would have been nice to have the following reason there for-
I was just getting ready to bring that up...they provide standardization, which is big so you know you can go to any USAT race in the country and expect the same thing...don't have to read through the rules thoroughly at every race to make sure there's not some small difference that will get you DQed.
That being said, the cost for a year membership is definately more than its worth just looking at what you get, but especially for people who do a good deal of short course races, you're limiting your options greatly by looking only outside USAT races.
And...it's $39 for a year...we post all day about equipment upgrades this and that talking about dropping a couple grand on a bike, or $100+ for nice bike shorts, etc...and people are complaining about $39. I'm a relatively poor kid just out of college and that still seems pretty insignificant to me.
858
Member
832 days
tsilcyc posted 21 weeks ago.
I'm pretty sure it's always been a break even point for me so I've been pretty indifferent towards them. I just always look at it as something to pay. But now that I'm thinking about it what about the coaching and race director services? Don't they offer education services for both? Is there any other triathlon coaching credential? I'm not even sure what the difference between the levels are but I know there's at least a Level I and Level II coaching credential.
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FlashRedGLS1.8T posted 21 weeks ago.
I don't mind USAT, keep them, I vote for getting rid of Active.com. :thumbup:
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fastdog5 posted 21 weeks ago.
callco wrote:
Thanks, TriSooner.What seems to be missed by folks posting here is that "saving" money by getting the membership is a bit misleading. Seems to me we would be saving money by getting rid of USAT altogether. The issue really isn't whether or not to become a member. It's whether or not to support events that are USAT sanctioned. USAT seems like a racket to me.
Just to be clear, that's not what I said. My point was, if you choose to do a race sponsored by USAT, the fee is not optional, so you might as well join since if you don't, you're essentially paying for membership and receiving none of the ancillary benefits highlighted by other posters. If you don't care about any of these things, you'd still be foolish from an economic standpoint not to join if you do > 4 USAT races. In my area, most of the "good" races are sponsored, so we haven't much choice. Since these tend to be the more popular events, a few individuals boycotting USAT-sanctioned events to get them to go away will have no effect.
USAT would have you believe their races are safer because the RDs have to adhere to USAT safety standards to keep their sanctioning. A race in my area did have their sanctioning pulled by USAT over safety concerns, so they most be monitoring this in some form.
Regarding the Active.com fee, while less convenient, in most of the races you have the option to mail in your registration & not pay the fee.
179
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FlashRedGLS1.8T posted 21 weeks ago.
fastdog5 wrote:
Regarding the Active.com fee, while less convenient, in most of the races you have the option to mail in your registration & not pay the fee.
Yeap, noted.
For you frequent racers out there, are you still just paying $10 on top of whatever your race registration fee is everytime, or have you joined USAT?
Is it really worth it?