Are Ultras Worth It?
Not many people run ultramarathons, so is it worth it to produce one? The Chicago Lakefront 50m/50k, produced by ChicagoUltra.com attracted 143 runners to its 50k and 50 runners to its 50m last weekend. The 50m winner hails from New York City, and other out-of-town competitors peppered the results.
The club isn't put off by the small numbers and is actually frugal enough to earn a little bit of profit.
Race organizers are ultramarathoners and think it's important to offer runners a longer distance soon after the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. They know that ultra runners are very grateful to have an opportunity to compete and rarely complain about anything.
The event meets the standards of the Chicago Area Runners Association and offers a 26.2 mile split for runners who want to qualify for upcoming marathons.
Still, if you are considering a new race, get some financial advice about race management before getting started.