Is it quality vs. fund-raising?
When churches and other not-for-profits hold carnivals as fund-raisers, people don't show up for the cause. Most don't know or care about the cause. They just want to ride the ferris wheel, eat cotton candy, or win prizes. It's an experience.
Races are the same. Most people - including slow runners - participate for an athletic experience. The cause usually doesn't matter.
Yet, a growing number of charities host races as fund-raisers. Charitymile.org offers suggestions for raising money from a wide variety of special events. RunWalkRide does the same for large fund-raising operations.
So, how can charities be persuaded to provide logistical quality and not just focus on raising money?
(By the way, most runners - even casual, recreational runners - want a quality event).