Races That Pay

A team member mentioned to me the other day that it would be cool to win some prize money to off-set costs of racing. It would! Team prizes also financed Santa Cruz Endurance's first teams. But it's slim pickings for amateurs. Here's what I know in the Bay Area:

Teams

USA Productions Tri Club Challenge Series has $2750 prize pool spread over 5 races this summer. Points are awarded for strong age group finishes and also participation. SCE has 6 members signed up so far for their first race in Morgan Hill on May 16.

Threshold Racing is a new race series and they are offering $2500 to clubs over a two race series (Reservoir and Metro Triathlons). The details I was given were a little vague but it's basically a total of the first 3 females and first 3 males finishing times plus a participation bonus.

The Santa Cruz Triathlon was the first in the area to offer a team competition. It offers $1500 but it has traditionally been split among the larger clubs. Details are not yet published on the website.

Individuals

SCE discovered the great new South Valley Endurance race company. Samantha Forde and Dan McKinnon have been winning the $50 and free entries on offer for their Dirty Legs Series races.

For women the Dirt Inspires Half Marathon in Nisene Marks State Park on August 29 boasts a $500, $300, $200 overall pool and more money for over 40s and over 50s.

The new Morgan Hill Marathon has prize money for 5k, 10k, Half and Marathon events have impressive pay outs for individuals featuring $1000 checks for first place in the marathon. That's November 7.

The Wharf to Wharf pays $3000, $2000, $1000 but good luck with that one if you're not African.

May 15, 2010 - Heart and Sole race in Salinas has $50 for 10k male/female overall

And don't forget the lucrative underground 6mi Whale to Whale Time Trial.

Let me know if you know of others and I will post to this blog.