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Key Takeaways
- Combine running with vacation plans to save on destination races and maximize your travel budget.
- Traveling with friends can help split costs, making it easier to enjoy race weekends together.
- Utilize travel credit card perks, credit card sign-up bonuses, and airline loyalty programs to reduce expenses.
- Look for race discounts, early bird pricing, and social media promo codes to lower race entry fees.
- Explore alternative transportation options like trains or buses for cheaper travel costs.
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When I first started running, I didn’t even think about traveling for races. I ran alone, kept my runs off social media, and when I finally started racing, I stuck to small, local races. Traveling to another city to run a race did not even cross my mind. It wasn’t until I started running with a local running group that I realized there is a whole world of races I could experience!
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How I Discovered Budget-Friendly Race Travel
A half marathon in my city felt like a huge achievement, and I never imagined traveling to another state, let alone country, to run.
That changed when I joined a running group and met people who were not only running races in other parts of the country, they were running races all over the world. Suddenly, the idea of combining travel with running seemed not just possible, but really exciting. Over the years, I’ve run races in Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, New York, California, Florida and Indiana. In 2024 I ran my first international race with the Berlin Marathon and in 2025 I’m headed to London.
While traveling for a race can be expensive, I’ve learned how to cut costs along the way. Whether you’re looking to run your first out-of-town half marathon or dreaming of earning your Abbott World Marathon Majors medal, here are smart ways to save on destination races without sacrificing the experience.
Combine Destination Running with an Already-Planned Vacation
Want to cross off a new state or country on your race list? One of the easiest ways to save money is to piggyback a race onto a vacation you’re already planning. This helps you make the most of your travel budget while ensuring you stay active on your trip.
For example, when I got into the Brooklyn Half Marathon through the lottery, I planned my trip around it and saw Back to the Future on Broadway (one of my 2024 Bingo Card goals!). It was the perfect way to maximize my time and travel budget.
Related Post: Looking for additional deals, consider hiring a travel agent! Check out this post for the benefits of working with a travel agent and how you can get their services for free!
Save on Destination Races by Sharing Expenses by Traveling with Friends
Running vacations are even better with friends, especially when you can split costs. Going on a race vacation is a great reason to plan a girls trip or to celebrate a milestone birthday! Consider the following for your racecation to plan your trip on a budget.
- Sharing an Airbnb or hotel room to reduce accommodation expenses. Pick hotels that offer a meal included.
- Splitting Uber/Lyft rides to and from the race. If public transportation is an option, consider this on busy race mornings since some of the roads may be closed.
- Taking advantage of referral discounts—some races offer a discount when you refer friends to sign up. Some races provide group discounts for teams. Check if your destination race offers perks for signing up with a group.
Related Post: Looking to maximize your airline miles? Check these tips for adding more miles to your airline loyalty accounts!
Pro Tip: Before booking your next vacation, check race calendars for upcoming events at your destination.
Maximize Travel Credit Card Perks
If you plan to travel for races, a good travel rewards credit card can be a game-changer. Many cards offer:
- Sign-up bonuses that can cover flights or hotels
- No foreign transaction fees (a must for international races!)
- Travel insurance in case of delays or cancellations
When I signed up for the United Card, I hit my sign-up bonus by using it for medical co-pays and then reimbursing myself through my Flex Spend Account (FSA). Those points earned me a free flight! Over time I’ve earned a few free flights (including my upcoming trip to London). With the United Card, I earned other perks like Instacart+ and free Global Entry. For more tips on how to maximize your travel miles, check out this post!
Pro Tip: Look for credit cards that partner with hotels or airlines you frequently use for even bigger savings. Some cards offer free checked bag fees or free TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, which can save you time when traveling through domestic security or US Customs.
Volunteer or Become a Race Pacer for Free Entries
Want to run a race for free? Many races offer pacer positions, which come with perks like:
- Free Race Entries – Most pacer roles are considered a complimentary entry for pacing the race.
- Discounted Race Entries – Some race offer the opportunity to come back for a future race for free or at a discount for volunteering, so it’s worth following race message boards to find out options for your travel plans.
- Complimentary Race Swag – This is a nice perk some races offer volunteers for offering their time.
- Possible Travel Reimbursements – Some pace companies offer travel credits or reimbursements for pacers who travel to pace a race.
I’m on the mailing list for Beast Pacing, and I frequently check for pacer opportunities in cities where I’d like to visit friends or family. Most races offer paces from the front to the back of the pack (including the sweeper) so there are options no matter how fast you run.
Pro Tip: If pacing isn’t for you, some races offer free or discounted entries if you volunteer at another event in their series.
Enroll in Frequent Flyer & Hotel Loyalty Programs
If you travel often for races, loyalty points can add up fast. Airlines and hotels often reward frequent travelers with:
- Free flights or upgrades after accumulating miles. If you have a credit card that offers perks, it’s worth signing up to accumulate point faster.
- Room upgrades & free stays through hotel points. Like airline credit cards, hotel credit cards are also a way to get free hotel rooms faster than just staying at the hotel. Also look for options to connect your Uber account to your Marriott Bonvoy account to earn points while you use your Uber account.
- Discounts on future travel!
Pro Tip: If you already have a travel credit card, link it to your airline and hotel accounts for even faster rewards. You can also earn free Marriot Bonvoy points when you connect to the Uber app. Acorns offers a percentage of each ride as an investment through the Acorns app when you use a linked card.
Look for Race Discounts & Early Bird Pricing for Runners
Races can be pricey, but there are ways to get a lower entry fee:
- Sign up early for early bird pricing. Most races offer their cheapest entry fees when you sign up at the beginning of the registration window and the price continues to go up until the race sells out.
- Follow races on social media for promo codes. Some races will have flash sales and the best way to see when these are available is through their social media account.
- Check for discount codes on Reddit. Some races offer codes to influencers or for friends to share and refer their friends. Sometimes these codes are on Reddit, so check before submitting your entry, just in case.
- Join running clubs! Sometimes running groups will offer exclusive race discounts for their members.
Pro Tip: Some races offer “deferral” or “race insurance” options, which can be worth it if your schedule is unpredictable. Make sure you know the terms for what’s included to avoid surprises.
More on How to Save on Travel Races
If you’re looking for deals when it comes to planning your itinerary, there are so many alternative options if your first choice is too expensive.
Consider Alternative Transportation for Cheaper Travel Costs
If flights are expensive, think beyond airfare when planning your itinerary.
- Check Amtrak for train options or long-distance buses for budget-friendly options.
- Consider using Uber instead of renting a car when you arrive at your destination.
- Consider carpooling with running friends to split gas and tolls.
- In Europe, consider flying into another city and taking the train to your race city.
- Some European races offer train discounts for participants on the days leading up to the race or on the day of the event.
Pro Tip: If driving, look for race weekend hotel deals that include free parking and/or free breakfast to save even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Costs can vary widely depending on the destination, but major marathons often include the cost to enter the race ($200-$350 for your race entry, hotels, flights, meals and transportation. The overall cost for a World Major Marathon trip can be at least $1,500. For smaller races, you can expect to pay $500-$1,500 depending on the race city and hw long you stay.
Pick a smaller race (non-World Major) that you can add to an existing travel plan. Use points and miles to cover the cost of flights and your hotel. Split the cost with friends to lower your overall cost.
Final Thoughts: Run the World Without Breaking the Bank
Traveling for races doesn’t have to drain your bank account. With a little planning and strategy, you can explore new destinations, collect amazing race experiences, and save money along the way.
Which of these tips have you tried? Drop a comment below and share your best race travel savings hack!
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