One of the many things I love about running is that it doesn’t cost a fortune. Unlike other sports, such as golf or skiing, you don’t need any expensive equipment and it’s not necessary to spend money every time you want to do it.
Still, once you’ve been running for a while, you start to realize that your habit can hurt your wallet if you’re not careful. The cost of race entries, travel to runs and races, running shoes and apparel, fun gadgets, and sports nutrition can definitely start to add up.
Here are some ways you can save money on running shoes, races, clothes, and other gear.
1. Make your running shoes last longer.
It’s important to replace your running shoes every 300 to 400 miles, but getting new shoes every couple of months can get expensive. But there are some things you can do to make sure your shoes reach the higher end of that range.
First, don’t wear them for anything other than running or working out. Even if you’re just walking around in them, you’re still wearing out the cushioning.
Rotating two pairs of running shoes can make them last longer. If you give your shoes a 48-hour break in between runs, the foam will have time to decompress, which can extend the shoes’ life up to 100 miles.
Always untie your shoes when you take them off, rather than using your foot to kick them off. Forcing your feet in and out of your shoes without untying and retying them can affect the support.
Keep your running shoes in a cool, dry place where they can air out properly. If they get wet, don’t put them next to a heater or in the dryer. If you place balls of newspaper in your wet shoes, the paper will absorb the moisture.
Need to clean your dirty running shoes? Use a scrub brush, mild soap, and cold water, and then let them air dry.
2. Run local races.
While traveling to out-of-town races can be fun, the cost of transportation, hotel, and meals really add up. Save time and money on all those travel expenses by running races closer to home. If you stick to smaller, local races, you’ll also find the entry fees to be less expensive.
3. Save money on running nutrition.
Gel packets and energy bars can be convenient ways to eat needed calories energy during long runs, but they can be expensive. Experiment with cheaper alternatives during your long runs, such as candy corn, jelly beans, and other candies. You can especially find good deals on candies after holidays such as Halloween and Easter.
Some runners even use honey packets instead of sports gels. If you really like a specific brand of gels, blocks, or bars and want to stick with them, but them in bulk to save some dough.
For sports drinks, buy containers of powdered sports drink mixes. It’s much cheaper and better for the environment since you can make it in a reusable sports bottle.
4. Buy second-hand running gear.
Another great way to save money on upgrading your exercise gear is to buy second-hand items. You can often find gently used running clothes, shoes, and equipment at a fraction of the retail price. Check out online marketplaces, thrift stores, or local buy/sell/trade groups for some great deals.
I wanted to get a deep water running belt and actually found one at a tag sale for a mere $5, a huge savings from the retail price.
When you buy gently-used gear, not only will you be saving money, but you’ll also be giving these items a second life.
5. Shop for discounts on running shoes, clothes, and other gear.
You don’t have to break the bank by shopping at higher-end athletic wear stores. Get ideas for where you can find bargains for running clothes and other gear for all seasons, including Amazon, Target, Baleaf, and TJ Maxx. One way I like to save on my favorite running shoes is to buy an older model of the shoe at a discount when a new version is released.
Keep an eye out for sales and clearance items, as these stores frequently offer additional discounts on already discounted merchandise.
6. Join online fitness communities for gear swaps.
Another great way to upgrade your running gear on a budget is to join online fitness communities or running clubs for gear swaps. These online groups are filled with avid exercisers looking to trade, sell, or even give away their gently used gear. Not only can you find high-quality items at a fraction of the cost, but you can also connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for fitness.
7. Freeze your gym membership.
Do you prefer to run outdoors during the better weather months? Or will you be traveling for a significant portion of the month? If you know you’ll rarely make it to the gym during an upcoming month or two, see if you can put your gym membership on hold. Many gyms and health clubs allow members to freeze their memberships for an extended period of time as a courtesy or for a small monthly fee.
8. Plan your race schedule ahead of time.
Most races give discounts for early registration. Sign up early for races that you know you definitely want to run. You’ll save some money and also get more motivated to run, knowing that you have some races on your calendar.
9. Look for other ways to save money on running races.
You can also look for races that offer incentives, such as free race entries, to volunteers. You can work at the registration table or number pick-up before the race and still run it — without paying the entry fee. Some races will give volunteers the same goodie bag as the race participants, so it’s a good way to get free running gear.
Some races also offer registration discounts through sites like Groupon or other promotions. They may not mention a discount on the race website, but do a quick search before you register. Just type the name of the race and “coupon code” or “discount” into your search engine and see what comes up.
10. Stay injury free.
Between physical therapy, doctors’ visits, massages, and other therapies, recovering from a running injury can be extremely pricey.
To avoid the hassle and expense of injury recovery, make sure that you listen to your body and follow injury prevention tips. You may also want to invest in some inexpensive injury prevention tools, such as a foam roller.
Running coach, avid runner, and fitness writer Christine Luff is an RRCA-certified running coach and ACE-certified personal trainer. Founder of the website Run for Good and author of the book Run for Good: How to Create a Lifelong Running Habit, she coaches runners, from beginners to advanced, who are training for races, from 5Ks to marathons.
