How Much Does an “Average” Runner in PH Spend in a Year?

Posted On July 9, 2024

You probably heard the phrase, “running is a cheap sport.” There’s a lot of truth in that, but there are also some things unspoken about it.

Yes, running is relatively more affordable than most sports that require more equipment, like biking and kayaking. You can also do it almost anywhere without paying for facilities like they do in swimming and tennis.

But here’s the truth. Running is only “cheap” when compared to other sports.

Running can be a bit expensive on its own, especially once you’ve immersed yourself in the hobby or sport.

5 Things That Most Runners Spend Their Money On

Before we go tally the numbers, let’s first define what is an “average” or “intermediate” runner.

There’s no clear definition about them really, but they are somewhere between beginner runners and veteran runners. We’re talking about people who have been exposed to running for a few years and may have run a few 10Ks and even a 21K. They may also be planning to run their first full marathon or are training for it.

Now that’s out of the way, let’s break down some of the things that an intermediate runner spends on running, their costs, and how much in total you can expect to spend in a year.

Do take note that I am speaking mostly of my own experience. Some runners may be spending more or less than the figures mentioned in this post. With that in mind, let’s list some of the common expenses for runners so we can have a ballpark figure:

1. Running Shoes (PHP 22,000 a Year)

Running shoes are the happy pill of any runner. They’re also where most of their money goes, especially if they’re running high mileage weekly.

For many runners, they usually have a rotation of two to three shoes at a time.

You have your daily trainer shoes, which you use for training or regular runs. Then, you have the race shoes for 10K to 21K distances.

If you are planning for longer distances like a marathon, you also need another pair for that. Some runners also have dedicated shoes for speed workouts like interval training.

Most shoes usually last around 600 to 900 kilometers before you see significant wear and tear.

Several factors affect how long your shoe will last from its material, how hard you strike the ground, and the terrain or surface you usually run on.

Assuming you run a mileage of 50 to 70 kilometers a week to prepare for that hard-earned 21K distance, you’ll burn a pair in four to six months. Sure, you can also factor in weeks you’re in chill mode. But let’s assume that you’ll use at least two daily trainers in a year.

As for how many race shoes you should have, it really depends on how often you race in a year. We will also add that later, but for now, let’s assume you only use one for the whole year.

Here’s how it should look on your expenses sheet:

2 Brand New Daily Trainers x P6,000 a pair = ₱ 12,000
1 Brand New Race Shoes x P10,000 a pair = ₱ 10,000

I know what you’re thinking: Those are expensive shoes, and I can get something cheaper on the used market, or “ukay.” That is true, and you can easily reduce your shoe budget to the ₱15,000 level or even lower. But let’s just say that our “intermediate runner” is willing to save up for brand-new ones.

We’ll make a post in the future about how you can save money as a runner. So, for now, please bear with these figures.

2. Race Registrations (₱18,600)

Foot races or running events are the reason many runners train and run all those miles. They’re the ultimate test to find out if all their hard work will pay off. They’re also a great chance to mingle with the running community and earn memorable tokens such as finisher’s shirts and medals.

The number of races per year varies greatly from one runner to another. Let’s assume that you get to join one race a month and that your preferred distances are 10K and 21K. And, let’s say you join these events equally, so that’s six 10K and six 21K a year.

The prices of races also differ from one organizer to another. Other factors, such as the location, title sponsors, and race kit inclusions (finisher shirt and medal) also affect the registration fee.

But, the price per kilometer, at least in Metro Manila, usually ranges at ₱80 to ₱100 or more.

Take the Milo Marathon 2024 10K, for example, which is priced at ₱1,399. Meanwhile, the regular rate for the 21K of the HOKA Trilogy is ₱2,000.

Going back to our one race-per-month assumption, here’s how much those races cost:

Six 10K race kits x ₱100 per kilometer = ₱6,000
Six 21K race kits x ₱100 per kilometer = ₱12,600

Races held in rural areas or organized by local groups tend to have lower registration fees. So, these figures can be lower.

3. Hydration and Energy Gels (₱8,000)

Once you start taking running a bit seriously, you need to change a few things in your diet. For example, you will now regularly need to consume drinks rich in electrolytes and foods packed with carbohydrates to replenish those that you lost during your run.

In some cases, you might also need to take a few supplements to help you with muscle and bone growth. While you can categorize these items as general expenditures for your overall health, two items are specific to running: sports drinks and energy gels.

Your consumption of said items will also vary depending on your training. But here’s a simple breakdown if you consume two sports drinks a week (one 350 mL for 10K and another 500 mL for 16K up runs) and energy gels for those 21K race events and race prep. Let’s assume that you have two rest weeks during the holiday season, so that’s:

Two bottles energy drink x ₱50 per bottle x 50 weeks = ₱5,000

Twenty energy gels x ₱150 per gel = ₱3,000

I also did not include some food staples such as bananas, chocolates, or energy bars that you can take after the run to quickly recover your energy. There are also runs where you have to go to the local convenience store just to buy ice-cold bottled water to quench your thirst.

4. Running Wear and Accessories (₱2,500)

What a runner wears when they run on the road or race day also varies from one person to another. There’s a lot of what’s considered as running wear, such as tights, compression socks, sports bras, headbands, socks, wristbands, and belt bags.

I usually buy these two things yearly – two running shorts and a set of running socks. Again, the price for these varies based on the model of the item, its materials, design, features, etc. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Two running shorts x ₱750 each = ₱1,500
One bundle of running socks x ₱1,000 each = ₱1,000

I won’t reveal what brands these items are from, but let’s just say that they’re from the sports outlet that sells “affordable” items. I won’t mention one-time purchases like sports watches or ear phones since you usually buy them once every few years.

5. Other Expenses (TBD)

Aside from the four previously mentioned items, there are other expenses related to running that go unnoticed. For example, the fare to race venues, group runs, or training sessions with your run club.

Additionally, parking and gas also falls into this category. So does accommodation to hotels or inns when you attend out-of-town races.

When you are carb loading for a race or getting a medical certificate, those expenses might also fly below your financial radar.

Subscriptions to apps like Strava and hiring a personal coach may also fall in the to-be-determined category since not all runners opt for them.

With everything considered, here’s a good estimate of how much an intermediate runner spends…

Intermediate Runners Spend More Than ₱50,000 a Year

When you total all of the items on this post, you get ₱51,100. That’s about how much an intermediate runner spends a year on running. Again, this is just a ballpark figure.

If you are spending less than this, then your cutting-down cost strategy is quite amazing.

Conversely, if you are spending more than the figure, then that’s OK too. After all, we all have varying means and appreciate running differently.

What about you? Do you know how much you usually spend a year on running? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and share your experience with us.