Let me start by saying that I’m a fan of Costco. Cheap gas out front, decent selection in the store and I really dig the $1.50 hot dog/soda combo (be sure to ask for sauerkraut). And if you’ve got a family, you can buy a ton of stuff in bulk and save quite a bit of cash. It’s a very successful business model.

With sauerkraut please.

But it doesn’t work so well for a single guy like me. Sure I’d love to get a bag of salad, but there’s no way one lone dude can chow down 3-pounds of leafy stuff before it goes bad. Even Bugs Bunny would probably say “What the hell, Doc” as he tries to polish off a “Kirkland Brand-sized” (aka “mondo-gi-hugic”) bag of carrots.

For some people, shopping is actually more cost effective when you buy things in smaller quantities or one at a time.

Now what does this all have to do with running, you may ask?

Well kick back, grab yourself a Costco hot dog (with extra sauerkraut) or one of those weird chicken-bake things they sell and I’ll tell you.

When we pay for races, it’s typically an “a la carte” world. One race, one fee. Pretty straightforward, right?

For those of us who race a lot, 14 half/full marathons slated for me in 2014 (plus some additional 10Ks), those a la carte fees can really do damage on a wallet.

Also, race prices have gone up in the past few years. In several instances, way way up! I just paid $195 to register for the 2014 Disneyland Half Marathon in August… it was $125 in 2011. And plenty of other races have seen more than just a “cost of living” increase over the last few years.

And while you can certainly save money by registering as early as possible, you still don’t get a “Frequent racer’s” punch card or a “Buy one get one free” promo.

That sucks.

Why can’t someone do an “All-you-can-eat” running buffet?

Can I get backstage?

Well, credit the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series for finally giving the running public a break (especially since the races in their series tend to be on the rather pricey side).

Back in 2012, the Rock ‘n’ Roll series initiated their “TourPass” which allowed you to pay one lump sum ($299 back then) and you could run as many of their races as you could get to. Now the system wasn’t perfect, as they tacked on an additional “Registration fee” for each race you chose.

The program has been successful and the “tweaked” 2014 version is pretty cool with three different levels:

$449 buys their “TourPass Global,” allowing you access to almost every race Rock ‘n’ Roll puts on worldwide (approximately 30 events).

$399 gets you the “TourPass North America” (about 24 events).

And for $199 you can get a “TourPass 3-Pack,” which lets you pick a trio of races anywhere on the continent.

There is still a 1-time “Processing fee” (aka “Squeeze a few extra bucks out of you fee”), but it’s much better than it was in years past (aka “A bit less annoying”).

Now, of course this only covers the race fee and if you plan to be a globetrotter or even a continent-trotter, you can still expect to shell out a small fortune for airfare, hotel, rental car, food, entertainment, souvenirs and all that jazz.

But it’s still a step in the right direction.

Not quite a 6-Pack

And since several of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s races are conveniently located in and around California, it makes good sense (or “cents” if you’re feeling punny) for an LA boy like me.

So, yesterday I “ponied up” for the 3-Pack and plan to use it for the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (June), Los Angeles Rock ‘n’ Roll Half (October) and either the Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Half (Nov.) or Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half (June).

Purchased separately, for any combo of those 3 races I’d be spending around $300- $325 in entrance fees. I’m basically getting a “Buy 2, get 1 free deal” or saving around $100.

Not too shabby.

My advice is to check and see if the 3-Pack or other TourPass options work for you… it did for me (if it does for you, let me know and you can buy me a beer to say “thanks”).

Yup, $100 bucks saved. Feeling pretty financially savvy right about now.

Who am I kidding; I’ll probably just use the money to sign up for another race or blow it on race souvenirs. Damn you Rock ‘n’ Roll… you win again.

Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’m going to drown my sorrows with a Costco soda and hotdog… with a whole lot of sauerkraut.

Run on!

(Let me know if you come across any other good racing deals… and SoCal residents be sure to check out RaceShed.com for good discounts on local races).