How To Save Money On Running Shoes, Gear & Races Like A Pro

January 24, 2013

Love to run but can't afford the gear? Here's how to save money on running essentials.

How To Save Money On Running Shoes & Gear – Never Pay Full Price

Save money on running shoes and other gear by committing to shop for sales, otherwise- getting seasonal gear and enough of it, adds up fast!  My favorite places to save money on running gear are the clearance racks of run shops, sporting good stores.  Whenever you go to to a place that sells running gear- go to the sale items FIRST, don’t get lured in by the fancy new items.   Additionally, you can save money on running gear at discount stores like TJ Maxx & Marshalls- two of my favorite places to snag name brands I love, like MPG, Marika, Nike & Brooks for cheap!  The above photo are just some of the items I snagged for 40-70% off retail!

 

Pick Out Races You Want To Run Early

If you want to save money on running, you have to plan ahead.  Every major race has different price tiers based on the proximity to the race date- the earlier you book, the better.  If you need to, make a list of events you’d like to do in the next calendar year and plan ahead.  I use a Pinterest Board for my fitness bucket list of race events I want to attend, I check in as often as possible to see if I can snag a deal in advance.

 

Get On Email Lists For Brands & Races You Like

Getting a slew of marketing emails can be more of a hassle than a blessing- so be very selective on what email lists you subscribe to so you’re not overwhelmed by your inbox.  Subscribing to email newsletters puts you in touch with events before they sell out and helps you snag the best prices and discounts.  This is how I snagged several races at 20% off on 12-12-12 and one of my favorite ways to hear about fast acting deals before they sell out.

 

Way To Save Money On Running Shoes and Half Marathons

Daily Deal Sites Aren’t Just For Restaurants

Many new races need help getting off the ground and are willing to offer steep 40-50% discounts on sites like  Groupon and LivingSocial. Additionally, Active GearUp (a deal service affiliated with the large company that manages many event registrations) also offers steep savings on both gear and on occasion, races.

 

Use Social Media To Snag Exclusive Discounts

Don’t underestimate the power of social media to help you save money on running!  Add any fitness brands, events or products you want to snag a deal with on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram if you have it.  Many times, if an event has a quickie deal, they’ll send it out on social media- or reward their followers coupon codes for races, new products or exclusive fitness freebies.  Additionally, if you interact with a brand or share their posts, they sometimes reward influencers with V.I.P. perks & discounts.

 

Be As Frugal As You Are Fit- Practice Makes Perfect!

Sometimes, I’ve been really surprised on how well these tactics work to save me money on shoes, gear and running races!  When you know what gear you need, what races you really want to do and what gear you need- keep an eye out for brands to send you exclusive deals, coupon codes and perks for social media followers.  Sometimes, by just checking through the tweets of my favorite brands and races, or skimming my Facebook feed, I can save up to 40% or more on running stuff I need, but be careful- it sells out fast!

Additionally, if you can help it, never shop at the front of the store- always head to the back and check out the clearance racks or try a discount store to find items that meet your budget.

Save Money On Running Shoes

 

So, how do you save money on running shoes & apparel?

What’s your favorite way to stay fit and frugal?

15 comments so far.

15 responses to “How To Save Money On Running Shoes, Gear & Races Like A Pro”

  1. I wear the same shoes, and go through at least 4 pair of them per year, so if there’s a sale (there rarely is!) I’ll stock up and buy a couple of pair.

  2. Sai Gonzalez says:

    Love the tips I am already checking out a few races to keep in mind for the future & when registration opens

    • Shannyn says:

      Awesome Sai! Yes, planning ahead will save you money! I know I’ve snagged some serious deals by signing up for newsletters way in advance and they’ll usually send out a coupon code via email or on social media.

  3. Kate says:

    I always ask for fitness gear for my birthday or Christmas!

    • Shannyn says:

      Oh, very good! Ya, that’s one thing I forgot to mention, haha… especially since I got some great wool socks and some long sleeved tees that way!

  4. Lindsay says:

    Marshall’s may be ok for clothing, but don’t buy running shoes there (especially if its your first pair). You want to get good, quality shoes and I’d rather spend some extra money to make sure I’m getting the right shoes for me. If you’re buying your first pair, go to a running store and have them watch you run so they can recommend the right kind of shoe for your foot. Running stores also let you leave the store and go for a quick run in the shoes, and other stores won’t. This is important if you’re switching models or brands.

    Better to get it right than save a few bucks but get injured.

  5. Sarah says:

    I’m going to try some of these tips. I haven’t known there was a fitness only daily deal site!

  6. Elisabeth says:

    I also get a lot of my stuff from TJ Maxx! Love your pink jacket in the picture! 🙂 (fb)

  7. Emily says:

    I’m a yoga-nut and those classes are NOT cheap. I have learned to not be studio-loyal, and I am all about Groupon and LivingSocial for cheap classes. It helps you change up your practice and explore new places as well. ALSO, look at the studios schedule for “free community classes,” I went to one the other night and am still sore, they are totally legit!

  8. judi domino says:

    There is certainly a great deal to learn about this topic.
    I love all the points you’ve made.

  9. If you’re an active blogger, you can save entry fees for races by searching if a race has an ambassador program. Many races offer free or discounted entry in exchange for sharing the race on social media, distributing flyers, etc 🙂

  10. Troy H. says:

    TJ Maxx is always the best option. Though be careful when you go around because there’s a lot of on-sale items that you just don’t really need.

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