Abstract
In this study, the authors analyzed the benefits and costs experienced by amateur runners. The aims of this study were: (1) to inform specialized shops that sell products or services for athletes; (2) to inform and help key sports managers to make decisions; and (3) to inform all athletes on the perks and reimbursements they may benefit from in their practice. The study incorporates three categories of costs (equipment, registration, and travel) and four categories of benefits (sponsoring, reimbursement for travel expenses, invitations to competitions, and performance rewards). A questionnaire was administrated to 1132 athletes in France, from the 33 track and field specialties. The authors excluded from this sample all the jumping and throwing specialties in order to focus only on the 584 runners: 145 sprinters (24,83%), 168 middle-distance runners (28,77%), and 271 long-distance runners (46,40%). Results show that some socio-demographic and cultural variables influence the benefits and costs experienced by amateur runners. More scholarly research is needed to better understand the effects of these variables on sports consumption.