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Registration and entry fees: what to look out for

Registration phases, fees, cancellation and transfers: what to check before you click "register".

Registering is quick, but the conditions behind it vary a lot from organiser to organiser. A few minutes of reading beforehand saves trouble later.

Registration phases and status

On StartAtlas, every event page shows the registration status where known, for example "registration open", "opening soon" or "registration closed". The organiser's website is always what counts. Many events have tiered prices: booking early often costs less. Popular races sometimes sell out quickly or allocate places by ballot.

What the entry fee covers

Check what's included and what costs extra:

  • Timing and race number, possibly a rental chip or chip deposit
  • Food and drink on the course and at the finish
  • Finisher medal or shirt (often optional for a surcharge)
  • Day licence or insurance, e.g. in triathlon for participants without an annual licence
  • Fees charged by the registration platform
  • Parking, shuttle or bag transport

On StartAtlas we only show fees that come from the organiser. If no fee is shown, the organiser hasn't published one yet.

Cancellation, transfer and cancelled events

  • Cancellation: Many organisers refund nothing or only part of the fee if you withdraw. Some offer optional cancellation insurance.
  • Transfer: You can often transfer your place to someone else for a fee. Selling race numbers without an official transfer is usually prohibited.
  • Changing distance: Switching to a shorter or longer course is often possible, sometimes only up to a deadline.
  • Cancellation by the organiser: Read what happens if the event is cancelled because of severe weather or official restrictions. The rules are in the terms and conditions.

Entry requirements

  • Minimum age for certain courses
  • Qualification for some long-distance events or ultras
  • Medical certificate for individual events
  • Mandatory kit for trail and ultra runs or brevets, such as lights, an emergency blanket or water containers

Quick check before registering

  • Date and course confirmed by the organiser?
  • Cut-off or time limits realistic for you?
  • Total price including extras clear?
  • Cancellation and transfer conditions read?
  • Travel and accommodation sorted?

Save interesting events to your watchlist so you can compare them at your leisure.

More guides

Guide · Running Planning your first marathon From choosing the right race to race day: what matters when preparing for your first 42.195 kilometres. Guide · Triathlon Triathlon distances explained From the beginner sprint to the long distance: which courses exist and which one suits you. Guide · Cycling What is a brevet? Long distance without racing: how brevets work, which distances exist and how to approach your first 200 km.