In NC (North Carolina Triathlon Series), sprints usually run $45-50, olympics $60.

I paid for the USTA last year, but I think I calculated that it would be worth it - and I think it was cheaper last year. The magazine isn't that great, and I'm never going to be ranked so I don't care much about getting the rankings issue. So if I only do a couple of races this year, I probably won't renew my membership.

On a related note, I find it interesting that these races depend heavily on volunteers - but our registration fees go to a for-profit race manager (Set Up Events in this region). I guess the fees would be much higher if they paid the workers - but it seems funny to me sometimes to see these boy scout troops or church groups coming out so early to volunteer - I always wonder if they realize it isn't actually for *charity* as such. I mean, we aren't curing cancer or anything. (Obviously some races are charity fundraisers, but none I've run). I'm happy they are there, helping me out and making the races cheaper, of course.