holy crap the Pittsburgh marathon is expensive

Frederick 1/2 in May 50 bucks and Bird-in-Hand (lancaster county less than 2,000 runners....) 50.00bucks also....I would pay 80.....Its much larger then the last two I raced....

Yeah, $80 and then the packet pickup is at the convention center, so you'll probably have to pay for parking there and parking the day of the race.  Of course, if you go anywhere else you have to pay for travel, so it's kind of a no win situation.

I registered for next year's marathon on the day it opened and paid only $70.  I did the half a few years ago and could swear I paid around $60.  The $80 price tag does seem high, but it's probably based on demand.  I tried to register for the half last year in April and it was sold out.

From what I understand it is a very popular half with good amenities. But $80.00 is a little pricey. It may have to do with location and if they need to rent facilities. Another GREAT half to look at is the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon. It is a terrific race and, at most, is $60.00. Just a thought.  

Thanks, but that's pretty far for me.  I decided I'll do the Cooks Forest half-marathon again, for $20.  http://www.cookforest.com/marathon/
I lived outside the country for the past 4 years so maybe my ideas about entry fees are a little skewed... but I've done a few tris in the US and have only paid $40-$60.  That seems reasonable and I feel like I'm getting more out of a tri- a marked swim course, people to rescue me if I drown, a transition rack...
I still have a nagging feeling that I'd like to run Pittsburgh someday but I think I'll wait until I'm able to run the full and really train for it. 
But clearly plenty of people feel the entry fee is worth it! 

Pittsburgh did seem to get pricier this year.  After running the Half the last two years, I had to opt out this year and find something a little closer to home, and less expensive...Part of my decision included the 2 nights in a hotel and other travel costs.

I will say though that it is a great race.  It's run really well, and the expo is much nicer than others I have been to.