A lot of people today are very conscious when it comes to health issues. We go through weight loss programs to get that six pack abs that we dreamed of or simply improve our overall health. Millions around the globe run on a regular basis to shed off the extra pounds. There are also those who join marathons and travel to destination races to conquer challenges or to help fight for a cause or charity.

Joining destination races involve a lot of planning and also some spending. Here are some useful tips you might want to try so you can stick within your budget:

Early registration

Race organizers often give discounts for those who register early. You can save some money when you sign up early and of course you are assured of a spot before the race hits the maximum number of participants. No matter how small you save, you can definitely use this extra money for your other travel expenses.

Saving does not really mean not joining the events which are most expensive. You need to weigh the pros and cons. You need to look at how fulfilling it will be when you join a certain race and finish it. In the end, it is how you enjoy these runs that matter most.

Travel smart

Research a lot when it comes to choosing your flight. You can check for the hottest deals the different carriers offer. Frequent their website to see if your destination is included in discounted offers. You can also check websites which give you a quick glance of the different options that you have and with which airline you can save most.

You can also check with the race organizer if they are in partnership with any airline or transport organization which can give you cheaper rates. Make sure you book on time since these offers are filled in quickly.

Join a local club or team

Check if you have local groups or organizations which often have provisions to cover part of your travel expenses. They may also have some fundraising and solicitation efforts to push for the campaign of their members.

Share expenses

If you know someone who is joining the same event, you can talk to them if it is possible to do a carpool and share a hotel room. Splitting the bill for these will somehow lighten the cost of the trip. Sharing the ride will also mean lesser carbon emissions.

You can find other participants through friends, local clubs, and online forums. The trip will also be a lot more fun when you travel with people having the same interests.

To bring or to rent a bike

Events like triathlons will require that you have a bike. You have to check with your airlines how much it will cost you if you will ship your bike. Most of the time it might be cheaper to ship your bicycle in advance through couriers like FedEx and UPS.  You can also ask the organizer if there will be bikes that you can rent during the race if bringing your own bike is too expensive for you.

Eat healthy

Most of the time, travelling tempts us to try out all the good dishes and go well beyond our budget. The race weekend can be the worst time to have poor judgement when it comes your diet.  Check if your accommodation will have access to a kitchenette which means you can prepare your own food. Doing this will save you a lot of money and have a better control of your diet.

It will also be helpful if you can plot on your calendar what kind of food you will take during the race weekend. Stick to your diet plan so you can veer away from impulse eating and spending.

Traveling to go to destination races even on a tight budget is possible. Travel smart and follow the tips so you can enjoy the race without burning your bank account.