An anecdote: I went to see my buddy run a 50 miler in the Charlottesville VA area a few weeks ago. I remember being told how great the race was a few years ago - cheap, fun, great afterparty. This year, entry fees were much higher, the post-race spread was more or less nonexistent... signs of nickel-and-diming everywhere.

I suspect that's fairly common now- RD's looking to make a profit through their racing companies.