Indeed, the entry fee is not "cheap", but if we think about it, surely each of us spends at least €15.00 a month on things we surely couldn't say where they vanished to.
Preparing such a mass event has its cost sheet. Unfortunately, this year due to the water disaster, there were only 16,000 of us, last year 25,000.
The entry fee is used for organizing the journey, guaranteed free medical assistance, in emergency free transport of the hiker from any part of the trail, preparation of brochures, t-shirts, security service, traffic regulation, additional SŽ services, municipal services, free hot drink in unlimited quantity, maintenance of the path and markers, this year they added new ones and extended the trail, yeah that adds up to quite a bit.
Despite such a large number of participants, there has never been any accident and no one has been left on the trail. Even those individuals who faint from too fervent worship of Martin are not left to themselves. Locals accommodate them overnight and the next day "deliver" them back to Litija.
The event is open and anyone can set off on the journey without paying the entry fee, but everything is still available to them. And that's a big advantage that allows even those who can't afford this expense to still be part of the event. But whoever wants that stamp will pay for it or trick it out.
Personally, I like to pay the entry fee because the money stays at home and I feel they manage it well.
And what could be better than paying homage to nature, the people we meet on this path, tasting home-made goodies, socializing, taking time for ourselves and our loved ones. With such events we preserve our countryside. Why not let them earn something too?