Consumers who identify themselves as having less power in relation to other individuals in a given social situation tend to engage in some form of compensatory consumption to eliminate aversive feelings (RUCKER; GALINSKY, 2008). Based on the literature evidence that a low-power psychological state increases the desire to acquire status-related products, this study aims to verify how status-related consumption experiences, such as winning a running event, may be a form of compensatory consumption for low-power individuals. In addition, it is expected that this compensatory effect should be more intense for high prestige running events when compared to low prestige events. Three studies were conducted measuring the states of high and low-power by episodic manipulation and by social class according to the Critério Brasil (ABEP), and the allocation of resources by hours of training. Study 1, with 304 runners, tests the hypothesis of compensation for low-power individuals. Study 2, with 247 runners, refines Study 1, using the level of training of amateur runners as a control variable, in line with the PCM model. Study 3, with 312 runners, tests the compensatory process for both high and low prestige events. The results obtained suggest that the experience of winning might not necessarily be a form of compensatory consumption. Nevertheless, runners in a state of high power demonstrated a greater allocation of resources than those in a low state of power. Therefore, future research is needed to investigate the motivations of individuals in a state of high power. As a contribution, this study offers a new perspective on the phenomenon of running events through the influence of states of power.