No checks as in nobody got anything? Or was the purse paid but cut? If the word guaranteed was on the schedule or flyer that is definitely a problem.

I went to a 5K race one time and there was only a handful of cars. Was stinking hot and they scheduled it without thinking about other events close by that same weekend. The owner apologized to us and left us race for 100 percent payout of our entry fees and gave us free ice cream.