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Endurance Sports
Business News | Brought to you this week by Leslie Jordan Inc., Always Advancing, Mike Plant & Associates, and Club Running magazine. |
Latest News |
Bike Industry Supports IMBA's Public Lands Initiative
CyclingNews.com
Leading companies in the mountain bike industry have pledged over $580,000 to support the International Mountain Bike Association's new Public Lands Initiative to increase bike access across the United States. More
Tough Mudder Series Starts Sunday with 4500 Entries
The New York Times
A year ago, Tough Mudder was a semifinalist in the Harvard Business School's annual Business Plan Contest. A British student named Will Dean thought he could attract 500 people to run a grueling race through mud and man-made obstacles. Professors generally considered the plan too optimistic. But on Sunday, the Brooklyn-based Tough Mudder will conduct a race for 4,500 people. Each has paid up to $100 for the privilege of negotiating a seven-mile obstacle course of muddy hills, cold water and flaming bales of straw at a ski resort near Allentown, PA. More
Pittsburgh Marathon Sees Even Bigger Days Ahead
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon with 16,000 entries for its marathon, half-marathon and relay events in its second year, has plans to continue its growth. Jeff Hennion, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for title sponsor Dick's Sporting Goods, said the ultimate goal is for the event to become one of the five largest marathons in the United States. He said the firm spends more than $1 million annually to sponsor, market, staff and assist the marathon. More |
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St. George Area Pleased with Ironman's Economic Impact
The Spectrum
Tourism officials expect thousands of Ford Ironman St. George participants and spectators to descend on Washington County this weekend, hopefully bringing their wallets with them. Using a projection of about $175 per person, per day, those numbers add up to between $7 million and $10 million for an economy in need of a boost. The tourism office spent $100,000 for a rights fee to host the race, using funds taken from tourism taxes and the state sports commission, and about $75,000 is budgeted to provide services. More
NM County to See Economic Boost from Tour of the Gila
Las Cruces Sun-News
As bicyclists roll into Silver City this week for the SRAM Tour of the Gila, Jack Brennan, race director, said Grant County businesses - from gas stations to supermarkets to restaurants -- can expect an economic shot in the arm. Brennan said while a formal study on the economic impact the race has on the area hasn't been commissioned, a Western New Mexico University student did research the issue a few years ago and found that Grant County sees a $300,000 to $500,000 benefit from the event. More
Cascade Cycling Classic Revamps Stage Lineups for 2010
Bend Bulletin
Organizers of the 2010 Cascade Cycling Classic have retooled Central Oregon's long-running bicycle stage race by swapping a prologue for a road race, while another popular race in the six-stage lineup is headed for a significant makeover. This summer's 31st running of the Bend Memorial Clinic Cascade Cycling Classic is scheduled for July 20-25. Gone is the lengthy road race that typically has opened the CCC in past years. It will be replaced by a quick and fan-friendly prologue, to be staged in Bend's Old Mill District. More
Half Marathon Series Adds Races in Georgia, Pennsylvania
The USRA Half Marathon Series has announced the addition of races in Dalton, GA and Lancaster, PA to its 2010 schedule. The series now includes 16 races. The Dalton Half Marathon will be run on October 16 and the Amish Country Half Marathon will be run in November 6. |
BCBS Signs Sponsorship Deal with Route 66 Marathon
The Tulsa Route 66 Marathon, Inc. announced this week that Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma will be the new presenting sponsor of the Williams Route 66 Marathon, which benefits the Tulsa Area United Way, and all associated events. This sponsorship includes the Williams Route 66 Quarter Marathon in August and the Williams Route 66 Marathon in November. More
Leon's Triathlon Returns After 15-Year Hiatus
All Voices
South Shore Sports Promotions, the sports sales department for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority recently announced that Leon's Triathlon will return to Northwest Indiana in 2010 after a 15-year hiatus. Leon's was formerly one of the largest triathlons in the Chicago area and brought professionals from around the nation. The race will be held on June 6. More
Munice Powerman Selected as Regional Championship
The Star Press
Muncie Multi-Sport has announced that its Powerman Muncie duathlon on October 2 has being selected by USAT Mideast Regional and USA Triathlon as the Mideast Regional Duathlon Championship. This award allows Muncie and Muncie Multi-Sport to apply for the National Duathlon Championships as the host city and host organization for 2013 and 2014 nationals. More
New Triathlons Added to South Florida Schedule
SunSentinel.com
This season's South Florida triathlon schedule received a boost with the addition of two races in Broward County. Multirace.com announced this week it will stage a triathlon and duathlon at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek on June 5, and will reprise the Time Trial Triathlon on August 28 at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines. More |
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Newsmakers
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Bill Scott of Set Up Events has been elected president of the TriUSA Event Directors Association's board of directors. Rick Margiotta of Capital of Texas Triathlon will serve as vice-president/treasurer and Amber Wasendorf of the Peregrine Charities Triathlon will serve as secretary.
Darris Blackford as been hired as race director of for the 2010 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon. A veteran marathoner, Blackford, 46, has a background in media and marketing.
Rick Reilly, an 11-time national sportswriter of the year, author and Boulder, CO native, will be the official starter of the 2010 Bolder Boulder 10K on May 31.
Lesley Roberts, the race director of the Capital City Marathon in Olympia, WA for the past 16 years, has announced that she will leave the role after next month's race. More
Lance Armstrong has become part of the ownership team of Colorado's Honey Stinger, the manufacturer of honey-based nutritional foods.
Larry Merling has been hired by Hincapie Sportswear as its retail sales representative for the brand in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Merling will represent Hincapie for retail cycling apparel and accessory sales to independent bicycle dealers and sell Hincapie custom cycling clothing to clubs and teams in his territory. |
Conferences |
Triathlon race director certification classes in Providence, RI. |
Online Seminars |
(May 6, 2 p.m. eastern)
Learn the differences between cause marketing, sponsorship and strategic philanthropy to maximize revenue from multiple corporate budgets.
(May 18, 1:30 p.m. eastern)
Join Bruce Rayner, founder and Chief Green Officer of Athletes for a Fit Planet, as he presents a practical and cost-effective approach to greening your event. From recycling to carbon neutrality to greening your supply chain, Bruce will share insights and ideas for how you can create a long-term sustainability plan. |
Career Opportunities |
Event Sales
Company: I Am Athlete
I Am Athlete is a revolutionary new registration engine and social networking site for running, triathlon, cycling, swimming and all participatory sports. The company has quickly become recognized as a force in the sporting world and is transforming the relationship between even organizers and their participants. People are referring to I Am Athlete as "groundbreaking" and "the platform race directors and timers have been waiting for." I Am Athlete clients and partners include USA Triathlon, New York City, American Trail Running Association, Livestrong YTS, City of Philadelphia, Universal Sports, XTERRA and many others. We are growing so quickly that we need your help. I Am Athlete is looking for two (2) personable, highly impressive people to manage sales and encourage event organizers to utilize I Am Athlete. This is a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a rising force in the sports industry. Are you reliable and responsible? Do you have telephone sales experience? If so, we need to talk - sooner rather than later.
The following skills are required: experience with telephone sales (fundraising and/or work on a political campaign is a plus); interest in participatory sports; self-driven, highly responsible, extremely reliable, very personable, quick to respond; excellent written and oral communication skills; proficient with popular word processing programs, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word; ability to learn quickly from mistakes; eagerness and excitement to participate. The following experience is not required but elicits bonus points: proficient with Salesforce.com; previous participation in running, triathlon, cycling and/or swimming events; experience as an organizer or volunteer for sporting events; knowledgeable of all major participatory sports websites Resumes should be sent to Jobs@imATHLETE.com.
Course ManagerCompany: Philadelphia Marathon
The course manager will be responsible for all course related operations and logistics for all races of the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend. This position will require regular time in the marathon office upon initiation of contract through November 5, 2010 and on a full time basis thereafter up until the marathon weekend. Post-race the consultant must report to the office regularly until all contractual obligations have been fulfilled. Consultant will work directly with operations staff, report progress and submit all plans to the Operations Director for approval. Duties include creation and execution of course management plan, necessary layout diagrams, production schedules and budgets; direct and manage race day course operations to secure and maintain a safe, accurate, and quality race course; monitoring and reporting on course integrity four-months out to race day; meet and work with city services agencies to discuss and fine tune race day logistics including meetings with police and EMS to provide necessary course security and medical coverage needs; and utilizing existing and forging new relationships with volunteer groups, vendors, consultants, and relevant city agencies. Please submit proposals to Kyle J. Lewis, Operations Director, Philadelphia Marathon, 1515 Arch Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102, kyle.lewis@phila.gov 215-683-2074.
Operations Coordinator Company: Competitor Group
The overall objective of the Operations Coordinator is to lead event operations projects and logistics for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series including: permits, course maps, event diagrams, signage, timelines, equipment rentals, contractor and vendor negotiations, insurance management, etc. The Operations Coordinator will be involved in all races in the series, working/traveling approximately 15 - 20 weekends a year as part of the race week set-up crew. Many events will require travel for up to one week. Various other duties will be included as assigned. This position will closely with all of the Operations Managers, but will report directly to one of the Operations Managers. For more details, or to apply for this position contact jobs@competitorgroup.com
Company: Competitor Group
Lead an operations team for a group of 5-8+ Rock 'n' Roll Marathon series running events, with a focus on course design and implementation. The Operations Manager will guide and oversee all operational aspects of the race, including start line, finish line, band sites, water stations, cheer sites, medical stations, etc. This will include designing all band sites, cheer sites and medical stations which requires a keen sense of direction and understanding of the scope of the event. The position will include high-level coordination and direct interface with city special events offices, police, traffic control, local contractors, vendors and management of staff to aid the successful execution of the event, and as such will require a significant amount of travel, often for up to a week at a time. The position will also require the ability to work in a high-pressure, deadline-oriented environment with the added ability to multi-task. All this must be done in a professional manner with the ability to work well in a team atmosphere. This is a "Hands-on" and "High-energy" position. . This position reports directly to and works closely with the V.P. of Operations. For more details and to apply, contact jobs@competitorgroup.com.
This position will be primarily responsible for coordinating operational and sales efforts related to our various endurance events. Key characteristics that this individual must possess include strong organizational, communication and customer service skills. This individual must have strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Excel. This person must also have an impeccable attention to detail and the ability to work with a team toward common goals. This person must possess the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects. This person should be sports-oriented, demonstrate a desire to learn and grow, and offer ideas and suggestions to streamline processes/events. Past experience within the travel/sports industry is preferred. This position will demand a moderate amount of travel, including some travel over weekends and holidays during events.
RaceIt is an entrepreneurial and fast-growing technology company based in Richmond, VA that is currently looking for Account Executives to help grow our business. RaceIt provides on-line registration solutions for thousands of events and organizations across the country, including the Richmond-Monument Avenue 10K (over 37,000 participants). Candidates must be a self starter, have a strong desire to be successful and prior success with inside sales. Compensation includes salary with commission and benefits. Check out our website at www.raceit.com for more information. Send resume and cover letter to John Cunningham at john@raceit.com. |
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The Endurance Sports Business News is a free, weekly newsletter produced as a service of OSE Productions, Inc. To subscribe additional recepients, please have them click on the Join Our Mailing List button and fill out the required information. To find out about advertising your products or services on the Endurance Sports Business News or other services OSE Productions provides to the endurance sports business community, please visit us at www.oseproductions.com or call Paul Banta at 503-969-4147. | |
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