Race Director University aims to become a national leader in educating and certifying race directors through a formal instructional program. Its mission is to increase professionalism in road race management by certifying directors who complete classroom and online courses covering 13 categories like sports science, financial management, and operations. Certification ensures directors have the skills to produce successful events and provides benefits like networking and discounts. The program is designed for new, assistant, and experienced directors seeking to enhance their skills and credentials.

1. RACE DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT FOR
PROFESSIONAL RACE DIRECTORS
Gregory J. Evans, President & CEO
Race Director University, Inc.

2. THE FIRST NATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR RACE DIRECTORS

3. VISION
Race Director University will become a national leader educating and
certifying race directors in the running industry.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Race Director University is to increase professionalism in the
road race management industry by certifying race directors after taking them
through a formal instructional learning environment with established
academic strategies, practical applications, experiential process, continuing
education criteria and e-learning.
LEARN EXPLORE GROW ENRICH ACHIEVE SHARE

4. GOAL
The goal of Race Director University is to elevate the running industry’s
core of race directors, newly hired race directors and prospective race
directors from local, regional, state and national clubs, parks, running
clubs and event and race management services who will enroll in
classroom and online race management instruction.
MEMBERS

5. STAFF DEVELOPMENT
“Talent is everywhere, it only needs an opportunity”.
Kathyrn Switzer, a groundbreaking marathon runner who registered for
the Boston Marathon by signing her name as “K.V. Switzer” because
women were prohibited from running, ran and completed the Boston
Marathon as the first woman to do so in 1976, said in an interview that
“talent is everywhere, it only needs an opportunity.”

6. WHY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR RACE DIRECTORS?
Professional Development insures that staff have met the minimum
skills to produce a successful event.
More importantly, the urgency for all existing event management
and production agencies, among other things, is that the revenue
that these events produce may be at risk because the inherited
logistics and operations handed down from untrained or unschooled
event managers make many communities fearful of continuing with
the same, traditional activities.

7. WHY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR RACE DIRECTORS?
(continued)
These issues with event management will disappear if event
management exhibit leadership by educating their personnel into
professional staff who can plan and produce road race events of
all size.

8. The difference between Race Director University and the other
organizations that schedule annual conferences, seminars and provide
resources for race directors:
 Academic classroom environment for learning, 40 hours
 Extensive curriculum design
 Instructors from Academia, Business, Law, Medicine,
 Finance, Government, Radio/TV
 Required reading before the 1st day of class
 Online e-learning tools, video, quizzes
 Examination for certification, pass/fail.
 Advance training for Race Director Expert, Masters level
 Access to course materials 24/7
 Assistance with events, peer-to-peer review and mentoring

9. 13 CATEGORIES
1. Sports Science & Medicine
2. Financial Management
There are several aspects of both
3. Race Management Staff Training &
Sports Science & Medicine that may
be of concern to the race director: Development
4. Operations & Logistics
An epidemic or outbreak like SARS 5. Law: Business & Sports
that spread from China in 2003, 6. Insurance & Risk Management
Hepatitis A and E-coli transmission
7. Sports Marketing
from humans-to-humans due to
poor health and hygiene inside the 8. Race Premiums
food tent. 9. Communications
10. Community Relations
Basic knowledge about running 11. Equipment
injuries, prevention and treatment.
12. Emergency & Disaster Relief
Medical issues due to hydration,
weight loss, sudden cardiac death 13. Entertainment
on the run, heat related illness, use
of ergogenic aid, before, during and
after a run….

10. SPORTS SCIENCE & MEDICINE
 Sports Medicine, Cardiology, Public Health Issues, Sports
Nutrition, Medical Staff, CPR, First Aid & AED
 Emergency Medical Technicians are usually the first responders to
an accident or incident at sporting events.
 Race Directors should have advance knowledge of issues relating to all
aspects of the human body: fitness, sports exercise physiology,
nutrition, sports injuries and cardio pulmonary resuscitation. This
category begins to explore the challenges for all race management
staff, medical, EMT’s and volunteers who are often the first responders
on the course coming to the aid of a runner. RDU I, II & III.

11. CERTIFICATION
Professional development is acquired
by on the job training, continuing
education and compulsory
examinations. Renewal of licenses
and certifications are insures that the
individual is meeting the minimum
skills. Insurance adjusters and risk
management staff uphold training as
an industry standard for most
professionals.

12. RACE DIRECTOR CERTIFICATION INSURES THAT YOU HAVE
MET THE REQUIREMENTS TO PRODUCE A ROAD RACE
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
 The Certified Race Director is registered as USA Track & Field
Administrator/Member
 Opportunity to go other major races throughout the U.S., to get more
experience
 Discounts on USA Track & Field – Seminars (Illinois Association)
 Mentoring by Professional Race Director Development staff
 Sponsorship Opportunities
 Additional information on Race Director Strategies and Tactics online at RDU
 Networking with other Race Director University – Graduates
 Guest Speakers – reduced fee for additional programs throughout the year

13. WHO ARE THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR RDU?
Director of Special Events
Special Events Coordinator
Sports Coordinator
Race Directors < 5 yrs. of experience
Assistant Race Directors
Race Timers
College Graduates*
Physical Education Teachers
Veterans
Special Event Managers
Parks & Recreation Sports Staff
USA Track & Field Meet Directors
Running Club Presidents
Sport Administrators
Campus Recreation Directors
* Sports management, Physical Education & Recreation Majors & Graduates should
be come certified as a Race Director

14. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE RDU I, II, III & IV ?
Race Director University (Race Director I & II) is designed for the parks
professional. Recommended for the Novice, 0-5 years experience
Race Director Certification insures that the certificate holder has met
the requirements to produce a road race. It is with this distinction that
your race staff will have the tools to succeed and to have support from
RDU in the years to come.
RDU III* – 6-10 years
Curriculum – distributed during class.
RDU IV** – 10 years +
Curriculum guide will be distributed in the fall of 2013
Entry into RDU III & IV requires documentation of experience.

15. THE FIRST NATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
FOR ROAD RACE DIRECTORS
FOR MORE INFO:
INFO@RACEDIRECTORU.COM
WWW.RACEDIRECTORUNIVERSITY.COM