Clint McCormick Named 2021 MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year

A committee made up of race directors, athletes, media, corporate executives and club officials has named Glass City Marathon (Toledo, Ohio) Director Clint McCormick the MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year. MYLAPS is the presenting sponsor.

He was honored at a reception at the Road Race Management Race Directors’ Meeting in Hollywood, FL.

Road Race Management President Phil Stewart said in announcing the award: “As road races reawakened from the pandemic starting in the spring of 2021, there was no playbook about what events would look like. Race directors faced a host of new challenges creating events that would ensure runner safety while preserving as much of the runner-experience as possible, while also meeting the demands of municipal officials. Clint McCormick was one of the first to take the plunge employing a host of adaptive innovations ranging from contactless bib assignment to a socially-distanced start, to requiring vaccinations or negative tests for all participants. As race directors of events later in the year watched, Clint was instrumental in establishing a post-COVID-19 model.”

Clint’s nominators said, “The Glass City Marathon was in the forefront of setting the standards of safety and service that many came to adopt in-whole or in-part for their races. Clint was the driving force in developing protocol and policies that not only addressed pandemic concerns, but also tempered registrant frustrations while keeping the local club solvent and runners motivated. Clint’s background in business and finance does not limit his vision to data and numbers. It runs deep into developing a memorable experience for participants, with a keen understanding of affordability and recognition of regional realities. Clint has been integral in developing hometown hospitality alongside layers of perks and local partnerships that have helped make the Glass City Marathon a destination race for people from across the country and around the world. There’s a lot that has gone into making this year’s race possible and successful, and it started with the care and attention to detail in planning ahead of last year’s cancelled race due to COVID-19. How the registrants were treated, their options, and the effect on the club budget made it possible. It cannot be left unsaid that while Clint would be capable of doing most of the things it takes to put on this race by himself, he has built a strong team of dedicated and skilled specialists that carry out his vision. Clint’s team is focused on making sure the participants see it as a worthwhile experience and leave the worries to him and his team.”

The MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year award (presented by MYLAPS) is made annually to recognize and promote excellence in race directing. Nominees were judged on several factors, including overall ability, reputation of race, creativity and organizational ability. For a list of previous recipients, visit http://www.rrm.com/act/rdm/rdypast.asp.

Road Race Management (www.rrm.com) is a member-based organization that publishes a digital newsletter and many other publications designed for race and industry professionals, and conducts a prestigious annual national race directors’ meeting and trade show in Florida. MarathonFoto (www.marathonfoto.com) is the leader in race and endurance sports photography. MYLAPS helps athletes, timers and events to create the ultimate sports experience for participants, followers and sponsors.