The Directors

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper dig into the Super Bowl of distance running—the NYC Marathon. They discuss the controversial disqualification of Matt Choi, chat about the list of the most "tracked" athletes during the race, and explore the explosion of brand activations that happen around the race. They also dive into the economics behind organizing a world major marathon and the impact of the World Marathon Majors series. Give the episode and listen and let us know what you think.

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down with Mandy Mullen, the director of the Run Windsor race series in Windsor, Colorado, and the Colorado Relays. On the episode Mandy shares her journey into race directing, the growth and expansion of her business, and the challenges that come with managing races. She also discusses her motivation for taking over the Colorado Relays and her vision for its future.The conversation highlights the unique aspects of race directing, including the non-financial rewards that come from this profession. It also gets into how new races are born and when it makes sense to retire them. Mandy is an exceptional figure in the race director community, and we hope you’ll take the time to hear her inspiring story.

In this one-on-one episode, Dave and Cooper start things off with a recap the Mt. Baldy 5000. They then discuss several upcoming Trials of Miles events, including the Golden Gate Relay, the Beantown Winter Classic, and the Montclair Doughnut Run, providing insights into what participants can expect. Toward the end of the episode, the conversation shifts to the newly released 2025 Diamond League schedule, where they explore how it aligns with the USATF calendar, the Grand Slam schedule, and emerging upstarts like Athlos.

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down just days after the Athlos NYC meet to share their first impressions of this new contender in the track and field world. They break down the event’s presentation, the impressive production quality, and discuss the excitement surrounding the races and storylines. The conversation also touches on the integration of betting with DraftKings and how the event schedule was crafted. Finally, they explore what the future holds for Athlos, its place in the broader events landscape, and the business model driving this unique event. Tune in and let us know your thoughts!

On this episode of The Directors, Dave and Cooper sit down for a one-on-one chat to dive into the latest happenings in the world of events. They break down the thrilling 1v1 race between Mondo and Warholm, discuss the recent UFC event held at the Sphere, and chat about the announcement of increased prize money at the Diamond League meets. The duo also previews the much-anticipated Athlos Meet in NYC and talk about the recent collab between Red Bull and Prada. Tune in, and let us know what you think!

On this episode of the Directors Dave and Cooper catchup with Brian Mister shortly after he wrapped up his 6th year directing the Around the Crown 10k in Charlotte, NC. During the conversation Brian shares some of the strategies he’s used to get 25% year over year growth, the creative thinking he’s used to bring on brand partners, and how he’s turned this race into a 365-day evergreen event. Brian is one of the best in the business and this conversation is jam packed with valuable information. It's well worth a listen for anyone in the race industry. 

This week on the podcast, Cooper sits down with Sarah Stutman from Life Time to discuss the Sea Otter Classic. Held every April in Monterey, CA, this event is more than just a race—it's a multi-day festival and expo that has become one of the largest gatherings in the cycling world. Tune in to hear the story of how it all began, its growth over the years, and what makes it such a unique and celebrated event.

On this episode of the Directors Dave and Cooper chat with Dipen Shah the mastermind behind Karmarush, one of the leading provider of results and broadcast technologies in the world of track and field. During the conversation they dive into the experience of watching the 2024 Olympics, with a special focus on the coverage of Olympic track and field events. They also get into where track and field stands once the Olympic spotlight fades and discusses the emergence of new leagues and events like Grand Slam Track and Athlos. They also explore what these new leagues need to do to distinguish themselves from the grandeur of the Olympics. This wide-ranging conversation is a must-listen for fans of the sport. We hope you enjoy it!