Road Race Management has named Susan Harmeling, Director of the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic and Hops Marathon by Tampa Bay, as its 2002 MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year. Harmeling accepted the award at the 20th Annual Road Race Management Race Directors' Meeting and Trade Show in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, November 16th. The award is presented by Running Times magazine.

Described by Bill Rodgers as "the Gold Medal of race directing," the award is determined by a vote of a diverse ten-member committee comprised of race directors, media, sponsors, and elite athletes.

Susan Harmeling's accomplishments include presiding over Gasparilla's transition from a prize money event to one without prize money while maintaining the race's reputation for quality and service to the community, increasing participation in the 5K, and growing the Junior Gasparilla race from 100 children to more than 2,000.

When the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association decided to launch a marathon, a daunting task, the challenge wasn't as difficult because Susan had laid such a solid foundation with Gasparilla. Sponsors were standing in line to become a part of another winning tradition, many of which had been with Gasparilla since its inception.

One of her nominators said, "Susan is passionate about her relationships with sponsors, runners, and suppliers. She treats everyone with great respect. One promotion she created gives a runner a free entry to the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic if they buy at least $65 of Nike products at any Sports Authority Store (another long-time sponsor). Last year 1,183 took advantage of the offer. One of the most amazing relationships Susan has built is with the City of Tampa, another sponsor. Not only are fees waived and free police protection provided, but the City also allows their employees to 'volunteer' on important committees, including the Operations Team."

The other finalists for the award, in addition to Harmeling, were Rafael Acosta (World's Best 10K, Carolina, Puerto Rico), and Kirby Nicol (Wharf to Wharf, Capitola, CA).

The MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year award 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. Previous recipients have been: Steve Bosley (Bolder Boulder), Julia Emmons (Peachtree Road Race), Ed Froehlich (Quad-City Times Bix 7), Chuck Galford (Cascade Run Off), Jon Hughes (Disney Marathon), Fred Lebow (New York City Marathon), Dave McGillivray (Boston Marathon), Jeanette Parke (Gasparilla Distance Classic), Carey Pinkowski (LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon), Earle Reed (Utica Boilermaker), Bill Reef (Bolder Boulder), Steve Shostrom (Steamboat Classic), George Regan (Freihofer's Run for Women), Allan Steinfeld (New York City Marathon), and Harold and Louise Tinsley (Rocket City Marathon).

Presented in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Susan Harmeling (center), Director of the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic and the Hops Marathon by Tampa Bay, receives the 2002 MarathonFoto/Road Race Management Race Director of the Year Award from Carol Lasseter Rice, publisher of Running Times Magazine, and Jim Davis, President of MarathonFoto.

Photo courtesy of MarathonFoto.

Road Race Management publishes a newsletter and comprehensive Directory for race and industry professionals and conducts a prestigious annual national race director meeting and trade show in Ft. Lauderdale, FL each November. MarathonFoto is the world's largest race photography company.