Marine Corps Marathon Race Director Rick Nealis received the Portland Marathon's Event Director of the Year Award as part of Event Director College, October 4-6. The annual award is presented based on the criteria of a logistically sound and quality event, the organizational accuracy of the event and the reputation of the director's abilities among his peers on a sustained basis. Past winners include Julian Smith, Director of the Cooper River Bridge Run and Wally Castner, Director of Big Sur. "Rick is an outstanding event director," said Les Smith, Event Director for the Portland Marathon. "His hard work and diligence have brought forward an absolutely outstanding event, high in quality and organization, which sets it apart."

Rick Nealis has served as the Race Director for the Marine Corps Marathon since 1993. Under his leadership, the event, currently the fourth largest marathon in the US, has established itself as one of the best-organized marathons in the world. Runners from all walks of life have participated in the largest marathon to not offer prize money, deservingly earning the nickname "The People's Marathon."

Prior to the Marine Corps Marathon, Nealis served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from Villanova University and holds a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Golden State University and a Master of Science in Human Organizational Services from Villanova University

A runner himself, Nealis has completed five marathons and boasts a PR of 3:09:50 from the 1983 Marine Corps Marathon.

Marine Corps Marathon web site