The first two races of the 2023 Season of the RUNColumbus Race Series are the Fantastic Frigid 5K Series—trail/cross country-style 5Ks at Stratford Ecological Center. Columbus Running Company‘s Heath Gibson serves as the race director.
How did you become a race director? I started working with Columbus Running Company on the retail side back in 2014 and helped out with a number of events here and there during my first few years with CRC. I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to work with Andy Harris and our events team on a full-time basis a few years ago and I haven’t looked back since!
What’s the greatest challenge you face in your role? Finding a way to continually help make each of our events better than the last one.
What’s the greatest reward? Positive feedback from those who have participated in events that we produce or help others to produce.
Besides signing up for your race, how can runners support and encourage race organizers? Taking the time to read through pre-race emails and following directions on race day.
Is there anything else you want people to know? We provide a wide variety of event management services at CRC, from full-service road race event management to timing for middle school and high school track and cross country.