Head Start

13
Running #243

Head Start is a podcast for race directors and anyone involved in the business of putting on races.

It doesn't matter where you're based or how many years experience you have or whether you're putting on a running race, a triathlon, an obstacle race or whatever. If you’ve got an interest in planning, organizing and growing endurance events, this is the podcast for you.

The focus of the podcast is twofold:

1) we bring you the latest and coolest innovations hitting the mass-participation endurance events industry, and

2) we bring you tips and actionable advice from industry experts to help you improve your race - one episode at a time.

Head Start is produced by RaceDirectorsHQ.com, an online resource platform and community network for race directors and race management professionals.

Recent Episodes
  • Seizing the Third Running Boom
    Jun 12, 2025 – 01:07:02
  • Inside the Future of the World Marathon Majors
    May 29, 2025 – 47:29
  • Race Medals
    May 5, 2025 – 01:51:46
  • Community & Inclusivity at the LA Marathon
    Mar 12, 2025 – 54:38
  • Introducing: The Future of Running
    Mar 10, 2025 – 18:41
  • Race Trends 2024
    Feb 19, 2025 – 01:29:32
  • Permits
    Jan 20, 2025 – 01:10:29
  • 2024 Global Runner Survey
    Oct 22, 2024 – 01:31:22
  • Waivers
    Sep 17, 2024 – 01:14:17
  • Course Measurement & Certification
    Jul 17, 2024 – 01:02:36
  • Race Insurance
    Jun 10, 2024 – 01:26:18
  • Crisis Communications
    Apr 22, 2024 – 01:16:22
  • Race Trends 2023
    Mar 5, 2024 – 01:05:52
  • Instagram & Influencer Marketing
    Feb 6, 2024 – 01:21:29
  • Designing a Race Course
    Dec 12, 2023 – 01:14:25
  • Building a Race Series
    Nov 8, 2023 – 01:19:22
  • Spotlight: Hood to Coast
    Oct 16, 2023 – 01:19:55
  • Supporting Female Athletes
    Sep 19, 2023 – 01:36:37
  • Spotlight: Boulderthon
    Aug 23, 2023 – 01:20:55
  • The 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing
    Aug 1, 2023 – 01:40:49
  • Sponsorship Proposals
    Jul 12, 2023 – 01:33:11
  • Race Merchandise
    Jun 26, 2023 – 01:01:47
  • Race Medical Planning
    Jun 12, 2023 – 01:29:41
  • The Business of Trail & Ultra Races
    May 29, 2023 – 01:43:07
  • Mastering Social Media
    May 15, 2023 – 01:31:59
  • Hiccup: Reusable Water Cups
    May 2, 2023 – 59:06
  • Spotlight: SBT GRVL
    Apr 17, 2023 – 01:33:46
  • Race Photos
    Apr 3, 2023 – 01:17:44
  • Engaging Local Media
    Mar 20, 2023 – 01:24:00
  • Building a Race Budget
    Mar 6, 2023 – 01:25:18
  • Race Trends 2022
    Feb 20, 2023 – 01:09:59
  • Spotlight: HYROX
    Feb 6, 2023 – 01:29:08
  • Scaling Up
    Jan 23, 2023 – 01:08:11
  • Cracking Gen Z Runners
    Jan 10, 2023 – 01:27:28
  • 2022 Podcast Highlights
    Dec 26, 2022 – 52:27
  • Spotlight: Around the Crown 10K
    Dec 12, 2022 – 01:49:03
  • [Bonus] Going Solar
    Dec 5, 2022 – 43:37
  • Carbon Neutral Race Production
    Nov 28, 2022 – 01:04:30
  • Designing Actionable Race Surveys
    Nov 14, 2022 – 01:14:09
  • Starting Out as a Race Director
    Oct 31, 2022 – 01:21:36
  • TikTok Marketing
    Oct 17, 2022 – 01:23:03
  • Managing Stress
    Oct 4, 2022 – 01:29:38
  • Finding & Approaching Sponsors
    Sep 19, 2022 – 01:39:42
  • Getting to Zero Waste
    Sep 5, 2022 – 01:05:58
  • 2022 Global Runner Survey
    Aug 22, 2022 – 01:02:14
  • Facebook Ads II: Creatives, Budgeting, Optimization, Retargeting
    Aug 8, 2022 – 01:15:55
  • Facebook Ads I: Strategy, Funnels, Campaigns, Targeting
    Jul 25, 2022 – 01:20:52
  • The Sponsorship Seeker's Mindset
    Jul 11, 2022 – 01:24:59
  • iRewind: Personalized Race Videos
    Jun 27, 2022 – 01:18:51
  • Trademarking Races
    Jun 13, 2022 – 01:27:48
Recent Reviews
  • [ProPhotographer]
    Extremely Informative
    This podcast is extremely informative for anyone. That’s new or has been in the race industry for several years. I have been erased photographer for over a decade now. This podcast hits me to understand so many aspects of the industry which I am able to use in my photography business. The host asked very well thought out questions for each of the guest that are on the show. Intern, each guest is very knowledged about their area of expertise. If you want to learn more about the industry, the show is highly recommended.
  • Kari PM
    Not just for the Big Races…..
    This podcast has so much useful information. The latest episodes, ‘Sponsor Seekers’ and ‘Facebook Ads 1 ad 2’ are jam packed with information ANY size event can use. After listening, I immediately checked out their websites. I gained a ton of great information for FREE at powersponsors.com. The next week, I reached out to Andy Reilly to learn more about how Evergrow could help our race. Although we are smaller than his normal client and the cost of him doing our marketing was not in our budget, he has a consultation package that was perfect for us, to give us guidance and outline the tools we can use on our own to grow. I signed up immediately. I am the race director of a just under 300 participant race in a small town in South Carolina, but we aspire to grow and we pride ourself in giving our sponsors and participants a great race experience. The Head Start podcast, along with the Race Directors HQ emails, blogs, and interactive private Facebook group (Race Directors Hub), has helped us so much. Panos is the BEST. I feel like I know him personally, although we have never met. He is very responsive to email and we have even talked on the phone once (and he is located across the pond!). Anyone who wants to increase their numbers and provide a better experience for their participants, sponsors, and volunteers should listen to this podcast….. and join the Race Directors HQ.
  • snow-gator
    Must listen
    Great and practical advice for race directors and others in the endurance sport industry!
  • Sheetz2Sheetz
    Great practical advice
    As a new RD, I’ve found this podcast to be enormously helpful, whether it’s guiding me through a decision, inspiring me to consider new ideas or helping me adopt best practices. The guests are always knowledgeable, and Panos is an excellent facilitator.
  • Rufus Racing
    Finally a RD podcast!
    I’ve been race directing for 16 years now so to find advanced content gets difficult. I absolutely love the meaty content this podcast offers! FANTASTIC!
  • PoweredByMcAfee
    Really enjoying the content for race directors
    We are a pretty niche group, race directors. I stumbled on this through a Google search and have really enjoyed the first 9 episodes.
  • Bob B;-)
    A great source of information for race directors
    Pianos has built a community of race directors who share best practices. It is a place to learn and contribute.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.