The Directors

Iram Leon: Zilker Relays

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with Iram Leon, the race director for the Austin Runners Club, who manages the Zilker Relays, the Decker Challenge, and the Daisy Dash—three of Austin's most iconic events. During the chat, Iram shares how he first got involved in race directing, the unique challenges associated with managing a 1,800-person relay race, and Zilker became cemented as a local tradition. He also talks about what makes the Austin running community so special and what the future of the event world looks like in the city. It's a great conversation. Check it out and give it a listen! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Andrew Onermaa: Doom

What does it take to organize a 400-mile unsupported bikepacking race through some of the most unforgiving terrain in the country? In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Onermaa, the mastermind and race director behind Doom, an epic self-supported bikepacking race through the Ozarks. Andrew takes us behind the scenes of the event's history, the inspiration behind the Doom documentary, and the brutal logistical challenges of managing a multi-day race in such harsh conditions. We also dive into the unique and often difficult business model of hosting unsupported ultra-endurance events. It’s an awesome conversation packed with grit, behind-the-scenes insights, and pure passion for the sport. Tune in and enjoy the ride! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Building (and Rebuilding) GP-81 with Cliff Simanski

In this episode, we sit down with Cliff Simanski, the founder of GP-81, to go behind the scenes of one of the country’s most respected climbing gyms. While the broader industry pivots toward "fitness-center" models and mass-market appeal, Cliff has doubled down on a business built specifically for the dedicated climber. We dive into the history of the gym, the risky but rewarding business model of prioritizing "true" climbers over beginners, and the unique challenges of staying profitable while maintaining a no-frills, high-intensity brand. It’s a candid look at the business of climbing and what it takes to build a community that values the craft of the sport above all else. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Strip is Closed (And No One Is Winning)

Formula 1 promised Las Vegas a billion-dollar windfall, but for the people who actually live and work in the valley, the reality looks more like a six-month traffic jam. In this episode, we chat with Alan Snel, founder of LVSportsbiz.com and a veteran LV sports reporter on why the most logistically challenging event in the world is leaving local residents and small businesses in the dust. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Tim Tollefson: Trail Fest & The Mammoth

On this episode of The Directors, Cooper sits down with professional trail runner and race director Tim Tollefson, who leads Trail Fest and the Mammoth 200. They discuss Tim’s first year managing a 200-mile race—the lessons learned, the logistical challenges, and what it takes to bring an event of that scale to life. The conversation also explores the origins of both Trail Fest and the Mammoth 200, along with broader topics shaping the trail running world, such as how to approach prize money and the trade-offs between staying independent or joining major series like UTMB or Golden Trail. It’s a wide-ranging discussion that any fan of the sport will enjoy. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.