FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Peter Ciaccia, Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon and
President of Events for New York Road Runners, to Retire in 2018
Globally respected event industry leader will hand over reins as Race
Director to NYRR veteran Jim Heim following the 2018 TCS New York City
Marathon
New York, May 30, 2018 - Peter Ciaccia, the globally respected Race
Director of the TCS New York City Marathon and President of Events at New
York Road Runners (NYRR), has announced he will retire following the 2018
TCS New York City Marathon on November 4. Jim Heim, Senior Vice President,
Event Development & Production at New York Road Runners and Technical
Director of the TCS New York City Marathon, will take over as Race Director
upon Ciaccia's departure, reporting to Michael Capiraso, President & CEO
at NYRR.
"Over the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of working with some of
the most creative, innovative and dedicated individuals in the industry,
and for that I will be forever grateful," said Ciaccia. "Together we
deliver first-class events and community initiatives that change lives, and
I love every minute of it."
Ciaccia continued, "But, I am now at an age when the word retirement feels
right. After the marathon I'll move into the next phase of my life,
reconnect with family and friends and travel off to new adventures that I
had put on hold. In the months ahead, I will spend each day the only way I
know how, working with Michael, George Hirsch, and our fantastic team at
New York Road Runners to deliver the world's best events and a spectacular
TCS New York City Marathon in November."
Ciaccia, who will celebrate his 65th birthday this summer, has been
instrumental in the redesign and production of NYRR's events, from
logistics and entertainment to broadcasting and elite athletes, as well as
guiding NYRR's critical relationships with city officials to ensure a
consistently safe and secure event experience. During his tenure, he was
responsible for introducing many NYRR innovations, from the marathon's wave
start plan and seeded corral program at weekly races, to the advancement of
race day emergency management operations. Under Ciaccia's leadership, the
number of NYRR race finishers has grown 40%, including the Popular Brooklyn
Half, which has become the largest half marathon in the nation, and the TCS
New York City Marathon, which has become the largest marathon in the world.
"Simply said, Peter is the best in the business. His talent and creativity
along with his passion for running and events have been critical to
delivering our mission at New York Road Runners. He will be greatly missed
by us all, and I will miss his partnership and of course being greeted by
him at the marathon finish line," said Capiraso. "He is responsible for so
many of our innovations and advancements, and he has a deep connection with
the running community that will be felt for a long time to come."
Capiraso continued, "We are so fortunate to have Jim in place to step into
the role of Race Director when Peter heads out for his new adventures. Jim
has spent the past decade earning the respect of his co-workers, city
officials, community leaders and industry colleagues around the world, all
with an eye towards bringing a safe and enjoyable experience to runners of
all ages and abilities."
The 41-year-old Heim will take over as Race Director following the 2018 TCS
New York City Marathon. He has been by Ciaccia's side at NYRR since 2007
and just recently spearheaded the evolution of a landmark new course for
the United Airlines NYC Half. Heim has partnered with Ciaccia on many NYRR
logistical innovations over the past decade and has helped guide NYRR's
sustainability, volunteer, medical, and race command initiatives, as well
as the opening of NYRR's state-of-the-art warehouse facility in the Bronx.
"I'm excited to pass the baton of Race Director of the TCS New York City
Marathon to Jim following the race this fall," said Ciaccia. "Jim has
developed into one of the industry's most respected figures and a critical
member of the running community. I know he will be a great leader and take
the marathon and the organization to even greater heights."
"These past 11 years I've had the amazing opportunity to work side by side
with, and learn from, the best Race Director in the business," said Heim.
"Peter's leadership and enthusiasm has left an indelible mark on us all at
New York Road Runners and we will carry it with us well beyond his
departure later this year. I'm humbled and excited to be able to lead the
greatest marathon in the world, in the greatest city, with the greatest
team."
Born and raised in the Bronx, Ciaccia has been a key figure at NYRR for
nearly 18 years, serving as Chief Production Officer at NYRR and Technical
Director of the TCS New York City Marathon prior to becoming Race Director
in 2015. He has helped lead NYRR's mission-focused community impact on New
York City through the implementation of NYRR Open Run, a free
community-based running and walking program, and a one-of-a-kind free
training program for youth wheelchair racing.
Under Ciaccia's leadership, NYRR has become widely-recognized in the fight
against doping in athletics through the organization's Run Clean initiative
and has helped grow the Abbott World Marathon Majors into the preeminent
marathon organization on earth.
"Peter is going out on top, like so many of us dream about," said George
Hirsch, Chairman of the Board of Directors at New York Road Runners. "He
leaves a legacy that will last a lifetime. His passion for making sure
every runner has a safe and positive experience, from the pros to the final
finishers, is a big reason why New York Road Runners is the world's premier
community running organization. And his attention to serving the
community, from walks with seniors to runs with kids, is at the core of New
York Road Runners' not-for-profit mission."
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people
through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local
running club to the world's premier community running organization. NYRR's
commitment to New York City's five boroughs features races, community
events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR
RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that
provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to
seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life.
NYRR's premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New
York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race
features 50,000 runners, from the world's top professional athletes to a
vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners. To learn
more, visit www.nyrr.org.
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