Marcus Grunewald directing the 2011 White Rock Marathon
The Dallas White Rock Marathon board of directors last week announced a noteworthy organizational change, promoting its race director to executive director and outsourcing the management of race logistics to a firm called Event Southwest.
In his new role, Grunewald, a White Rock area resident, will supervise all administrative aspects of the event, a spokesperson says, “including, but not limited to, race staff, event hospitality, elite runner activities, promotional and advertising materials, website and database management and coordination of the Health & Fitness Expo.”
Says marathon board of directors chair Kevin Snyder, “Marcus Grunewald has been instrumental to our race’s success for many years. He possesses an unparalleled passion, knowledge and appreciation for the Dallas running community; we’re very pleased to expand Marcus’ role with our race, and are excited for what his leadership as executive director will bring to this marathon’s future.”
Event Southwest is owned and operated by former Racing Systems (Run On!) race director, Lear Johnson, and Michael Luchsinger, owner of Apple Event Services. They will manage race-course planning, measuring and sanctioning and race-day operations
“As this marathon continues to grow and grow, I can’t think of anyone more apt to oversee race operations than Johnson and Luchsinger,” Grunewald says. “The changes our organization is making today will be evident in the enhanced runner experience come December.”
This could be a step in the direction of making the White Rock Marathon more economically impactful, both for the city of Dallas and for the charity it benefits, Scottish Rite.
Visit runtherock.com for more information. Registration begins in June and the marathon is Dec. 9.
