Race Director University Launches Mobile App and Online Platform to Professionalize $2.5 Billion Endurance Industry

January 8, 2026

Industry’s First Mobile Certification App Delivers Training Directly to Race Directors’ Devices

DeKalb, Ill. (January 8, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Race Director University (RDU), the nation’s first certification program for endurance event professionals, has announced its 2026 relaunch featuring an online certification platform, interactive tools, and a new mobile app—creating partnership opportunities for sponsors, timing companies, and industry vendors seeking to connect with the growing community of certified race directors.

The RDU App represents a first for the race management industry, delivering certification coursework, downloadable PDF resources, and professional tools directly to race directors’ mobile devices. For sponsors, the platform offers integrated visibility opportunities reaching event professionals during their certification journey—a captive audience of decision-makers actively investing in their professional development.

The U.S. endurance events industry produces approximately 35,000 road races, triathlons, and multi-sport events annually, representing a $2.5 billion market. RDU’s network of certified professionals provides sponsors and vendors with direct access to decision-makers who plan, organize, and execute these events.

RDU offers tiered sponsorship packages that include brand visibility across the online platform and mobile app, speaking opportunities at virtual and in-person events, and featured placement in the RDU Sponsorship Platform—a proprietary tool that connects certified directors with potential partners.

“Sponsors want to reach race directors where they are—and now that’s on their phones,” said Gregory J. Evans, founder and CEO of Race Director University. “The RDU App puts partner brands in front of event professionals every time they open their certification training. That’s unprecedented access to the people making purchasing decisions for 35,000 events.”

Evans served as Chairman of Long Distance Running for USATF Illinois Association from 1989-2022 and created the first Race Director Conference in the United States, building relationships with timing companies, apparel brands, and race sponsors across three decades in the industry.

The 2026 program includes five progressive certification levels, specialized tracks for cross country and multi-sport events, and RDU Academy—a scholarship-funded program developing the next generation of event professionals. Industry partners can sponsor individual certification levels, provide scholarships, or integrate their products into the curriculum and mobile app.

Sponsorship and partnership inquiries: [racedirectoruniversity.com/partners] (http://racedirectoruniversity.com/partners).

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ABOUT RACE DIRECTOR UNIVERSITY

Race Director University is the first national certification program for race directors in the United States, established in 2012. RDU provides online professional education, certification, and resources for endurance event professionals through its interactive platform and mobile app, connecting a growing network of certified directors with industry sponsors and partners. Learn more at [racedirectoruniversity.com] (http://racedirectoruniversity.com).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gregory J. Evans

Founder & CEO, Race Director University

greg@racedirectoruniversity.com

(630) 327-1619