Race Director University Launches RDU Academy: A Leadership Program for the Next Generation of Event Professionals

January 20, 2026

New Youth Program Offers Succession Planning for Race Directors Ready to Pass the Torch—and Real Training for Teenagers Who Want More Than Water Table Duty

DeKalb, Ill. (January 20, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Race Director University (RDU) has announced RDU Academy, a first-of-its-kind leadership development program designed for young people ages 15-18 who want to learn the business of endurance events—not just volunteer at them.

The program targets a specific gap in the industry: succession. Thousands of race directors across the country have built successful events over decades, but many have no plan for what happens next. RDU Academy offers a solution—train the next generation now, starting with the young people already in their lives.

“Your son helps at your 5K every year. Your niece loves race day energy. Your neighbor’s kid is always asking questions about how events work,” said Gregory J. Evans, founder and CEO of Race Director University. “These teenagers don’t want to hold signs or hand out water bottles forever. They want to learn how the whole operation runs. RDU Academy teaches them.”

The program combines online coursework with a two-to-three day live training intensive, scheduled for summer 2026 in the Chicago metropolitan area. Participants learn event operations, sponsorship fundamentals, course design, timing systems, volunteer management, and business principles—the technical knowledge that transforms enthusiasm into expertise.

RDU Academy is explicitly designed as more than youth enrichment. It functions as a succession planning tool for veteran race directors and a leadership development pipeline for the endurance events industry.

“This isn’t summer camp,” Evans said. “These young people will graduate understanding P&L statements, sponsor activation, permit applications, and crisis management. They’ll know more about running an event than most adults who’ve been winging it for years.”

The program accepts applicants ages 15-18 with a genuine interest in sports, business, or entrepreneurship. Race directors, running store owners, coaches, parks and recreation professionals, and event industry veterans are encouraged to identify and enroll candidates from their own networks—children, relatives, employees’ kids, or promising young volunteers who’ve outgrown basic tasks.

Enrollment opens March 2026. Scholarship opportunities are available through RDU’s industry sponsorship program.

Young people considering RDU Academy can test their current knowledge with RDU’s free online assessment before enrolling—a useful benchmark for candidates and the adults recommending them.

Program details: racedirectoruniversity.com – RDU Academy

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 professional education, certification, and resources for endurance event professionals. The 2026 program expansion includes eleven certification tracks, the RDU mobile app, and RDU Academy for emerging professionals. Learn more at racedirectoruniversity.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Gregory J. Evans
Founder & CEO, Race Director University
greg@racedirectoruniversity.com
(630) 327-1619