Race Director University Opens Level IV Master Executive Certification — Industry’s First Credential for Producing Legacy Events at the Presidential, Institutional, and Corporate Level

May 1, 2026

Nine-to-twelve-month program builds on The Advanced Race Director's Blueprint released in April; Blueprint purchase credits toward Level IV enrollment, May rate $799

DeKalb, Ill. (May 1, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — Race Director University (racedirectoruniversity.com) has opened nationwide enrollment for Level IV Master Executive Certification, the first professional credential designed for race directors who produce legacy events for presidential libraries, athlete foundations, university milestone celebrations, Hall of Fame inductees, military organizations, and corporate institutions.

Until now, no professional credential existed for the specialized work of producing legacy runs, memorial events, and tribute races at the presidential and institutional level. Foundations, estates, and major institutions commissioning these events have had no industry-recognized standard for evaluating the race directors they engage.

Level IV is a nine-to-twelve-month program covering legacy event design, multi-agency security coordination including federal protocols for events involving public figures, course design and USATF certification for non-standard distances, elite athlete recruitment and prize structures, sponsor acquisition at the seven-figure level, governance and crisis management, and community impact modeling. The curriculum is anchored by The Advanced Race Director’s Blueprint, the 200-page professional guide RDU released in April 2026 and available as a standalone resource at $49.95, or $79.95 in the comprehensive edition.

Level IV is open to experienced race directors with documented professional history producing endurance events, as well as RDU graduates of Level III. The certification process includes a 2,000-word capstone abstract proposing a legacy event of the candidate’s own design and an oral defense before RDU faculty — components designed to demonstrate readiness to produce events at the institutional and presidential level.

“The Blueprint shows you the methodology. Level IV proves you can execute it,” said Gregory J. Evans, M.S. Ed., founder of Race Director University. “Foundations and institutions don’t commission legacy events to amateurs. This is the credential that says you’re ready for the work.”

Evans served as race director for the Park District of Oak Park for 19 years, as Chairman of Long Distance Running for the USATF Illinois Association from 1989 to 2022, and as Regent and Chair of the School of Sports Management at Oglebay Park, West Virginia. He brings more than 30 years of endurance event management experience to RDU’s curriculum.

RDU is offering a May enrollment rate of $799 through May 31, 2026. Standard tuition resumes at $899 on June 1, 2026. Race directors who own The Advanced Race Director’s Blueprint receive credit for their purchase toward Level IV enrollment — $49.95 for the standalone edition, $79.95 for the comprehensive — applicable at either the May or standard rate. Candidates may begin the curriculum immediately upon enrollment, with capstone and oral defense scheduled on a cohort basis. Enrollment is open at racedirectoruniversity.com.

About Race Director University

Race Director University is the first national certification program for race directors in the United States, established in 2012 by Gregory J. Evans, M.S. Ed. RDU offers 11 certification programs ranging from Foundation level through Master Executive, including the Professional Race Director (PRD) Certification, the PERD Certificate for park and recreation professionals, the Certified Volunteer Director (CVD) program, and the RDU Academy for ages 15–18. RDU resources include the Professional Standard / Legal Playbook, the Advanced Race Director’s Blueprint, and 22 Quick Reference Guides covering every aspect of professional race operations.

Media Contact:

Gregory J. Evans

Founder & CEO, Race Director University

greg@racedirectoruniversity.com | 630.327.1619

www.racedirectoruniversity.com

###