Running USA Honors Industry Leaders at 2026 Industry Conference presented by haku in St. Louis

February 4, 2026

St. Louis (February 4, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ — Running USA proudly announced the recipients of its prestigious annual awards during the 2026 Industry Conference, presented by haku, held in St. Louis, Missouri. The 22nd conference celebrated the remarkable achievements of individuals who have made lasting contributions to the running industry.

Three industry leaders were inducted into the 22nd class of Running USA’s Hall of Champions. The Hall of Champions recognizes the leaders who have made the sport and business of road running the successful and beloved industry it is today.

The 2026 inductees are:

Jack Fleming: Jack’s leadership at the Boston Athletic Association fundamentally shaped the modern road racing landscape and elevated the standards for event excellence worldwide. Through his stewardship of the Boston Marathon and other BAA events, Fleming helped advance innovations in athlete services, safety, accessibility, and community engagement that influenced how major races are produced across the industry. He has helped position the marathon not only as a world-class competition but also as a powerful civic institution with global reach.

Joe Moreno: Joe is the founder and longtime race director of the Quad Cities Marathon in Moline, Illinois, and a nationally respected leader who has spent nearly three decades building inclusive, runner-first events that have strengthened the sport across the Midwest. Known for visionary course design, hands-on servant leadership, and personal touches like greeting every finisher, Joe’s work has left a lasting impact on both the running community and the broader industry.

Mary Wittenberg: Mary has been a champion of the sport of running for decades, elevating athletes, events, and the industry through her leadership with New York Road Runners, Virgin Sport, Let’s Do This, and her own lifelong commitment to the sport. Through her trailblazing roles as President and CEO of NYRR and founding global CEO of Virgin Sport, she has inspired others to see themselves in leadership and continues to do so with the Running USA LEAD Collective.

In addition to the Hall of Champions inductees, Running USA honored four additional industry leaders:

Legacy Tribute: Susan Hurley’s vision transformed charity fundraising in the running community, creating a lasting model of purpose-driven participation, generosity, and giving. Her impact lives on through CharityTeams, which she founded to empower athletes and endurance events to raise millions of dollars for causes that change lives. She lost her battle with ovarian cancer in late 2025, but Susan will be forever missed in the industry.

Women’s Leadership Award: Linda Maxwell is a visionary leader who has shaped and strengthened the running community in Northeastern Wisconsin for decades, growing iconic events like the Bellin Run and creating impactful programs that empower women, youth, and runners of all backgrounds. Her legacy of mentorship, inclusion, and community-building has inspired countless lives across Wisconsin and beyond.

Award of Excellence: Jackie Hoffman is the driving force behind Peace Runners 773, a Chicago-based run club community that uses movement to build connection, promote inclusion, and improve healthy outcomes. Through his leadership and prompted by personal experience, the group has created a welcoming space where runners of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and empowered both on the roads and beyond them.

Local Award of Excellence: Tom Eckelman is one of the most influential and enduring figures in the St. Louis running community, with decades of service that have shaped the region’s race culture. He served on the St. Louis Track Club board for 40 years, including six years as president, and founded cornerstone events such as the St. Louis Half Marathon (1971), the St. Louis Marathon, and the Frostbite Series (1990), all of which became lasting fixtures in the local running calendar.

“An important function of Running USA is to recognize people who have left a legacy, blazed a trail, made a profound impact and those who, currently, are setting the standard for the future of the running industry. This dynamic group personifies just that. Running USA is proud to acknowledge these individuals,” said Shawn K. Sullivan, Executive Director of Running USA.

The 2026 Industry Conference presented by haku brought together industry professionals, race organizers, sponsors, and vendors from around the globe to collaborate, innovate, and celebrate the achievements of leaders shaping the future of running.

Running USA’s 2027 event, presented by haku, will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the M Resort from Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2027. Watch your email – registration will open Thursday at a special promotional rate for members, available for 48 hours only.

About the Industry Conference

Since its origins as a small gathering of Running USA’s founders in Southern California in 2004, the Running USA Industry Conference presented by haku is the best-attended, most esteemed gathering of running industry professionals from around the world. Moving locations each year, the conference has been held in Los Angeles, San Diego, Savannah, Houston, San Antonio, Denver, New Orleans, Puerto Rico, Las Vegas, Orlando, Louisville, St. Louis and heads back to Las Vegas for the 2027 event.

About Running USA

Running USA is a non-profit that serves as the leading trade organization for the running industry in North America and hosts the nation’s preeminent industry conference annually. Through education, research, best practices and data, Running USA is committed to supporting and facilitating growth, diversification and excitement in running communities everywhere. We promote networking and idea-sharing between event organizers, sponsors, vendors and athletes. Running USA is a member of a global alliance of organizations focused on the betterment of the global running community including the Running Industry Alliance and European Athletics. For more information, visit runningusa.org.