RunSignup Announces Matthew Smeltzer as 2026 Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award Recipient

January 30, 2026

Recognizing industry leadership, innovation, and record-breaking production of nearly 400 events

Moorestown, NJ (January 30, 2026) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – RunSignup, the leading registration and technology provider for endurance events in the United States, is proud to announce that Matthew Smeltzer, founder of Competitive Timing, has been named the 2026 Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award recipient. The honor was presented at this week’s RunSignup’s Timer Education Summit in Tampa, Florida, where Smeltzer was recognized for his exceptional contributions to the race timing industry.

Matthew Smeltzer is RunSignup’s top-producing timer, having timed close to 400 events and scoring more than 135,000 finishers in the past year alone. Since founding Competitive Timing in 2010, Smeltzer has grown his Montana-based company from 10 races to over 300 events annually located across the United States, establishing himself as a pioneering force in the industry.

“Matthew exemplifies everything this award represents,” said Bob Bickel, Founder and CEO of RunSignup. “He’s not just a timer—he’s an innovator and a valued partner who pushes our industry forward. His commitment to quality, adoption of new technologies, and willingness to provide feedback helps shape products like our RaceDay suite, making him an invaluable member of our timing community. Timers like Matthew are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create exceptional race experiences.”

Smeltzer’s expertise spans virtually every event format imaginable—from road races and trail runs to triathlons, cyclocross, collegiate track and cross country, Nordic ski events, and even treadmill challenges. He manages timing teams nationwide and delivers high-quality experiences for signature events, including the Missoula Marathon, Seattle Cherry Blossom Run, Montana Women’s Triathlon, and hundreds more.

Smeltzer’s impact extends far beyond event volume. He pioneered remote timing solutions and early video results integration with YouTube. As a valued RunSignup partner, he regularly provides feedback that helps shape products like RaceDay Scoring, RaceJoy, RaceDay CheckIn, and Mobile Timing auto photo capturing, while embracing innovations beyond the platform—contributing to advancements that benefit the entire timing community.

About the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award

RunSignup established the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award in 2019 to recognize race timers who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the endurance industry. Named after Alan Jones, a visionary pioneer who made history in 1970 by scoring a race in real-time with a terminal connected to an IBM Mainframe, the award honors his legacy of innovation. Jones invented the Jones Counter in 1971, which became the gold standard for course certification, and founded RunScore, premier scoring software that has provided results to more finishers than any other in the industry.

The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of precision, service, and innovation, with recipients selected based on nominations highlighting exceptional impact on the race experience.

Previous recipients of the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award include Marc Roy, founder of Sportstats; Todd Henderlong, founder of T&H Timing; Mary Anderson, founder of Anderson Race Management; Adam Shelton of Start 2 Finish; and Fred Sommer of Sommer Sports.

As this year’s recipient, Smeltzer received a commemorative plaque featuring an authentic Jones Counter, symbolizing the legacy of innovation and excellence in race timing.

About Competitive Timing

Founded in 2010 by Matthew Smeltzer, Competitive Timing is a full-service race timing company based in Montana that serves events across the United States. The company specializes in providing innovative timing solutions, remote timing services, and comprehensive race management for events ranging from small community races to major marathons and triathlons. For more information, visit www.competitivetiming.com.

About RunSignup

RunSignup, an employee-owned company, is the leading event solution delivering the art of technology to endurance events and nonprofits. More than 39,000 events use our free and open platform to register over 12 million annual participants, raise more than $3 billion and grow their events. Our expertly crafted, open and all-in-one solution powers event revenue generation and supporter engagement through flexible registration, free event websites, free email marketing, integrated fundraising, and a suite of RaceDay Real-Time products. No subscriptions, no plans, no monthly fees.

To find out why customers like the Richmond Marathon, American Cancer Society, and RaceDay Events use RunSignup, visit www.runsignup.com.