Meet Sean Greenhill, The Race Director

2002sean1) What got you into race directing? Are there any particular events that inspired you?

Well, from 1998-2005 I did a hell of a lot of trail racing, including a few US races. Professionally I’d worked as a project manager, but in the second half of 2005 I got glandular fever in a bad enough dose that I had to quit work, and my running never really recovered. But once I was up again, I took a job with the Wilderness Society organising the first WildEndurance fundraising 100km walk in the Blue Mountains. Off doing that, Athletics NSW asked me to organise a NSW Mountain running title, and I sort of enjoyed doing that, so started working into doing it as a career.

I think I have a good knack for linking up different trails and routes into a good course, and it keeps me involved in the running scene now that my competitive days are well and truly over.

310049_439406562815876_1289711588_n2) As a race director, what’s the best and worst thing about your job?

The recce trips to put together a good course are fun. Seeing satisfied people finish is fun. Packing after everyone has left is not so much fun….

3) Of all your events, which one excites you the most?

I think the Buffalo Stampede is a race that will attract 1000 runners in a couple of years, and it’s in my favourite town. It’s a hell of a course. That’s exciting!

The Glow Worm Tunnel Marathon will also probably get close to 1000 competitors this year, which for a country event is pretty bloody exciting.

4) What is the process in setting up an event?

That could take an essay unto itself, but getting the course sorted, and then getting permission for said course, is really only “the end of the beginning”. After that comes the sorting of hire, acquiring staff, making the budget work, and promotional work to get people to actually come! I’m not quite so good at the promotional stuff really…

1518939_10151893390778097_916005976_n5) What happens after the race finishes?

Returning hired equipment, finalising prizes, updating the website, and doing post promotion- writing articles, sourcing photos, social media etc

The post promotion can be quite cool. You usually get good feedback from competitors. There’s a while there where you don’t need to buy a beer….

6) If there was one place you’d love to organise a race, where would it be?

I think I may have found it – the Victorian Alps. The terrain is extreme but the hospitality of the locals is pretty special.

7) We know you love to run yourself. Where’s your favourite place for a jog?

Ideally a quiet single-track with commanding views. The upper Blue Mountains has quite a few of these and I’ve only scratched the surface of such trails in alpine Victoria. It’s hard to think of a better use for such trails than to run on them on a clear day!

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