30,000 runners with the Luck o’ the Irish? You’ll find such a sight in the seaside town of Virginia Beach each March. For this edition of our customer salute, we’ll talk with the guy behind the timing of this massive marathon, and learn about his commitment to improvement, as well as his love-hate relationship with B-Tags.
Name: Adam Swansen
Company: J&A Racing
Role: Director of Timing Services
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Can you tell us a little bit about J&A Racing, Inc.?
J&A Racing is a race management company that was founded in 2003 by owners Jerry and Amy Frostick. We’re based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and our mission is to promote and support healthy lifestyles and the sport of running throughout Hampton Roads.
Our flagship event is the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend. It has become one of the most popular events in the country, growing from 3,000 to a record 30,000 participants in 2015. We also manage a variety of other fun, festive and family-oriented events for runners at all stages in life.
How did you personally get started in the industry?
A close friend of mine was putting on a race and I offered to help him. I’ve always been a computer guy so I naturally gravitated toward timing. All aspects of it fascinate me and I’m always excited to learn and do more.
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
Watching runners celebrate their accomplishments. From PRs and BQs to just finishing something that you didn’t think you could do is always inspiring. I feel lucky to be able to share that moment with people every weekend.
What’s your least favorite thing about what you do?
Sticking B-Tags to bibs. You would think after the thousands that I’ve done it wouldn’t bother me anymore, but it’s just so tedious!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a newbie coming into the industry?
Be committed. From small to big races, if you give them everything you have, you’ll be successful and participants will come back to you over and over again.
What’s your favorite race and why?
My favorite is the Anthem Wicked 10k on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. It’s thousands of your closest friends running a 10k, in the most elaborate costumes that you can think of, followed by a huge party on the beach. You can’t beat it!
How long have you worked with ChronoTrack?
We’ve worked with ChronoTrack for a little over three years.
What are the three biggest benefits of working with ChronoTrack?
I would say the three big benefits of working with ChronoTrack are these:
- The level of support is unbeatable.
- The technology is always improving. ChronoTrack is committed to making things better, not just for the timers but the industry as a whole.
- ChronoTrack Live! Love it.
Would you recommend ChronoTrack to others?
Without a doubt. The technology from start to finish is second to none. The team behind the technology aren’t just people, they are friends.
What are your goals for 2015?
I want to learn more, become better organized, focus on quality of service for our clients, and work hard to streamline some processes to always be better!
To learn more about J&A Racing, click here.
To learn more about ChronoTrack, contact us.
