Carly Caulfield Named Race Director of Chevron Houston Marathon

February 24, 2020

Houston native becomes first female to hold position in 48-year history of the marathon

Houston native becomes first female to hold position in 48-year history of the marathon

Houston Marathon Committee (HMC) Executive Director Wade Morehead announced today that General Manager & Managing Director of Operations, Carly Caulfield, will become the fifth Race Director in the 48-year history of the organization effective immediately.  Caulfield replaces Brant Kotch, who served in the role for the past 18 years and will remain President of the Board of Directors, while also serving as Race Director Emeritus.

The Race Director is responsible for overseeing all operational aspects of the hallmark event which features over 300,000 participants, volunteers, and spectators annually.

“Carly and I have worked together for two decades and there is not a more deserving individual for this role,” stated Kotch, who also served as Race Director for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons and 16 U.S. half marathon national championship races during his tenure.  “Her 360-degree knowledge of this event is unmatched, and she has played an integral role in the growth and success of the event as it has evolved into the largest single-day sporting event in Houston and an internationally renowned, gold labeled event.  I am so proud to pass the torch to Carly.”

Caulfield joined the Houston Marathon Committee in October 2000, and since has been responsible for virtually every aspect of customer-facing race operations and management during her nearly 20-year tenure. Among her many accolades, the 38-year old won the Industry Leader Under 40 Award from the National Center for Spectator Sport Safety and Security (NCS4) in 2016, and she now serves on the NCS4 Advisory Committee.  In June 2019, the world running Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) named Caulfield as a founding member of the AIMS Sustainability Commission.

“The only thing that surpasses Carly’s talent level is her pride in the city of Houston and the Houston Marathon Committee.  This, coupled with her passion to provide the best participant experience possible for every runner, makes her the ideal person for this role as we approach our 50th anniversary and beyond,” stated Morehead.  “We are also so fortunate that Brant remains a leader of this organization and can continue to mentor Carly in this role. The organization could not be more thankful for all Brant has accomplished as Race Director, and we are grateful that he will continue to lead as Board President.”

Caulfield, who will also retain the title of General Manager, becomes the first female Race Director in the history of the Houston Marathon which was first conducted in 1972.  While working for the HMC over the past 20 years, the native Houstonian earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston – Downtown and garnered an Executive MBA at the University of Houston’s Bauer College of Business, where she was selected by her peers as the Outstanding Student for her class.

About the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc.:
Established in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) is a founding member of Running USA and annually organizes the nation’s premier winter marathon, half marathon and 5K. Over 300,000 participants, volunteers and spectators make Chevron Houston Marathon Race Day the largest single-day sporting event in Houston. Recognized by World Athletics, the Gold Label Chevron Houston Marathon has been the race site for three U.S. Olympic Trials Marathons and the Gold Label Aramco Houston Half Marathon has held 16 U.S. Half Marathon Championships. For eight consecutive years, the events have garnered Gold Certification from the Council of Responsible Sport and were also awarded the 2015 AIMS Green Award for industry-leading sustainability initiatives. Race weekend generates over $50 million in economic impact for the region annually. In addition to its economic impact, the HMC facilitates social responsibility through its Run for a Reason Charity Program which has raised over $31 million since its inception and the Houston Marathon Foundation, which serves the greater Houston area through support of youth and community organizations that promote access to and participation in running. The event is televised annually with 2016 being the first time the race received national and international syndication airing on ESPN3 and the Longhorn Network.

For more information, visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com.