The IRONMAN Group Promotes Keats McGonigal to Managing Director of North America

August 8, 2024

- In his new role, McGonigal will oversee and grow all aspects of the North America business unit for The IRONMAN Group, including 55+ events - Joining The IRONMAN Group in 2007 as an intern, McGonigal has steadily progressed up through the company serving most recently as Vice President, Operations for North America

TAMPA, Fla. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The IRONMAN Group is pleased to announce Keats McGonigal has been promoted to Senior Vice President & Managing Director, North America. Starting as an intern with the company and steadily progressing to more complex and diverse leadership roles during his tenure, McGonigal brings a significant wealth of experience and knowledge to the position through his 16 years with The IRONMAN Group. McGonigal also brings passion and perspective for the sport as an IRONMAN^® Certified Coach and avid age group athlete with multiple IRONMAN finishes, including the IRONMAN World Championship^® triathlon, and most recently the 2022 IRONMAN California and 2023 IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene triathlons.

In this new role, McGonigal will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the North America business unit for The IRONMAN Group, leading the more than 75 full-time employees for the region. The North American business unit is one of The IRONMAN Group’s largest with more than 55 annual events across multiple sporting disciplines. McGonigal and his team will be responsible for the performance of triathlon and running events through the IRONMAN^®, IRONMAN^® 70.3^®, Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, and UTMB^® World Series brands and events in the region.

“Keats has demonstrated tremendous leadership over his tenure with The IRONMAN Group, and with his vision, experience, and commitment to our athlete community, I have full confidence in his ability to lead and grow our North America business,” said Scott DeRue, Chief Executive Officer for The IRONMAN Group. “For over 46 years, North America has been a thriving and vital region for The IRONMAN Group, and with Keats at the helm, our North America team is well positioned to extend our leadership and be a source of innovation and inspiration for mass participation sports around the world.”

McGonigal joined The IRONMAN Group in 2007 as an intern working onsite at the IRONMAN Coeur d’Alene event near his hometown of Spokane, Wash. He would soon move into the role of race director, and after becoming a full-time employee for The IRONMAN Group in 2009, McGonigal steadily progressed, taking on further responsibilities and more complex and diverse leadership roles within the North America region. From Senior Race Director, Regional Director and his most recent post as Vice President of Operations for North America, McGonigal has been critical to the overall growth and operations excellence within the North American portfolio.

Parlaying his passion for racing and producing events, McGonigal will continue a focus on improving the athlete experience.

Athletes racing at IRONMAN events across North America have already experienced improvements McGonigal and team have been working on – everything from elevated race-weekend events to new and improved swag. Some race weekend improvements include Roka practice swims, Hoka shake out runs, dine around program, and photo ops night at the finish line. Pre-Race Improvements have included new and improved swag including a high-quality long sleeve finishers shirt, improved backpacks, and bike course profiles stickers. Expo improvements will include extended hours for athlete check-in, signing walls, and first timer walk throughs. Race day improvements have included Hyperice warm-up area, spectator cheer zones and a bell for first timer on the finish line.

Athlete’s interested in registering for North American race experience can visit here for IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 events and here for Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series events.

For more information on the IRONMAN brand and global event series, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group. Media related inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

Those seeking career opportunities at IRONMAN can visit here.

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About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra™ by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance 

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.