Meet the Race Director: Mary Anderson

A longtime member of Running USA, Mary Anderson exemplifies the passion and pride that so many of our industry veterans pour into their work. After 2020, she’s also a survivor. Her company revenue was down 80%, and 90% of her 200-plus events were canceled or went virtual. "Last year just about killed me. It was horrible," Anderson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. But she kept on, and as you’ll read below, maintained a positive attitude despite all the challenges. Meet Minnesota’s Mary Anderson.

Years in the industry: 30, last 25 years with Anderson Race Management

What got you into the running industry? I worked at Dayton Hudson Corporation as an accountant and several people that worked there were also on the Board of Directors at Twin Cities Marathon and they recruited me to join when they found out I was a runner. I was so honored and ecstatic to be asked and ended up serving on the BOD for 12 years (the later years as President). I have also served in key volunteer positions for Twin Cities Marathon for 30 years.

Why do you love your job? The people I get to work with, the causes I get to support and celebrate and most of all .. making a difference in people’s lives by helping them achieve their personal run/walk goals or fundraising goals for their causes.

What’s your favorite part of event production? Everything on race day! The planning can sometimes become a burden, but that is what can make race day a masterpiece. I often equate the race director to the conductor of the orchestra. Race day goes from nothing to a beautiful energetic event site and back to zero again in a matter of hours. I love soaking in the energy of the day and celebrating all things that go with that day!

And conversely, what you dread the most about “day of” the event? Rain and wind!

Your go-to fuel up snack or meal on race day? Pre-race Days I love Chinese food when we are in the thick of things and I actually have time to eat. Race days consist of Diet Coke and whatever race food we have on hand. My crew jokes that nobody should ever touch my Diet Coke on race day if they want things to go smoothly ;)

The 3 most essential items in your backpack or event kit? Extra socks (I hate wet feet), pens, clipboard, race notes, and gloves.

Do you have a lucky charm or outfit you wear? Maybe a quote you keep in mind? Comfortable athletic pants, layers of shirts/ jackets, but everything needs to have pockets! My quote is “Carpe Diem” and “Enjoy every moment!” Another one that is my everyday theme: “Love What You Do and You Will Never Work a Day in Your Life!”

If you weren’t doing this work, what would you be doing instead? Accounting at a desk in an office (which I have had to turn to during this COVID time).

What was your top takeaway from the last year and dealing with the pandemic? Try to take each day one day at a time and never give up.

What’s the next race you hope to run yourself?

We have had a few over the past couple months, but also have several scheduled over the next few weeks. Our biggest/most popular event coming up soon is the Maple Grove Half Marathon, 5K and 10K. It’s a great community event organized in conjunction with the Maple Grove Lions and will be the longest distance event since COVID here in the Twin Cities area, so people are excited.

Anything else you'd like to add? I really have thought a lot about what I would do if I didn’t do what I do and there really is nowhere else I would rather be! I love what I do and do it with the utmost passion every day.

Do you know a race director you’d like to introduce to the rest of the industry? Nominate them for a future feature in Race Director Magazine by emailing content@runningusa.org

All Imagery Courtesy of Anderson Race Management