Episode 22 – Race Director David Babner Talks about the Effects of COVID-19 on Racing

I first met David Babner back when WALK! Magazine was new. He and John Bingham had just started the Capital City Classic half marathon, and we met to discuss promotion ideas.

David Babner, race director of the Capital City Half marathon and the Emerald City Half marathon, talks abut half marathons and how to walk a half marathon. — At the 2020 First on the First, David poses for photos with race participant Nancy Palma.

A lot of years have passed and now, through M3S Racing, David is race director of the Capital City Half Marathon, Emerald City Half Marathon, First on the First 5K, the Fifth Line, and the OSU 4 Miler among others.

It’s been a long time coming, but I finally had the opportunity to interview him. The main focus was COVID-19 and its effect on races and racing companies.

In this episode we also discuss:

His history as a race director and the start of M3S Sports
How race directors across the state came together to discuss ways to handle the crisis
Converting in-person races to virtual races
Virtual race finish lines and after-race parties
And the future of racing

This episode was recorded prior to the virtual Capital City and Emerald City half marathons, so some of our conversation covers events that have since happened.

Capital City Half marathon medal from the inaugural Capital City Half Marathon. David Babner is the race director. How to walk a half marathon and how to walk a marathon. — My medal from the inaugural Capital City Classic half marathon.

Thanks to Deb Chenault for joining me on this episode and to Nancy Palma for allowing me to use the First on the First photo.

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