Peter Ciaccia, Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon and President of Events for New York Road Runners, to Retire in 2018

Globally respected event industry leader will hand over reigns as Race Director to NYRR veteran Jim Heim following the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon

New York, May 30, 2018 – Peter Ciaccia, the globally respected Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon and President of Events at New York Road Runners (NYRR), has announced he will retire following the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon on November 4.  Jim Heim, Senior Vice President, Event Development & Production at New York Road Runners and Technical Director of the TCS New York City Marathon, will take over as Race Director upon Ciaccia’s departure, reporting to  Michael Capiraso, President & CEO at NYRR. 

“Over the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of working with some of the most creative, innovative and dedicated individuals in the industry, and for that I will be forever grateful,” said Ciaccia. “Together we deliver first-class events and community initiatives that change lives, and I love every minute of it.”

Ciaccia continued, “But, I am now at an age when the word retirement feels right.  After the marathon I’ll move into the next phase of my life, reconnect with family and friends and travel off to new adventures that I had put on hold. In the months ahead, I will spend each day the only way I know how, working with Michael, George Hirsch, and our fantastic team at New York Road Runners to deliver the world’s best events and a spectacular TCS New York City Marathon in November.”

Ciaccia, who will celebrate his 65th birthday this summer, has been instrumental in the redesign and production of NYRR’s events, from logistics and entertainment to broadcasting and elite athletes, as well as guiding NYRR’s critical relationships with city officials to ensure a consistently safe and secure event experience.  During his tenure, he was responsible for introducing many NYRR innovations, from the marathon’s wave start plan and seeded corral program at weekly races, to the advancement of race day emergency management operations.  Under Ciaccia’s leadership, the number of NYRR race finishers has grown 40%, including the Popular Brooklyn Half, which has become the largest half marathon in the nation, and the TCS New York City Marathon, which has become the largest marathon in the world.

“Simply said, Peter is the best in the business.  His talent and creativity along with his passion for running and events have been critical to delivering our mission at New York Road Runners. He will be greatly missed by us all, and I will miss his partnership and of course being greeted by him at the marathon finish line,” said Capiraso.  “He is responsible for so many of our innovations and advancements, and he has a deep connection with the running community that will be felt for a long time to come.”

Capiraso continued, “We are so fortunate to have Jim in place to step into the role of Race Director when Peter heads out for his new adventures.  Jim has spent the past decade earning the respect of his co-workers, city officials, community leaders and industry colleagues around the world, all with an eye towards bringing a safe and enjoyable experience to runners of all ages and abilities.”

The 41-year-old Heim will take over as Race Director following the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon.  He has been by Ciaccia’s side at NYRR since 2007 and just recently spearheaded the evolution of a landmark new course for the United Airlines NYC Half.  Heim has partnered with Ciaccia on many NYRR logistical innovations over the past decade and has helped guide NYRR’s sustainability, volunteer, medical, and race command initiatives, as well as the opening of NYRR’s state-of-the-art warehouse facility in the Bronx.

“I’m excited to pass the baton of Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon to Jim following the race this fall,” said Ciaccia. “Jim has developed into one of the industry’s most respected figures and a critical member of the running community.  I know he will be a great leader and take the marathon and the organization to even greater heights.”

“These past 11 years I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work side by side with, and learn from, the best Race Director in the business,” said Heim. “Peter’s leadership and enthusiasm has left an indelible mark on us all at New York Road Runners and we will carry it with us well beyond his departure later this year.  I’m humbled and excited to be able to lead the greatest marathon in the world, in the greatest city, with the greatest team.”

Born and raised in the Bronx, Ciaccia has been a key figure at NYRR for nearly 18 years, serving as Chief Production Officer at NYRR and Technical Director of the TCS New York City Marathon prior to becoming Race Director in 2015. He has helped lead NYRR’s mission-focused community impact on New York City through the implementation of NYRR Open Run, a free community-based running and walking program, and a one-of-a-kind free training program for youth wheelchair racing.

Under Ciaccia’s leadership, NYRR has become widely-recognized in the fight against doping in athletics through the organization’s Run Clean initiative and has helped grow the Abbott World Marathon Majors into the preeminent marathon organization on earth.

“Peter is going out on top, like so many of us dream about,” said George Hirsch, Chairman of the Board of Directors at New York Road Runners. “He leaves a legacy that will last a lifetime. His passion for making sure every runner has a safe and positive experience, from the pros to the final finishers, is a big reason why New York Road Runners is the world’s premier community running organization.  And his attention to serving the community, from walks with seniors to runs with kids, is at the core of New York Road Runners’ not-for-profit mission.”

About New York Road Runners (NYRR) 
In 2018, NYRR is celebrating 60 years of helping and inspiring people through running. Since 1958, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization. NYRR’s commitment to New York City’s five boroughs features races, community events, free youth running initiatives and school programs, the NYRR RUNCENTER featuring the New Balance Run Hub, and training resources that provide hundreds of thousands of people each year, from children to seniors, with the motivation, know-how, and opportunity to Run for Life. NYRR’s premier event, and the largest marathon in the world, is the TCS New York City Marathon. Held annually on the first Sunday in November, the race features 50,000 runners, from the world’s top professional athletes to a vast range of competitive, recreational, and charity runners.  To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.