Lessons from a race director: Patience, sleep deprivation and parking lot poop

Andy Croom Mathews, race director for A1 Ultra Events, now oversees nine trail and ultras, including the Long Haul 100..

By Henry Howard

Like other race directors in this series, Andy Croom Mathews started without any intention of becoming a regular RD. My how that changed.

Croom Mathews, race director for A1 Ultra Events, now oversees nine trail and ultras, including the Long Haul 100. Along his journey he has learned a lot about what many of us ultra runners never see. Like parking lot poop, for an example.

He’s my featured RD this month, as part of my special series highlighting race directors specializing in trail and ultra events who make this sport great. This feature has been so popular that I plan to continue it in 2025. So if you have nominations for other race directors to highlight, feel free to contact me with your suggestions.

Previous installments:

• January: Michele Hartwig of Ornery Mule Racing.

• February: Scott Kummer of Ten Junk Miles.

• March: Kim Levinsky of Sassquad Trail Running.

• April: Aneta Zeppettella of Empower Ultras.

• May: Vanessa Kline of Beast Coast Productions.

• June: Jason Green of Yeti Trail Runners.

• July: Keira Henninger of Keira Henninger Races.

• August: Steve Durbin of Durbin Race Management.

• September: Francesca Conte of Bad to the Bone Races.

• October: Chris McWatters of Tejas Trails.

A1 Ultra Events puts on nine trail and ultras, including the Long Haul 100.

Andy Croom Mathews: A1 Ultra Events race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: “To continue the Croom Fools 50 mile. It was never meant to be more than that, but it kind of blossomed!”

Question: How did you get your start as an RD?

Answer: “Assistant race director at Fools for two years, then took over.”

Question: What's the most interesting thing you've learned about yourself since you became a race director?

Answer: “Patience is the most underrated quality in human beings. We could all use a little more!”

Question: What's your best piece of advice for someone who wants to become a race director?

Answer: “Wanna be an RD? Get used to sleep deprivation, and grow some thick skin!”

Andy Crooms Mathews leads A1 Ultra Events.

Question: What's your favorite race to direct?

Answer: “Long Haul 100; it’s awesome once the gun goes off!”

Question: What's your favorite race to run?

Answer: “Sweat, Swat and Swear is an absolute gas!”

Question: Tell me about a funny experience as an RD and what you learned from it.

Answer: “I got in trouble with the park rangers at the Fools Run one year, because someone pooped in the parking lot. I tried to argue that the volume was too big for a human, it must have been a horse. Then the ranger pointed to the toilet paper lying next to it. He gave me the honor of cleaning it up. What I learned? Order more port-a-potties, or you're gonna end up taking shit from someone!”

Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be … :

Answer: “Geez, they are all great. But I have a soft spot for the Long Play. First, it's one single 33 1.3 mile loop course. It takes the runner all over the Croom Forest, and the weather is usually nice, if not a tad warm.”

Question: What exciting project do you have in the works?

Answer: “I've been kicking around the idea of a 200. The logistics are just daunting.”

Question: Where can runners find out more about your races?

Answer: a1ultraevents.wordpress.com