RunSignup reaches 500 years of combined employee experience
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30 January 2025
The honor recognizes Sommer’s 42 years of commitment to innovation, adaptability, and excellence in the endurance sports industry.
RunSignup proudly announces Fred Sommer, founder of Sommer Sports in Clermont, Florida, as the recipient of the 2025 Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award. Presented at RunSignup's Timer Education Summit, this honor recognizes Sommer’s 42 years of commitment to innovation, adaptability, and excellence in the endurance sports industry.
“Fred’s leadership, innovation, and enduring contributions to the timing and endurance event community make him a truly deserving recipient of this award,” said Bob Bickel, founder and CEO of RunSignup. “We are very pleased to recognize someone who has made such a meaningful difference in our industry.”
Fred Sommer’s decades-long dedication and innovative approach have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring both participants and fellow organizers.
A pioneer in triathlon event production and timing, Sommer played a foundational role in growing the sport. His Great Floridian Long Distance Triathlon was once the largest in the world before the rise of Ironman. Over the years, Sommer has continually adapted, expanding his events to include duathlons, night races, and other creative formats that engage a broad spectrum of athletes.
Most recently, Sommer has embraced trail events, partnering with Florida’s park systems to create new outdoor experiences. His steadfast focus on improving the race experience and embracing change has positioned Sommer Sports as a leader in the endurance event space.
RunSignup’s annual Alan Jones Timer Award is intended to recognize an industry race timer who has made a significant impact on improving the race community. The award is named in honor of Alan Jones, who is an acknowledged innovator and is most known for his creation of the Jones Counter and RunScore. As the backbone of the race industry, timers have the opportunity to guide race organizers toward innovation and to elevate the experience for participants and spectators. Selection for the Alan Jones Timer Award is based on nominations received that illustrate a race timer who has shown exceptional efforts to improve the industry.
RunSignup, an employee owned company, is the leading event solution delivering the art of technology to endurance events and nonprofits. More than 30,000 events use our free and open platform to register over 10 million annual participants, raise more than $3 billion and grow their events. Our expertly crafted, open and all-in-one solution powers event revenue generation and supporter engagement through flexible registration, free event websites, free email marketing, integrated fundraising, and a suite of RaceDay Real-Time products. No subscriptions, no plans, no monthly fees.
To find out why customers like the Richmond Marathon, American Cancer Society, Vacation Races, and RaceDay Events use RunSignup, visit www.runsignup.com.
