RunSignup announces Alan Jones Timer Award recipient

RunSignup is proud to announce Adam Shelton, a managing partner of Start 2 Finish, is the award recipient of the 2024 Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award. This award recognizes Shelton's exceptional contributions to the endurance race industry and his enduring impact on the race experience for race directors, participants, and spectators alike. 

The Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award, presented by RunSignup, is named after Alan Jones, the trailblazing Founder of RunScore and the inventive mind behind the Jones Counter. Since 1970, Jones has been a pioneer in the endurance community, significantly shaping the industry's trajectory. The award aims to shine a spotlight on the often-underappreciated efforts of race timers, recognizing their pivotal role in the overall race experience.

Alan Jones, expressing his satisfaction with Shelton's recognition, remarked, “I was very pleased to see others also nominate Adam for this year’s award. I’ve collaborated with him over the years and witnessed the impressive number of finishers he scores. Adam consistently pushes the envelope, continually seeking new features for RunScore, showcasing his innovative mindset.”

With two decades of experience in the business, Adam Shelton has steered the successful growth of Start 2 Finish, a premier timing and race management company with offices in Memphis, Charlotte, St. Louis, and Atlanta. In 2023 alone, Start 2 Finish efficiently timed 425 races across all its locations, covering an average radius of 400 miles throughout the entire Southeast region.

The company has achieved remarkable growth, evolving from a handful of events in 2004 to 2023, where, in a single day, they timed/managed/owned 11 events across 4 states, totaling over 32,000 registrants for Thanksgiving morning events. Start 2 Finish now stands out as a prominent player in the industry, overseeing and timing renowned races such as the Little Rock Marathon, Rocket City Marathon, Tar Heel 10 Miler, Charlotte Marathon, City of Oaks Marathon, and Myrtle Beach Marathon. 

Bob Bickel, Founder and CEO of RunSignup, shares, "We introduced the Alan Jones Timer Award to recognize individuals like Adam Shelton, who have made a lasting impact on the endurance race industry. Timers are the unsung heroes, and we're proud to bring awareness to their essential contributions."

RunSignup opened nominations for this year’s timer award, receiving several endorsements supporting Shelton as the recipient. Geneva Lamm, Executive Director of the Little Rock Marathon, shared, “I have worked with Adam for over 20 years, and during that time, he has helped elevate our race results from mediocre to exceptional. Adam distinguishes himself and Start 2 Finish with his dedication to accuracy, responsiveness to participants, and depth of expertise in helping directors like myself make decisions”. Likewise, Rocket City Marathon race directors, Dwayne & Dana DeBardelaben, report Adam’s ability to address even the most complicated race scenarios with ease and a willingness to do what is needed, regardless of the situation—all while consistently projecting positivity to those around him. 

The distinguished list of previous recipients of the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award includes Marc Roy, founder of Sportstats; Todd Henderlong, founder of T&H Timing; and Mary Anderson, founder of Anderson Race Management.

The official presentation of the award is scheduled to take place during RunSignup's 2024 Winter Timer Tour in Charlotte, NC on February 6.