Her Turn
Women in the Business of Triathlon
USA Triathlon sat down with Marti Greer, the renowned race director for the Buffalo Springs Lake Ironman 70.3, about her involvement in multisport and the evolving roles of women in the business of triathlon.
USA TRIATHLON: You’ve been involved in the sport for a while now. How has women’s involvement in the business side of the sport changed during that time?
MARTI GREER: It is truly remarkable tome how the presence and leadership of women in the sport of triathlon has grown. When I came into the sport 17 years ago, the number of women that competed in the sport was around 17 percent and the number of women in leadership was even fewer.
Now we see women in strategic, influential leadership positions. Women such as Paula Newby-Fraser, who has shifted from an Ironman World Champion to a management position with World Triathlon Corporation, and Diana Birch, the Ironman Kona event director.
Shelley Bramblett also has displayed tremendous leadership in her role as a major event director. In addition, Candy Cheatham and the late JudyAustin have been involved with the USA Triathlon Officiating Program. Candy also served as Council Chair of the USA Triathlon South Midwest Region and is currently a member of the USA Triathlon Board of Directors.
USAT: What is so special about these women?
MG: These women have displayed all of the character traits that elevate a person to the highest degree of excellence within our sport. The traits that stand out the most to me are high ethical standards, honesty, courage, integrity and especially vision and deep passion for triathlon. As I watch the example these women have set forme and others in the sport, I am amazed at what they have accomplished and how it has positively influenced me as an event director in the sport.
USAT: What were the challenges when you started your race series and how are they different today?
MG: That is a really hard question. Our philosophy is to create the most enjoyable event experience possible for the athlete, so I never really thought of anything as a tremendous challenge, just a process I had to work through until I got exactly what I wanted for the athletes. A part of the process that is different today is the social media aspect. It brings on a whole new learning curve in order to give the athletes a great experience prior to, and following, the event.
USAT: Many young women look to role models in sport. What type of foundation has been laid by the female pioneers in our sport and how can women build upon that foundation on the business and leadership side?
MG: A foundation of excellence and integrity is what I feel has been set. Women on the business and leadership sides of the sport are expected to bring that to the table now. There is no doubt that women have won respect. That respect and expectation that they will do a great job will allow women to achieve anything they truly desire and are willing to work for in this sport. I would also like to emphasize that the triathlon world of sport and business offers tremendous opportunities for women. We have the opportunity to be involved in a sport that changes lives. Since the clock stands still when it comes to the ages of our athletes, we influence individuals from 7 to 85 years of age. My goal is to follow the examples set for me and do my best to set the same example.
USAT: What is the most memorable female triathlon performance that you’ve witnessed?
MG: If I had to pick one, it would be Susan Katz, a female handcycle athlete competing in our race in 2009. She was on pace to win the female slot to the Ironman World Championship when she came down the last hill and crashed, falling out of her chair and scraping herself up pretty bad. She refused to stop. She pulled herself back up in the chair and forced herself to continue. The last 3 miles of the run were so difficult and so slow for her. Knowing that she had passed the cut-off time, she still pushed herself and came across the finish line — knees bleeding through her bandages but with victory in her heart. She inspired every one of us watching her.
USAT: What do you view as the most pivotal issue for women in the sport of triathlon right now?
MG: The center of importance in a great number of women’s lives is their family. So when you think about the sport of triathlon and how it becomes your lifestyle, I would think the balancing of time and attention between your family and the business of triathlon is a big issue that needs to be addressed.
USAT: What advice would you give women looking to make it in the sport as an entrepreneur?
MG: Decide what area of the sport you will focus on, learn from mentors that you respect in the business, study leadership and communication skills, and be willing to work hard for what you have a passion to develop.
28 USA TRIATHLON SPRING 2011
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