What racedirectorshq does

Race Directors HQ, operated by ECR Sport Ltd, is a web-based SaaS platform serving endurance race directors and event organizers in the running events vertical. The platform provides three core tools - Budget Builder for creating and tracking event budgets, Race Calendar Wizard for distributing race listings across multiple race calendars, and Sponsor Finder for accessing a database of direct-application sponsorship opportunities - alongside a vendor directory that connects race directors with service providers such as timers, photographers, and medal suppliers. A content library of articles, podcasts, checklists, and templates, plus an 8,000-9,000+ member Facebook community called Race Directors Hub, supports the core tools and serves as the primary community-led acquisition channel.

The company runs a freemium go-to-market model: the core tools and basic business listings are free, while monetization comes from a stack of paid offerings. Premium vendor business listings sell at $299/year, press release distribution packages range from $99 to $399 (packaged across newsletter, website, and Facebook group reach), paid membership plans unlock enhanced features and exclusive vendor deals, and a referral partnership with Nicholas Hill Group distributes event liability and participant accident insurance at $0.25+ per participant. Marketing is multi-channel - editorial content, podcasts, social media, paid search, and a 7,000+ subscriber newsletter with a reported 50%+ open rate - and is anchored on community-led word of mouth within the race director Facebook group.

Race Directors HQ is registered in England and Wales as ECR Sport Ltd (company no. 09689917) with offices at 20-22 Wenlock Road, London. The company appears to be bootstrapped with no institutional investment disclosed, founder/small-team operated, and serves a global audience via its self-serve web platform while remaining focused on the SMB race director and vendor segments.

Name

racedirectorshq

Legal name

ECR Sport Ltd

Website

https://racedirectorshq.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Race Directors HQ is a web-based SaaS platform providing budgeting, calendar promotion, sponsor discovery, and vendor directory tools for endurance race directors, monetizing through premium listings, press release distribution, memberships, and an insurance referral partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Race Management Software

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities (711320)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Participation Race Organizers (Runs, Triathlons, Cycling) (MPAKADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Race management software
• Endurance event planning
• Race director tools
• Vendor directory services
• Race sponsorship platform

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Vendor Business Listings: Premium business listings for race vendors (timers, photographers, etc.) at $299/year, with basic free listings available. Includes quote request forms, priority visibility, and video galleries.
2. Press Release Distribution: Press release distribution packages across website, newsletter (7,000+ subscribers), and Facebook group (9,000+ members). Packages: Starter $99, Regular Publisher $249 (5 releases), Frequent Publisher $399 (10 releases).
3. Event Insurance Referrals: Referral partnership with Nicholas Hill Group for event liability and participant accident insurance. Insurance rates from $0.25 per participant (subject to $275 policy minimum).
4. Membership Plans: Premium membership plans offering enhanced tools and features for race directors, with free tier available for basic access

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Race Directors HQ provides a SaaS platform with purpose-built tools (Budget Builder, Race Calendar Wizard, Sponsor Finder) that help race directors create race budgets, promote events across multiple race calendars, and access a database of direct-application sponsorship opportunities. It complements these tools with a vendor directory, an extensive resource library of articles, podcasts, templates and checklists, and paid services including Business Listings, Press Release distribution, and Event Insurance referrals for endurance race organizers.

Product overview

Race Directors HQ is a SaaS platform providing race directors with a suite of purpose-built tools, resources, and vendor services to help them plan, promote, and grow running events. The core offering consists of three main tools: Budget Builder for creating and tracking race budgets, Race Calendar Wizard for submitting race listings to popular calendars, and Sponsor Finder for accessing a database of direct-application sponsorship opportunities. The platform also includes a Vendor Directory for finding trusted service providers, downloadable Documents & Templates including checklists, and a Membership subscription for enhanced access to tools and exclusive vendor deals. Additional services include Event Insurance (offered through Nicholas Hill Group), Press Release distribution, and Business Listings for vendors. The platform serves over 4,000 races and maintains an 8,000+ member community on Facebook.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Budget Builder: Tool for building full race budgets
• Race Calendar Wizard
• Sponsor Finder
• Race Directors Hub
• Race Timing Hub
• RD Marketplace

Products and services

• Budget Builder

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by more than 4,000 races
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nicholas Hill GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive insurance partnership providing event liability and participant accident insurance for Race Directors HQ members. Insurance underwritten by Accredited Surety and Casualty Company (Rated: A- Excellent). Covers general liability, damage to venue premises, participant accident medical, and legal liability to participants/staff/volunteers.
• RunSignupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended online race registration platform with features for custom websites, bib assignment, fundraising modules, and group registration. Provides direct bank account payouts for participant fees.
• BibRaveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerService connecting races with bloggers and social media influencers for grassroots marketing and race promotion.
• ECR Sport LtdcoreOthersParent company registered in England & Wales (reg. no. 09689917) operating RaceDirectorsHQ.com from offices at 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU, UK.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RunSignup: Largest US online race registration platform serving the same endurance race director persona with timing, registration, and event management tooling. Already a recommended partner of Race Directors HQ, indicating direct overlap in serving the race director workflow.
• Haku: Race management platform built specifically for endurance events, providing registration, results, and event operations software to race directors — overlapping directly with the race director tooling category Race Directors HQ addresses.
• Race Roster: Canadian-headquartered race registration and event management platform serving endurance race directors with registration, fundraising, and event marketing features comparable to those offered by Race Directors HQ's directory and tools.
• BibRave: Race marketing platform connecting events with bloggers and influencers for grassroots promotion — directly comparable to Race Directors HQ's promotion tools and an existing GTM partner of the company.
• Athlinks: Endurance athlete database and race results platform serving runners and race directors with event discovery and athlete profiles — overlapping with Race Directors HQ's role in connecting participants with endurance events.
• ChronoTrack Systems: Provider of RFID-based race timing systems and event management software to race directors and timers — a vendor category listed in Race Directors HQ's directory and therefore a comparable platform serving the same customer base.

Broad incumbents

• Eventbrite: Large-scale general event ticketing and management platform that, while not endurance-specialized, overlaps with race directors' need for online registration, ticketing, and attendee management — represents broader competitive pressure from a well-capitalized incumbent.
• ACTIVE Network: Established endurance and activity registration platform (active.com) that serves race directors and participants with registration, marketing, and timing services — a broad incumbent in the same end market.

Emerging players

• Run The Day: Race calendar and discovery platform aggregating endurance events for runners — comparable in scope to Race Directors HQ's Race Calendar Wizard tool and addressing the same race promotion use case.
• MarathonFoto: Race photography service and vendor that is a typical paying customer of Race Directors HQ's vendor directory; represents the ecosystem of race vendors the platform monetizes through listings and press release distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/racedirectorshq
• Facebookfacebook.com/racedirectorshq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/racedirectorshq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about racedirectorshq