.png)
Meet Your Florida Race Directors
Part 2: Amy Mathews of A1 Ultra Events
Races include: Long Haul 100, Long Play 33 1/3, Withlacoochie Trail Marathon, Colt 45
Give us a brief introduction of
your running history:
I was an overweight single mom of three kids. I started running 5Ks and 10Ks in 2010 for a work-related weight loss competition. The goal was to be the “biggest loser”. I lost 63 lbs and was crowned the winner! Eventually I worked my way up to half marathons and
joined a run club. I met Andy in 2011 at a local pub run and he introduced me to
ultrarunning. I ran my first 50K in 2013 (Croom Fools Run).
1. Becoming a race director - What is the story behind A1 Ultra Events. What was
the first race you put on and why.
A1 Ultra Events began in 2018 when Andy and I were given the opportunity to purchase the Long Haul 100. Our first race was the Withlacoochee Moon River Run. It was a night half marathon, 10K & 5K in April. We wanted to start with shorter distances to test the waters! Our next race was Sweat Swat n Swear, which added a 50K to our experience. That led to the Long Haul 100 in January, 2019.
2. What role did you play in the beginning and how has it grown since?
I guess my role was logistics – and it still is! The first 24 years of my “real job” as a band
director provided me with organizational and leadership skills. The last 10 years
as a virtual music teacher has provided me with computer & technology skills.
Paired with the fact that I am a control freak, who is “always right” – race
directing came pretty easily! My years of being a band director combined with
Andy’s experience as a race director, ultrarunner and course designer has
helped us become an amazing team! I handle everything behind the scenes and
Andy designs the courses and is “the face of the race”.
3. Explain the different roles you and Andy are responsible for when hosting a race.
As I previously mentioned – I do most of the behind the scenes, organizational
things. I send the race emails, post on social media, organize the volunteers,
complete the permits, etc. Andy designs and marks the course and handles all of
the face to face interactions. Together, we plan/order aid station supplies,
load/unload the trailer and aid station bins and pass out awards.
4. You host everything from 5ks to 100 mile races, what challenges or unique
opportunities, does a shorter race offer that a longer race doesn’t.
The best thing about the 5K races is that we are finished and heading home before 11am!! Seriously, the shorter races are the gateway distances. They introduce runners to
the trails and give them a little taste of what they could be doing. They also
appeal to younger and older runners and people who are new to the sport.
5. Have you been able to witness and follow athletes who began in your sub ultra
races move up in distance over the years? What has that been like?
Absolutely! It is super cool to know that we have provided runners with the opportunity to
keep challenging themselves. Running is empowering. Seeing someone achieve
their personal goals is kind of hard to put into words.
6. Long Haul is the only Western States qualifier in Florida, how important was it for
A1 Ultra Events to get that qualifying spot. What were some of the challenges leading up to and keeping that race a qualifier?
Becoming a Western States Qualifier was extremely important to us. We basically bought the Long Haul 100 with that as our only goal. The biggest challenge was figuring out how we could take a race that had approximately 15-20 finishers (in the 100M distance) each year to a race with 100+ finishers in one year! I won’t say how we did it because we quite enjoy being the only one!! The next challenge was keeping 100+ finishers! I’d like to think we have been able to achieve that goal year after year because we put on quality events and we genuinely care about every runner, crew member,
spectator and volunteer who participate in an A1 Ultra Events race.
7. What do you want runners to experience when they come to an A1 Ultras event?
We want runners to feel like they matter. We want them to feel supported and
proud of themselves for toeing the start line.
8. What do you think makes an A1 Ultra Events race different from other Florida
ultras?
That’s a tough question. I don’t know. I know a lot of awesome race
directors who put on amazing events. I guess it’s the fact that no one else has
“The A-Team”!
9. Florida has its own unique challenges when it comes to putting on an ultra. What
are some of the things about Florida's terrain, weather, or environment that you actually enjoy working with?
I don’t mind the heat! I also feel like our races are located on some of the best trails in Florida, so the terrain is fun. Additionally, most of our courses are “Jeep friendly”, so I get to do a lot of off-road driving!
10. What is something about putting on an ultramarathon that you don't think runners fully understand until they've been on the other side of the race?
Getting volunteers. Organizing and ordering enough supplies for aid stations and how
you’re going to get everything and the volunteers out on the course. How to
rescue an injured or lost runner. All the pre-race planning. Getting permits and
insurance. I could go on and on!!
11. What's the hardest part of being a race director for you?
PARKING. Planning for parking, enforcing the parking rules, getting volunteers to help park cars, etc. A close second is that I am an introvert and would rather stay behind the scenes. I am also not a hugger, but as an RD, you have to hug a lot of people.
12. What's been the most unexpected problem you've had to solve at a race?
Something that seemed to want to derail the race, yet you prevailed.
People taking down course markers while the race was in progress. Thankfully, many of
our runners follow the GPX files and didn’t get too far off trail. Some of the
runners called us and we were able to get out there and remark it.
13. What are some lessons you’ve learned from the most challenging races you’ve
put on?
I can’t control everything. Something isn’t going to go as planned. However, it’s going to be okay.
14. What is the most rewarding part of being an RD? Is there a particular moment
with a runner that has stuck with you?
Knowing that I was able to provide an experience (hopefully positive) for someone that they may not have been able to get at any other time. Witnessing a time PR or a distance PR on a course that Andy and I designed is pretty darn cool. At the LH100, we hear all kinds of stories – the runner finishing 100 miles after having a stroke. The runner who is running to honor their child who passed away. The runner who had their leg
amputated and runs with a blade. The runner who lost 100 lbs and then ran
100M. The runner who gave it everything they had, but had to drop at mile 97.
15. What gets you most excited about putting on a race?
The finish line. Seeing runners crossing over the timing mat is such a rush!
16. You've had a chance to see a lot of Florida's ultrarunning community from the RD side. What do you think makes Florida ultrarunners unique?
More often than not, we build each other up and support each other and we want each other to succeed. Florida ultrarunners are also gracious.
17. If you could create your dream ultra anywhere in Florida, with no restrictions on
permits, distance, terrain, or logistics, what would it look like?
Honestly, I feel like I’ve already done it. Our races are pretty darn fantastic. Plus, even if I had a “dream ultra”, I wouldn’t say it out loud, because Florida doesn’t need any more
ultras! Just look at the flippin’ race calendar.
18 What moment from a race (that you ran or race directed) has had the most significant impact on you?
The most significant moment from a race I ran was in 2015, as I crossed the finish line of the Long Play 33.3. After seeing “Say Yes” signs for the last mile of the race, I finally understood those signs were meant for me. As I approached the finish line, I saw Andy kneeling with a ring box in his hand! Obviously, I said Yes!
19. What's one thing you always have with you on race day that might surprise people?
Anyone who knows me even a little won’t be surprised, but I always
have DPZ! (Dr. Pepper Zero)
20. After everything you've learned as an RD, what's one piece of advice you'd give yourself when you were first getting started?
Be careful when you meet Andy at that 5K pub run…he’s going to suck you into the ultrarunning world, and you will be at a race almost every weekend between January and August for the rest of your life.
21 Who are you outside of running and race directing?
I grew up in Port St Lucie and attended college in NC. I’ve been a music teacher for 34 years. I taught HS Marching Band, Jazz Band & Concert Band and MS Band & Chorus for 24 years. Currently, I am in my 10th year as the virtual music instructor (MS & HS Guitar & music appreciation) for Pasco eSchool. I enjoy traveling and I love the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! I didn’t start running until I was 39 – so most of my life was spent in the band room, on the practice field, and raising my three kids.
22. You’ve gotten back into running after a hiatus, what races are you looking
forward to?
I actually don’t have any races on my schedule. But, I’m hoping to go back to Portugal next summer, with Harvey and Kelly Lewis (RunQuest), and I want to be able to run during all the different adventures while we’re there!
23. What advice would you give runners who have had to take a long break to get
back into running and ultrarunning?
It sucks. Don’t do it! Seriously, I’d say don’t listen to that little voice in your head. “You used to run for hours and now you can’t run a minute” can really get depressing. Keep reminding yourself that even running for a few minutes is a gift. Listen to your physical therapist and do all the exercises! Set small, achievable goals.
24. BONUS just for fun - If you could take over as a race director at any race
worldwide, which race and why, and what would you do differently (if anything)?
I still work a full-time job – I don’t have the time or energy to take over another
race. Plus, I wouldn’t dare put anything like that in writing! Remember, from
question #2 – I am a control freak and I’m “always right”, so there are many races
I would do differently if I was the race director. But I’m not - and you can’t trick
me into saying what I really think!
To learn more about Amy (and Andy's) races, follow A1 Ultra Events on socials!
