2024 Alan Jones Timer Award Winner
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. He has demonstrated an enduring impact on the race experience for race directors, participants, and spectators alike.
About Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award
RunSignup created the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award in 2019 to recognize the often overlooked efforts of timers and showcase individual race timers who demonstrate exceptional efforts and have a significant impact on the endurance race industry.
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.
Our Founder, Bob Bickel, 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.”
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
Mary Anderson, founder of Anderson Race Management.
We formally announced the award with Adam during RunSignup’s Winter Timer Tour in Charlotte:
About Adam Shelton: Award Recipient
With two decades of experience in the business, Adam Shelton has steered the successful growth of Start 2 Finish. The company is a premier timing and race management company with offices in Memphis, Charlotte, St. Louis, and Atlanta. In 2023 alone, Start 2 Finish timed 425 races throughout the entire Southeast region.
The company has achieved remarkable growth beginning with a handful of events in 2004. Start 2 Finish now stands out as a prominent player in the industry. The company oversees 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.
As this year’s award recipient, Adam receives this commemorative award that showcases an actual Jones Counter.
Nomination Comments
RunSignup opened nominations for this year’s timer award, receiving several endorsements for Adam.
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.”
In addition, Geneva Lamm, Executive Director of the Little Rock Marathon, provides a positive endorsement. He shares, “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.
About Start 2 Finish, LLC
Start 2 Finish, LLC is a full-service event management company that specializes in creating and executing memorable active events for clients. With 20 years of experience and offices in Memphis, Charlotte, St. Louis, and Atlanta, Start 2 Finish serves the entire Southeast region, timing numerous races annually and providing comprehensive services to the endurance race community.
A big congratulations to you, Adam!