We’re very pleased to announce that Matthew Smeltzer, founder of Competitive Timing, is the winner of the 2026 Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award! We presented this honor at this week’s Timer Education Summit in Tampa, Florida, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate Matthew’s exceptional contributions to the race timing industry.
A Record-Breaking Year
Matthew has set the bar incredibly high as RunSignup’s top-producing timer. In the past year alone, he timed close to 400 events and scored more than 135,000 finishers. Since founding Competitive Timing in 2010, Matthew has grown his Montana-based company from just 10 races to over 300 events annually that take place across the United States.
“Matthew exemplifies everything this award represents,” said Bob Bickel, Founder and CEO of RunSignup. “He’s not just a timer—he’s an innovator and a valued partner who pushes our industry forward. His commitment to quality, adoption of new technologies, and willingness to provide feedback helps shape products like our RaceDay suite, making him an invaluable member of our timing community. Timers like Matthew are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create exceptional race experiences.”
More Than Just Numbers
What truly sets Matthew apart is the breadth of his expertise and his innovative spirit. His timing portfolio reads like a comprehensive guide to endurance events—road races, trail runs, triathlons, cyclocross, collegiate track and cross country, Nordic ski events, and even treadmill challenges. He manages timing teams nationwide for signature events, including the Missoula Marathon, Seattle Cherry Blossom Run, Montana Women’s Triathlon, and hundreds more.
Matthew’s impact extends far beyond event volume. He pioneered remote timing solutions and was an early innovator in integrating video results with YouTube, allowing finishers to relive their finish line moments. As a valued RunSignup partner, he regularly provides feedback that helps shape products like RaceDay Scoring, RaceJoy, RaceDay CheckIn, and Mobile Timing auto photo capturing. He’s also embraced innovations beyond our platform, contributing to advancements that benefit the entire timing community.
About the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award
We established the Alan Jones Timer of the Year Award in 2019 to recognize race timers who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the endurance industry. The award is named after Alan Jones, a visionary pioneer who made history in 1970 by scoring a race in real-time with a terminal connected to an IBM Mainframe. Jones invented the Jones Counter in 1971, which became the gold standard for course certification, and founded RunScore, premier scoring software that has provided results to more finishers than any other in the industry.
The award recognizes individuals who embody the spirit of precision, service, and innovation, with recipients selected based on nominations highlighting exceptional impact on the race experience.
Matthew joins an impressive list of previous recipients: Marc Roy (Sportstats), Todd Henderlong (T&H Timing), Mary Anderson (Anderson Race Management), Adam Shelton (Start 2 Finish), and Fred Sommer (Sommer Sports). As this year’s recipient, Matthew received a commemorative plaque featuring an authentic Jones Counter, symbolizing the legacy of innovation and excellence in race timing.
Celebrating Excellence
Congratulations, Matthew! Your dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence make you a true leader in the timing community. Thank you for everything you do to elevate the race experience for organizers, participants, and spectators across the country.
To learn more about Competitive Timing, visit www.competitivetiming.com.
