Andrew Messick retires after 12 years as President and CEO of Ironman

After 12 years in which he helped Ironman become the largest organizer of mass participation events through expansion into road and trail running, road cycling, mountain biking and digital training platforms, Andrew Messick has announced that he will be retiring from his position as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Ironman Group. Messick will remain in his position until a new CEO is named. He will remain a stakeholder and member of Ironman’s Board of Directors.

Ironman milestones during Andrew Messick’s tenure as Ironman President and CEO

“Being the CEO of The Ironman Group has been the professional honor of my life – the most meaningful and purposeful work experience I have had — and I am filled with gratitude for the support of my team members, our partners, and the athlete community over the past 12 years,” said Messick. “I have given all I have to this job and my life has been enriched by the opportunity to build incredible events, meet athlete community members from all over the world, and lead an incredibly dedicated group of colleagues.”

After joining Ironman in 2011, Messick “led the transition of the organization from a triathlon brand to the world’s largest organizer of mass participation events with a compelling portfolio of hundreds of events annually across more than 50 countries in triathlon, running, trail-running, road cycling, and mountain biking, while also adding digital training platforms and programs for athletes,” according to today’s release from Ironman. “Key brands acquired or developed alongside the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlon series include the UTMB World Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, Epic Series of mountain biking events anchored by the Absa Cape Epic, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, and FulGaz virtual cycling digital platform.”

Messick dealt with multiple ownership groups during his tenure with the company, starting with Providence Equity, then Wanda Group and finally Advance and Orkila Capital.

“Andrew and I first bonded 15 years ago over our shared love for Ironman and have worked together since 2011,” said Jesse Du Bey, Managing Partner for Orkila Capital. “It has been amazing to watch the business transform under his leadership. He has been a powerful force in growing The Ironman Group – endurance sport, and particularly triathlon – all over the world. We are all grateful for his service to the sport and look forward to his next chapter as a member of the Board.”

“Our partnership with Andrew and confidence in his leadership were critical to Advance’s decision in March of 2020 to acquire The Ironman Group while an unprecedented and unpredictable pandemic disruption to the live events industry was well underway,” said Janine Shelffo, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Advance. “It is thanks to his steady stewardship that The Ironman Group has emerged from that disruption well poised to capitalize on the tremendous long-term opportunities we see ahead. I am grateful for his dedication and his longstanding commitment to inspiring athletes worldwide.”

Prior to joining Ironman in 2011, Messick served as President of AEG Sports and was involved in the company’s sports properties including the Amgen Tour of California, Bay to Breakers foot race, Euroleague Basketball, and AEG China. Before that Messick was the Senior Vice President, International for the National Basketball Association (NBA) where he was responsible for overseeing the NBA’s network of international offices and for leading the NBA’s efforts to globalize.

“Leaving this leadership role with Ironman is difficult, as my love for this company runs deep,” Messick said. “I did my first Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlons nearly two decades ago, long before I had any affiliation with the organization. What I have learned and seen at the races have been some of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I have always been a true believer in the life-changing nature of our races, our mission, and our brand.”