Running Industry Alliance (RIA) has announced the appointment of Tom Kerry, who is joining RIA as Co-Lead for Event & Mass Participation Members for 2024 onwards.

In a career spanning more than 20 years in the running industry, Tom has over two decades of race management experience at Limelight Sports delivering events such as Nike Run London, The Royal Parks Half Marathon, ASICS London 10K, Hackney Moves Festival, Oxford Half Marathon and the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, and he has been part of race management teams on large scale, city centre events in Australia, the UAE and Egypt.

Tom is Director and Chair of the EHM Legacy CIC, the community arm and founding body of the Ealing Half Marathon, West London 10K and Ealing Mini Mile; and he is one of the original Running Mayors representing the London Borough of Ealing. Furthermore Tom is part of the Mass Participation World Global Council, previously chaired the Mass Sports Organisers Group, and is involved in various consultancy projects anchored to events.

Working in the industry is not the only involvement with running for Tom, he is also a keen runner himself, a regular event participant and volunteer, has completed over 500 parkruns, numerous half marathons and a couple of marathons.

Tom has already been involved with RIA as Co-Host of the Running Industry Alliance Podcast in association with supersonic where he has been talking to events sector members and guests from across the industry.

The newly created role will see Tom working closely with Becs (Co-Lead of RIA) to further grow and develop opportunities for the “events” vertical in RIA which was already one of the fastest growing channels in 2023. Tom will be working with Becs on the #RunItForward legacy with his experience from CIC and community involvement. Tom will also be representing RIA at external event forums, committees, events and networks where appropriate both in the UK and Globally.

Co-Lead Rebecca (Becs) Richardson from RIA said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom to the RIA core team. I have worked with Tom on many occasions over the years, and his background in running, both professionally and personally, places him perfectly to understand and further support event organisers of all sizes across the UK and Ireland. Tom brings with him a wealth of experience and knowledge from the running industry working with various organisations and types of businesses over the years. We are looking forward to working closely with Tom in this newly created role at RIA and for the continual industry advancement of RIA Members and their businesses.”

Tom Kerry commented: “I have been a big supporter of RIA since its launch in 2022, and I am excited to officially be part of the RIA core team. I have a huge passion for running as a sport and as an industry, and I believe that my vast experience will be helpful to RIA and its many members. We will be encouraging further sharing of best practice, finding new ways to collaborate and form partnerships with other members, and amplify our collective voice to influence and help business thrive in this sector.”

Further details about Running Industry Alliance, membership and all other info can be found on this website and the LinkedIn company page.