Mary Wittenberg :Leading and Learning in the Endurance World

We talk to Mary Wittenberg, lifelong runner, current president of EF cycling, former CEO of Virgin Sport’s Virgin Group, and for 17 years she was CEO of NYRR. We talk about Mary’s start in the sport and how she went from a law career to leading the NYRR, her visions for the sport, how she intentionally marketec the pro athlete and advocated for the female athletes, and what her goals and visions are in the cycling space. 0-10-Molly And Ro discuss some recent world records: Letesnebet Gidey’s 14:06! And Peres Jepchirchir’s women’s only 1:05:15 to win the recent World Half Marathon Champs  11-14: what about cycling and running draws Mary in as a fan and participant (although she is a runner for life) 14-18: Notre Dame connections: Mary somewhat of a trailblazer for ND women’s XC team  How her early experiences racing behind Joan and the best lead to realizing the inspiring power of promoting and relating the pros to the other participants 19-first marathon experience was trial by fire of sorts in stacked field  “I think my whole why in life has been to help other people unlock their potential” “It was a big advantage playing sports with men, because  in my career i didnt think twice about saying it straight,and expecting that I should be in the room and at the board room table too because that was the case with sports. It helped me unlock my best, and so in wanting that for others I’ve always appreciated that professional athletes who rise and fall every day and don’t have these straight trajectories, they can be really really inspiring to regular people so I’ve always liked to establish that connection whenever I can” 22-How Mary got to NYRR 30- As an industry we have to keep learning and striving for equality “Athletes are never going to have leverage, they have it late in career but, that’s where leadership comes in at all these companies...it’s hard for young athletes and young people to have leverage” 33-she’s focusing on safety for all riders Why not well covered womens’s fields? Less financial support etc. “It’s overdue” 36: what we can learn from pro cycling in covering endurance events well  44“I don’t think women’s sports are a charity-I think women’s sports are good because they’re great athletic performances and I think these leagues and the like can be great businesses over time-maybe that’s something we learn- don’t treat it like a charity treat it like an entertainment prospect treat it like a business treat it like a movement’ 45-expanding the diversity in cycling 48- what’s it take to be a great cyclist? Part endurance part dare devil (link BelieveIAm worrier vs warrior blog and quiz) 51-Mary’s story: “ We get to keep going and learning. …” @Marywitt @marywruns Great article here on Mary via Thrive