RobSimmelkjaer

Rob Simmelkjaer became Chief Executive Officer of New York Road Runners in December 2022. He is a two-time New York City Marathon finisher, and finisher of five marathons overall, a native New Yorker, and experienced sports business executive and government official, with a record of leadership across a range of sports brands and media organizations. He has led NYRR through a period of significant growth, including record-setting membership and revenue and an expansion of the nonprofit’s free community programs. Additionally, Rob has led new sponsorships and partnerships and spearheaded new sustainability initiatives, including NYRR Team for Climate, which has raised more than $1.9 million to offset the carbon emissions of the TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half. With Rob at the helm, New York Road Runners recently launched its first rebrand in 15 years and has expanded storytelling efforts, including the introduction of East 89th Street Productions, which premiered its debut documentary short film "Final Finishers" at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival and won a National Sports Emmy Award. During his tenure, the TCS New York City Marathon has set the world record for the largest marathon—at the time—twice, in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Rob has previously held senior roles at ESPN and NBC Sports and has served as an on-air contributor for ABC News, ESPN, NBC Sports, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, and the Tennis Channel. 

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