Ironman CEO Andrew Messick Announces Retirement

Andrew Messick has announced he will be retiring in 2023 from his position of president and chief executive officer of the Ironman Group after 12 years leading the company. Messick will remain a stakeholder and member of the Board of Directors following the recruitment and appointment of a new chief executive officer.

“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.”

Messick has been a fixture over the past 12 years at hundreds of events all over the world. He has completed four Ironman triathlons and dozens of Ironman 70.3 events, including the Ironman 70.3 World Championship; has completed all six of the Abbott World Marathon Majors; is an OCC Finisher of UTMB Mont-Blanc; and has competed in cycling events around the world including multiple Haute Route events.

“I did my first Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlons nearly two decades ago, long before I had any affiliation with the organization,” Messick said. “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.”

Messick joined The Ironman Group in 2011 and led the transition of the organization from a triathlon brand to the world’s largest organizer of mass participation events with a portfolio that includes triathlon, running, trail-running, road cycling and mountain biking, while also adding digital training platforms and programs for athletes. Alongside the Ironman and Ironman 70.3 triathlon series now includes 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.

“I am proud of the organization we have built with senior leaders and a global team of dedicated individuals who have been the backbone of our success,” Messick said. “Combined with a supportive long-term focused ownership group in Advance and Orkila Capital and a passionate base of athletes, the company is well positioned for the future.”

Prior to joining The Ironman Group in 2011, Messick served as president of AEG Sports. Prior to that, Messick was senior vice president, international for the NBA where he was responsible for overseeing the NBA’s network of international offices and for leading the NBA’s efforts to globalize.

“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.”