Michelle La Sala is the Race Director of both the Monterey Bay Half Marathon and the Big Sur International Marathon. She began her career in the running industry in 2005 as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Los Angeles Marathon and now celebrates two decades of experience in mass participation events. Over the years, Michelle has played key roles in major marathons across the country, navigating everything from large-scale event logistics to crisis management and communications.
In recognition of her leadership and contributions to the industry, Michelle received the 2024 Women’s Leadership Award from Running USA and was named the 2024 Emerging Industry Leader by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security. Michelle is a lifelong runner, having competed at the Division I level in college, has completed 35 marathons and is a world marathon majors six star finisher.
Michelle also serves as President of Blistering Pace Race Management, a company that has partnered with the Big Sur Marathon Foundation since 2016. Under her leadership, a dedicated year-round staff of eight oversees a wide range of responsibilities including registration, marketing and communications, sponsorship, and event operations. Together, the Blistering Pace team brings a wealth of experience to every event they support—delivering unforgettable race-day experiences for all participants.
