Race Announcer

Triathlon, Marathon, 10k/5k

Now in his 22nd year with endurance sports…

Michael has announced some of the industry’s largest events from coast to coast. Michael had traveled for years with the “Life Time Tri Series” which included the most prominent Triathlon events, as well as the world’s best professional competitors. In 2021, Michael announced his 18th “Life Time Chicago Triathlon”, the world’s largest with nearly 10,000 athletes. In the Fall, Michael announces at the “Bank of America Chicago Marathon”, one of the “Marathon Majors”, and a world class event with 45,000 runners. Additionally, Michael announces annually at numerous 5k /10k/ Charitable events that provide valuable opportunities for 1,000’s of athletes ranging all the way from 5 to 85 years young!

Michael ensures the professional image and success of the event from the moment the very first participants arrive. Logistics and instructions are communicated effectively to inform, as well as direct, the crowd.

As they begin the course, participants feel the drama and the energy that Michael creates. At the same time, Michael’s friendly banter with the athletes and their fans provide a calming sense to those that may be dealing with the nerves associated to their first competition.

Listen as Michael announces these endurance events…

Lifetime Chicago Triathlon.  That’s Michael’s sending off the nearly 10,000 athletes at the swim start, and then welcoming them back as they cross the finish line.   

The Chicago Triathlon…

After 4 hours at the Start line sending off the entire group, Michael then transitions to the Finish Line to welcome them all back. With the right tools in place, Michael can acknowledge, by their FULL name, 100’s or even 1,000’s of participants as they approach the finish line. For those participants that may be struggling to finish, Michael’s announcing rallies the crowd behind the runner until they cross the line… in many cases, with a huge smile on their face.

Having Michael at the finish line will ensure that everyone finishes with a well deserved sense of pride for their accomplishment.

The Chicago Triathlon….

After 4 hours at the Start line sending off the entire group, Michael then transitions to the Finish Line to welcome them all back. With the right tools in place, Michael can acknowledge, by their FULL name, 100’s or even 1,000’s of participants as they approach the finish line. For those participants that may be struggling to finish, Michael’s announcing rallies the crowd behind the runner until they cross the line… in many cases, with a huge smile on their face.

Having Michael at the finish line will ensure that everyone finishes with a well deserved sense of pride for their accomplishment.

In the Fall, Michael announces at the “Bank of America Chicago Marathon”, a world class event with 45,000 runners. In past years, you’d find Michael at the 22.7 mile mark’s “Nike Motivational Zone”, Michael’s task was to keep the energy level sky high, and to engage with the runners for over 7 hours as they passed this critical point in the 26.2 mile event. Along with pumping music and 300+ spectators cheering, Michael’s personalized approach delivered the extra “lift” that 1,000’s of runners needed to carry them to the finish. In 2013, Michael brought that same energy to both the Start Line and the “Final Mile” cheer zone..

In the Fall, Michael announces at the “Bank of America Chicago Marathon”, a world class event with 45,000 runners. In past years, you’d find Michael at the 22.7 mile mark’s “Nike Motivational Zone”, Michael’s task was to keep the energy level sky high, and to engage with the runners for over 7 hours as they passed this critical point in the 26.2 mile event. Along with pumping music and 300+ spectators cheering, Michael’s personalized approach delivered the extra “lift” that 1,000’s of runners needed to carry them to the finish. In 2013, Michael brought that same energy to both the Start Line and the “Final Mile” cheer zone.

A multitude of 5k / 10k / Charitable events…

Always with a watchful eye on the complete event, Michael can be counted upon to deliver timely Sponsor Recognition throughout the course of the day.  While never forgetting that the nature of the event is both competition and fun, Michael’s announcing keeps the excitement alive from the start of registration, to the presentation of the final awards. 

A multitude of 5k / 10k / Charitable events…

Always with a watchful eye on the complete event, Michael can be counted upon to deliver timely Sponsor Recognition throughout the course of the day.  While never forgetting that the nature of the event is both competition and fun, Michael’s announcing keeps the excitement alive from the start of registration, to the presentation of the final awards.

It may surprise some just how much the adult competitors appreciate Michael’s personalized approach. What does not surprise anyone, however, is just how critical this is for the impressionable youngsters that begin participating as early as age 7.


In each of his 22 years with the “Mc Donald’s Kids Triathlon”, and the “Fleet Feet Sport’s Supersprint”, it’s obvious that Michael makes it a personal challenge to call out as many names as humanly possible. Michael understands that such a positive experience is equally as important to the well-being of the youngster, as it is to the sport itself.

It may surprise some just how much the adult competitors appreciate Michael’s personalized approach. What does not surprise anyone, however, is just how critical this is for the impressionable youngsters that begin participating as early as age 7.

In each of his 22 years with the “Mc Donald’s Kids Triathlon”, and the “Fleet Feet Sport’s Supersprint”, it’s obvious that Michael makes it a personal challenge to call out as many names as humanly possible. Michael understands that such a positive experience is equally as important to the well-being of the youngster, as it is to the sport itself.

Together for 22 years!  The Team led by Dave Kappas.

Together for 22 years!  The Team led by Dave Kappas.

This is how it all began…

In 1997, Michael was just two years into his work as a Ring Announcer, while also announcing for a pro-beach volleyball tour.  One of the top players on tour, Myron Markewycz, hired Michael to emcee the greatest Chicago Bulls playoff parties in the city.  They were about to get underway at the restaurant he managed, the one and only, “Michael Jordan’s”.  After that successful playoff run, Michael was brought back to emcee their “Fastbreak” celebration that included basketball competitions, athlete appearances, and of course a 5k run.  Having now announced his first ever running event, Michael went on that following year to begin announcing at the Chicago Triathlon, as well as many other endurance events.

Lifetime Chicago Triathlon.  As the sun rises, Michael and Todd give prerace instructions to the athletes at swim start.  

Lifetime Chicago Triathlon.  As the sun rises, Michael and Todd give prerace instructions to the athletes at swim start.