By Mike Walsh, The Berkshire Eagle, July 18, 2025
Brian Berkel may be in his first season as race director of The Josh Billings RunAground, but he’s calling 2025 “A big return to tradition.”
“Camp Mah-Kee-Nac was a fantastic host. There were just some logistic issues,” said The Josh’s new director. “So, we’re so grateful that Tanglewood has invited us back.”
Berkel, who retired four years ago as a detective lieutenant with the Massachusetts State Police, was brought on as race director in January and has spent the last six months both getting up to speed and getting The Josh back on track.
“The final stretch will be right there at the main gate, that’s the finish for runners,” he said in a recent interview at The Eagle. “Kids race will be right there in the West Lot. Bash and awards ceremony right there in the East Lot. Parking is abundant, greater access in and out for everybody, easier for family and friends to come. This worked out wonderfully. That is the biggest change.”
The Josh has spent the past few years finishing at Mah-Kee-Nac, but for the bulk of its soon-to-be-48-year history, the finishing archway was at Tanglewood in Lenox. On Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, that’s where runners will return to after completing their portion of the course from the Stockbridge Bowl hand-off from paddlers.
Other important changes: The race will start earlier, with an 8:30 a.m. gun time for cyclists from the start line in Great Barrington. Per Berkel, that will save them some time on the back end with the awards ceremony and getting everyone out of Tanglewood safely in time for other events.
Berkel said that he, new president Chris Calvert and The Josh committee have heard from participants from 2024 and all the way back to some of the event’s founding fathers. Former director Abby Chaput stepped down following last fall’s event after two years leading The Josh. Prior to that, Patty Spector was director for 21 years.
“The ceremony is going to be well-done,” Berkel promised, acknowledging some of the complaints that stemmed from last year. “I’ve heard loud and clear. Recommendations have been heard. Live band, lots of food, some masseuses, Andy Huh has GetHuht, a mobile sauna. He’s a local entrepreneur also bringing cold dips. We’ve got the awards thing down, podium, we’ll keep it moving smoothly.”
The Housy Shakers will provide live music at the post-race bash, and finishing categories have been streamlined down to 33 divisions. The Josh will also debut some new ceramic mugs in a slightly different style, which Berkel was bullish on. Mugs will be presented in different sizes for first, second and third place finishers. In another return to tradition, the race will be timed by Platt Systems Timing, which had previously served as its timer from at least 1996 through 2022. The 2023 Josh Billings RunAground was canceled due to weather.
The Josh is the oldest continuously run-bike-paddle triathlon in the country, and with the 48th RunAground now less than two months away, and the 50th on the horizon, that return to tradition was important to all involved.
“We want to realign everything so that 50 is a real celebration,” Berkel said, pointing to the committee’s first appearance in Pittsfield’s Fourth of July Parade. “We want to draw attention back to the event. We’ll be appearing at some different road races and bike events, clinics will begin soon. Paddle clinic is Aug. 6. Cycling and running clinics will be after that.”
Berkel grew up in the Berkshires and spent most of his career here. Since retirement, he’s split time between a series of part-time gigs and working with various non-profits from the suicide prevention coalition to Berkshire HorseWorks to the Lions Club. In fact, it was at one of those volunteer spots that he heard about The Josh opening.
“It’s been in my orbit, but a co-worker at one of my part-time jobs is on the committee and mentioned they were looking for a new director,” Berkel said. “I thought it was a good opportunity to throw my hat in the ring, see how I could help out.”
Berkel is a former marathoner and remembers volunteering at the boat ramp in the 1980s and watching The Josh cyclists go by his childhood home. He said his understanding of the athletes training and professional background made him a good candidate.
“My background in law enforcement, supervising and operational things I’ve had to put together,” he noted. “Safety is our No. 1 priority, always, it’s a major factor, but I’ve also got a lot of non-profit experience.”
The Josh remains a 501c3 organization and continues its relationship with the Berkshire United Way.
“I felt like it would be a good challenge. It’s been fun. There’s a lot of folks on the committee with a lot of institutional knowledge, some new folks with new ideas, it’s a good generational mix,” Berkel said. “Good advice where I need it. Been in touch with some founding fathers, spoken with them, gotten a better sense of where it all started. People are passionate about this race. There are a lot of opinions, recommendations, I’m taking it all in.”
For now, the push is on to gather registrations, sponsors and volunteers, and just generally get the word out that The Josh is coming. T-shirts recognizing sponsors and donors, for instance, will go to the printers in mid-August. And training for competitors is, of course, ongoing.
“I have a sense of what goes into the training and the logistics of getting it started and finished,” Berkel said. “I know the anxiety, anticipation, fun, stress, I recognize all of it. I want to get word out early. September comes, and suddenly you see it, ‘I want to do that next year,’ because you’re not prepared.
“You’ve got your faithfuls, come back every year, but others who have always heard about it, wanted to try it.”
The that idea, he said The Josh committee is pushing a new initiative with some new partners.
“We recognize that there are kids in this county who might not have much of an opportunity to get out of Pittsfield, don’t have access to equipment like a kayak or a race-worthy bike. We’ve asked these organizations to identify any kids who might be interested in forming a team, and we’ll help match them up with equipment,” said Berkel. “Hoping to help bridge that access. We want to build a future participation base.
“One of the great things about The Josh is that you’re outdoors, experiencing these back roads, the lake, Tanglewood, all these fantastic cultural and natural beauty locations. The sense of community, those who come out to support it, we want to broaden the spectrum of those who can participate.”
Berkel said the website JoshBillings.com is the best resource for anyone looking to participate in any capacity. His email is also a great starting point (Brian@JoshBillings.com). He says he’s available to help direct you in any way.
“I knew it existed,” said Berkel of the enthusiasm around the race. “People are very passionate about it. Which is great, fantastic. It is great to have this great competition, but people should know that you don’t have to be a world-class athlete by any stretch. This was meant to be a fun time. That’s why we use that quote from Josh Billings, ‘To finish is to win.’
“That was me doing marathons, I was in it to finish. That’s what we’re trying to build here.”
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