FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Ron Abrahamson, Board President
(763) 287-3888 ext. 12
Megan Ryan, Marketing & PR Manager
(763) 287-3888, ext. 13
April 26, 2004
Twin Cities Marathon Appoints New Executive Director
(Minneapolis, MN) -- The Twin Cities Marathon today announced the
appointment of Patricia Ball as Executive Director. Taking the helm of
day-to-day operations of The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America, Ball
will lead the organization and focus on broadening sponsorships, advancing
community partnerships, and will oversee a staff of 6 and more than 5,000
race day volunteers. Joining Ball on the TCM staff are new Marketing &
Public Relations Manager Megan Ryan and Assistant Race Director Brian
Mastel.
"We are very excited that Patricia is joining the Twin Cities Marathon. Our
vision is to take a great series of events and make them even better --
ratchet everything up a couple notches," states Ron Abrahamson, President
of the TCM Board of Directors. "Patricia and the rest of the staff have the
talent and desire to do just that."
Patricia comes to the Twin Cities Marathon from the Detroit Free Press
Marathon where, in the last four years, she has increased participation by
over 50%, more than doubled profits and added a half-marathon to the
Detroit weekend of events. Ball's real drive, however, isn't about building
numbers; it's about doing the unthinkable. "People who train for and run
marathons do just that and it changes their lives forever. We want to
heighten that experience," said Ball. "With the staff, board and volunteers
I've met, we'll be able to make TCM not only the most beautiful urban
marathon but also the most extraordinary for our runners."
Before joining the TCM as Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Megan Ryan
ran her own Marketing, Public Relations and Special Events consulting
business. Prior to that she was the Director of Marketing & Promotions for
the City of Saint Paul, where she created the city's highly successful
Peanuts on Parade tribute to Charles Schulz.
As Assistant Race Director, Brian Mastel will work closely with TCM Race
Director Virginia Brophy Achman. Mastel has 10 years of experience
directing races in Montana and recently helped open a running specialty
store in Bozeman. "Brian is a great addition to the staff and will be
instrumental in our goal to advance our distinction as the 'best organized
marathon in the country,'" explains Achman, who was promoted to TCM Race
Director earlier this year. "The TCM's aim is to get to the next level of
competition from a race perspective and to grow our Saturday Events,
especially our youth fitness program."
The new hires are no strangers to marathons and have run a combined total
of 34 marathons between them. The TCM staff also welcomes Administrative
Assistant Kathy Pennington to its staff and announces the promotion of Amy
Ferstenou to Development and Events Manager.
TCM registration begins this Wednesday, April 29th and is expected to fill
within three weeks. The 2004 Twin Cities Marathon weekend is October 1-3.
The three-day weekend celebration of fitness includes a 5K run/walk,
children's fun runs, pasta dinner, two-day health and fitness expo and a
10-mile race in addition to the marathon. Twin Cities Marathon continues
its 14th consecutive year as the designated USATF National Masters
Championship for both men and women. Major corporate sponsors for the
marathon are Cub Foods and Seagate Technology. Twin Cities Marathon, Inc.
is a non-profit organization that directs the TCM weekend as a community
service for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Visit us at
www.twincitiesmarathon.org.
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