Press Release - Twin Cities Marathon - 12/8/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
         TWIN CITIES MARATHON, INC. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED 
  CHAIR OF USA TRACK & FIELD WOMEN'S LONG DISTANCE RUNNING DIVISION
      Virginia Brophy Achman named Chair at National Convention

(Minneapolis, MN) –  Members of USA Track & Field (USATF), the national 
governing body of track and field, long-distance running and race walking 
in the United States, elected Virginia Brophy Achman, Twin Cities Marathon, 
Inc. executive director, Chair of the organization's Women's Long Distance 
Running (LDR) Division at their annual convention in Reno, NV. The post 
helps support the organization's mission to foster competitive excellence, 
interest and participation in the sport of running in the United States.    

"I am honored to be elected to this role and further share my passion for 
the sport of running and strengthening women's long distance efforts here 
in the United States," said Achman.  "There is great untapped potential in 
our sport.  It is our job to embrace these opportunities to further develop 
our future professional athletes, while offering positive associations with 
fitness.  As Chair of USATF Women's LDR, I will lead with passion, insight, 
ingenuity and perseverance."

Achman served as Vice Chair of Women's LDR for USATF from 2006 through 
2008.  She is a founding committee member of the USATF Distance Project 
(2005-current), and currently serves as vice president and Chair of 
Strategic Planning for Running USA.  

"Virginia's commitment to building opportunities for athletes is prevalent 
in all that she does," said Fred Fink, Interim High Performance Division 
Chair and Long Distance Running Chair, USATF.  "We know her passion will 
greatly benefit post-collegiate runners and our industry and her leadership 
will further opportunities for women's running."

Achman is the executive director of Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. and has been 
with the organization since 2000.  

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