Posted: August 30, 2004

Athletics: Twin Cities Marathon Promotes Virginia Brophy Achman as New Executive Director

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - (August 27, 2004) - The Twin Cities Marathon (TCM) announced the promotion of Virginia Brophy Achman to Executive Director. Achman has been with TCM since mid-2000. She was Finance and Operations Manager for three years and was named Race Director in early 2004.

According to TCM President Ron Abrahamson, the announcement is a testament to how smoothly the organization has been operating throughout the last six months. "With only five weeks until TCM race weekend, the pace of event preparations is at full throttle now," said Abrahamson. "Things are going very well in the TCM office - plans for TCM weekend are falling into place, sponsorships are at an all-time high, and our new staff members have quickly gotten up to speed."

"With that context, I am very pleased to announce that the TCM Board of Directors has promoted Virginia Brophy Achman to Executive Director, effective September 1," said Abrahamson. "Virginia has been an exemplary performer, a key factor in TCM's success in recent years (including being designated America's best organized marathon by Runner's World magazine), has earned the respect and trust of all who have come in contact with her and is well-connected in the local and national running communities."

In her new role, Achman will be TCM's "general manager", in charge of all day-to-day operations of The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America™. She will oversee a staff of six, the 275-member TCM Association and more than 5,000 race day volunteers.

"I am eager to take on a leadership role during these exciting times," said Achman. "The organization has never been stronger and there is great energy to do even more."

The Twin Cities Marathon field of 10,000 runners filled in just twenty-eight days. The race, which ranks among the top ten in the country in size, now has the fourth largest prize purse ($327,000).

"We may not be the biggest, but I want to continue to be the best and harness the energy of our staff and volunteers to build upon our image in the world of marathoning, and in the Twin Cities Community - it's about being good neighbors and about giving back to the community," said Achman.

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, a Running USA Founding Member, 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 www.twincitiesmarathon.org for more information.