FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Richard Finn
NYRR
(212) 423-2229
Maeve Mullally
(212) 423-2294
Mary Wittenberg Named President and CEO of New York Road Runners
and Race Director of ING New York City Marathon
Allan Steinfeld to Assume the New Role of Vice Chairman of NYRR
and Executive Director of ING NYC Marathon
NEW YORK - (March 8, 2005) - New York Road Runners announced on Tuesday
that Mary Wittenberg will become the race director of the ING New York City
Marathon and the president and CEO of New York Road Runners, succeeding
Allan Steinfeld. The changes are effective April 1.
Wittenberg follows the late Fred Lebow and Steinfeld at the helm of the
most celebrated marathon and the premier road running organization in the
world. In addition to its crown jewel, the ING New York City Marathon, NYRR
produces more than 55 annual races, including its Professional Racing
Series; offers classes and lectures in running and fitness; maintains four
websites; publishes New York Runner magazine and supports its foundation
bringing running to over 5,000 children a week in New York City public
schools and communities.
The 35th running of the ING New York City Marathon last November was won by
world record-holder Paula Radcliffe of England in a thrilling duel against
Susan Chepkemei of Kenya. The race featured 36,562 finishers, making it the
world's largest marathon ever. Title sponsor ING recently extended its
agreement through the 2007 race.
"It is with great pride and humility that I take over the leadership of the
world's greatest marathon and road running organization to lead us into the
future," said Wittenberg, 42, who became associate race director of the
marathon in 2004 in addition to her duties as executive vice president and
chief operating officer of NYRR, a position she has held since 2000.
"Fred and Allan have been pioneers and leaders in our sport for the last
three decades, and I will strive to carry on our organization's goals of
staging the world's greatest marathon, providing top-quality events,
providing high-quality servicing to our business partners, and making a
positive difference in our sport and our community of New York City," said
Wittenberg, who won the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon and competed in the 1988
U.S. Women's Olympic Marathon Trials.
Steinfeld hired Wittenberg in October 1998 and has worked with her since
then on all aspects of the organization and marathon. Wittenberg is the
first female president and CEO of NYRR and the first woman to lead one of
the world's major marathons. Prior to coming to NYRR she was a partner at
the law firm Hunton & Williams in Richmond, Va., and New York City.
"As I begin to step back from the organization that I have called home for
the last 27 years, I couldn't be happier to know that I have left its
future in Mary's hands," said Steinfeld, 58, who joined the staff of NYRR
in 1978, became president in 1993, and became CEO and marathon race
director in 1994. "She has all the passion for running and the vision for
the future needed to make sure that NYRR and the marathon continue to lead
our sport. I will remain actively engaged in the activities of NYRR, in
full support of Mary, as we move forward."
Wittenberg and her husband, Derek Wittenberg, have two sons, Alex (age 3)
and Cary (age 2), and live just a quick run from Central Park in Manhattan.
About New York Road Runners
Founded in 1958 with a membership of 47, New York Road Runners is one of
the world's foremost running organizations. NYRR is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to promoting the sport of running and walking for
health, recreation, and competition, and provides full professional
services related to all aspects of racing. The organization has a full-time
staff of more than 60 employees, supplemented by a network of thousands of
volunteers, serving 40,000 members from every U.S. state and more than 100
countries. For more information, see www.nyrr.org.
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