Tracey Russell Tapped to Head Atlanta Track Club and the Peachtree Road Race
Posted Wednesday, 15 November, 2006
Contact: Julia Emmons, (404) 218-0536
ATLANTA - (November 14, 2006) - Following a unanimous vote by the Board of the Atlanta Track Club, ATC President Mark Brayman has announced that Tracey Russell, Director of Events for the Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers in Virginia, has been selected to head the Atlanta Track Club as of January 1, 2007. She takes over the post from Julia Emmons, who is retiring after 22 years of service.
With a great number of excellent applications for the position, Russell had stood out, Brayman said, both for her race management skills and her involvement with the community. "She will bring great energy and fresh insight to the job, and I am sure Atlanta will welcome her with its traditional warmth and hospitality," Brayman remarked.
A swimming all-star in high school, Russell graduated from the University of Virginia in 1992. After a brief stint as a swim coach, she joined the Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers in 1994, rising swiftly through the ranks. As Director of Events since 2001, she organized the Ukrop Monument Avenue 10K, with 20,000 runners, as well as the Sun Trust Richmond Marathon event with close to 5,000 participants.
A familiar face on the national running scene, Russell was selected as Road Race Director of the Year in 2005 by Road Race Management, the industry's leading management organization. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Running USA as its secretary.
"I am thrilled and awed by the challenges ahead," says Russell. "Peachtree is one of the world's great races, and I look forward to maintaining its traditions and superb organization. Julia has set the standard, and I am honored by the opportunity to build on such a firm and famous foundation."
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