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New York Road Runners announced 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 Web sites;

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 recordholder 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.

“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. Olympic Team Trials-Women’s Marathon.

The ING New York City Marathon is the premier event of New York Road

Runners. 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.