TRACEY RUSSELL (above) L.A. Marathon
Next Running: March 15
In Charge since: 2013
Hard at work: Despite the city's past connections to the sport--it hosted the very first Women's Olympic Marathon, in 1984--its annual 26.2-miler has never garnered the attention or crowds or participants that its big-city rivals have (think New York, Chicago). Russell was hired with the task of rewriting that script. In her prior post as director of Atlanta's 10-K Peachtree Road Race, Russell grew the field to a record-setting 60,000 participants, making it the largest U.S. road race. Within a few months on the West Coast, she secured hosting duties for the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials. Doing so generated instant buzz around Russell and her race; in the industry, it's considered a big first step in making L.A. a premier, world-class event.
Passion Project: "I am the kind of person who just doesn't turn it off," says the 44-year-old. "I love what I do, so it's not like the job ends when I get in my car and drive home. Races can be life-changing for people. I believe I'm helping create a stage for amazing personal experiences."
Fit Life: Russell, who competed in the 1988 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials when she was just 17, is up by 6 a.m. most mornings to get in a 45- to 50-minute run.
GINA PHARIS (left) and GENEVA LAMM (right) Little Rock Marathon, Little Rock, Arkansas
Next Running: March 1
In Charge since: 2002
Hard at work: Partners since the inaugural run in 2003, the two have watched the race grow from 2,500 runners to more than 14,000. Though they share the official title of executive director, the duo's business cards read CIC, for "Chicks in Charge."
Tag Team: Pharis was working in the city's parks and rec division when her boss called everyone into a meeting to announce that he wanted to launch a marathon in Little Rock. "Everybody said, 'Yeah, we can have a marathon,' and everybody got up and left the room except for me and Geneva," says 51-year-old Pharis. "We looked at each other, and I said, 'Okay, when is this happening?'"
Claim to Fame: The CICs try to emulate the Southern charm and hospitality of the town they represent: "We are two mother hens and we take care of our volunteers and we take care of our runners," says 51-year-old Lamm. They are also known for their hunk of a finisher's medal, which grows in size each year. "We can't have the same bling every year," Lamm says. "That would be boring. We change its look and make it bigger each year. Marathoners deserve a whopper of a medal."
PATRICE MATAMOROS Pittsburgh Marathon
Next Running: May 3
In Charge since: 2008
Hard at work: When Matamoros came on board as executive director, the race had not been run in five years and lacked sponsors, volunteers, and, of course, runners. In her first year, working from her own computer in a cubicle space donated by the local chamber of commerce, she raised $500,000 and the race sold out. Today, the event draws more than 35,000 runners and 4,000 volunteers. In 2013, Matamoros was promoted to CEO. "The title says race directing is a business and we handle it like a business," she says. "It is a lot of multitasking, a lot of detailed work, a lot of entertainment work. I'm good at planning."
Training Ground: "I had worked for 10 years with women's and children's organizations, fund-raising," says the 47-year-old mother of three. "I started to fund-raise for race events because I could do it with kids in tow and still hone my skill set. I ended up becoming the fund-raising rookie of the year in the Pittsburgh Tribune. I raised $50,000 for a 5-K with only 500 runners in it. I thought, If I can bring $50,000 to a 5-K, what can I bring to a marathon? I didn't even hesitate to take it on."
Hard at Work: Matamoros was a state champion in cross-country and track in Montana and ran in college before she suffered a career-ending hip injury. No longer able to run, she says she feels lucky to have found a way to be involved with the sport she loves.
VIRGINIA BROPHY ACHMAN Best Running Shoes 2025
Next Running: October 4
In Charge since: 2000
Hard at Work: When she was hired as race operations manager in 2000, Achman had one focus: direct a single weekend of events (marathon, 10-miler, 5-K, kids' race). In the 15 years that have passed, she has added year-round events and running programs for professionals and kids alike. "We have our crown jewel event, but we also are community-based," she says. "I think women especially are invested in our communities. There are still a lot of organizations that are focused on their one race of the year. I think it's important to evolve to do more for the community."
Qualifications: "I worked in higher education in student affairs," says the 49-year-old marathoner. "Some of those skills are transferable, but what landed me the job was my passion for running and volunteer experience; I volunteered at a lot of races."
Support Group: "I talk with race directors about what we are going through and what we need to do to grow," she says. "I can't think of anyone whom I couldn't pick up the phone and talk to. It's important to mentor and share. Our sport is only as good as our weakest race. It behooves us to help each other."
MARY WITTENBERG All About 75 Hard
Next Running: November 1
In Charge since: 2005
Hard at Work: Under Wittenberg's leadership, the NYC Marathon has grown in size and significance. Not only is it now the largest marathon in the world, with more than 50,000 finishers, it has evolved from a local race to a premier international event and a big business, with major sponsors and live national television coverage. And the 26.2-miler is just one of more than 60 year-round events Wittenberg oversees as head of New York Road Runners.
Hard at work: "As more women runners participate in the sport, I think it becomes even more important to have women in leadership," she says. "I think women in senior positions will help to nurture women in the sport."
Past Life: Wittenberg, a 52-year-old mother of two, is a former corporate lawyer and competitive runner. She won the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon in 2:44:34.
