LA Marathon Turns to Atlanta for CEO

Tracey Russell has joined ASICS LA Marathon as its new chief executive officer, it was announced Friday.

“I have been extremely impressed with the transformation the ASICS LA Marathon has undergone over the past several years, and I am thrilled to be a part of the race’s bright future,” Russell said. She begins in July.

Russell previously served as the executive Director of the Atlanta Track Club and managed the AJC Peachtree Road Race, the Atlanta Half Marathon and the Atlanta Marathon. She has two decades of experience managing races. 

In Atlanta, both annual sponsorship revenue and the organizational budget doubled over the past six years. She tripled the club’s membership to more than 19,000 runners and significantly enhanced the charity and youth outreach programs throughout her tenure.

In Los Angeles, Russell will have responsibility for the ASICS LA Marathon and other LA MARATHON LLC properties, with the goal of increasing participation, viewership, charitable donations and sponsorships for all races, while branding the marathon worldwide. Russell was selected after an extensive national search.

“Tracey is a true leader in the road racing industry, and has delivered incredible results her entire career,” said Howard Sunkin, LA Marathon Board member and executive at McCourt Group, the owner of the operating rights to the race.