Change in leadership at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

Robinson retires; Halvorsen welcomed as new Race Director and President

January 29, 2013 – OTTAWA – The Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend Board of Directors today announced its long-time Race Director and President Jim Robinson will retire effective February 28.

Ensuring a smooth transition in leadership, the Board welcomes John Halvorsen to the role effective January 28. Halvorsen is a familiar and respected figure on the Ottawa road racing scene and has been actively involved in volunteer roles in Race Weekend for more than a dozen years, including serving as Chair of the Board of Directors. [see fact sheet]

“I look forward to the challenge of this new job,” says Halvorsen, who leaves a long career in the high tech sector to join Run Ottawa. “The Race Weekend team is the best in Canada, and having Jim Robinson helping in the transition period will ensure we deliver the high quality Race Weekend events that everyone has come to expect.”

Robinson leaves after 17 record-setting years in the job. He is credited with growing the race from a modest 4,000 runners to the largest road race event in the country and a major race destination. Last year, the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend welcomed 42,600 participants in seven races and generated nearly $28 million in economic activity in the region.

“It has been a privilege to contribute to Ottawa’s running community for so many years,” says Robinson. “I know John will bring his own vision and energy to the job, and I am happy to help him during the transition.”

While the jobs of the former and new Race Director overlap by one month, Halvorsen is hopeful that Robinson will agree to stay on in advisory capacity.

“The Ottawa running community owes Jim a debt of thanks for being the driving engine of growth and success behind the Ottawa Race Weekend and developing it into a truly world-class event,” he says. “We anticipate that he will continue to bring us invaluable guidance beyond his retirement date.”

About the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

The 2012 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend welcomed more than 42,600 participants in seven races, including the Marathon, the Half-Marathon, the 10K, HTG Sports 5K, 2K and Y Kids Marathon. The Ottawa Marathon and Ottawa 10K are both designated Silver Label IAAF events by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). An economic impact assessment produced by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance in 2012 estimated that the event generated $27.8 million in total economic activity for the region. Run Ottawa, the organization behind the Ottawa Race Weekend, is dedicated to promoting the sport of running and enhancing the health and well-being of our community by organizing distinctive world-class and local races, and managing an active, membership-based running club. Information: www.runottawa.ca.

Information:

Annie Boucher
Media relations
Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend
613-863-3702
boucher@fusecommunications.ca
@runfuse | @ottawamarathon