New Executive Director Named to Boilermaker Road Race and National Distance Running Hall of Fame

October 18, 2007 (Utica, NY) The board of directors of the Boilermaker Road Race and the National Distance Running Hall of Fame are pleased to announce that Tim Reed was recently voted to the position of executive director. In August, Reed retired as president of ECR International, a Utica-based company with sales in excess of $100,000,000 and more than 500 employees. Reed held the position of president since ECR International was formed after combining The Utica Companies and Dunkirk Radiators in 1999, and also served as president of The Utica Companies from 1995-1999. Reed will formally fill the role of executive director beginning on November 1, 2007.

Reed, a self-described "middle of the pack" runner, has run 27of the last 30 Boilermaker races. He also happens to be the brother of Earle Reed, co-founder of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame and founder of the Boilermaker Road Race. In 1978, Earle Reed founded the Boilermaker 15K as a way to give back to the community that had supported the family business, The Utica Companies. According to Earle Reed, the timing of Tim's retirement and the vacancy at the organization were a coincidence that all concerned are thrilled about.

"Tim is not only an astute businessman with excellent credentials; he also has a strong personal interest in the success of the event. The board is extremely confident placing the leadership of the Hall and the race in Tim's hands. His business acumen along with his love of the race and the sport of distance running make him uniquely qualified to guide the race and the Hall into the future," said Earle Reed.

Tim Reed, a big-picture thinker who demonstrates his dedication to the Utica area through his involvement in numerous community organizations, believes the race is a professionally run event that highlights the area's tremendous spirit. Therefore, his plan for the race is more strategic in nature. "The race is a well-oiled machine and is something that our community does exceptionally well. I think there is great potential to use this race and its surrounding events as an economic engine. Collectively, we can find creative ways capitalize on the race and the thousands of visitors it attracts during the second weekend in July to bring both business and people back home."

As for the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, Reed sees some opportunities for growth. "I think that it is important to the pioneers of the sport of distance running that we continue to find timely and fitting ways to honor them. I would like to explore the use of technology to connect the community of 40 million runners to the mission of and the history behind the Hall."

Reed's experience in the business and non-profit world makes him perfectly suited for this position. In addition to his role as president at ECR International and The Utica Companies, Reed's job titles also include vice president of manufacturing, plant manager and production control at The Utica Companies. He also worked for Procter and Gamble's food division in sales management for four years and served in the Army Infantry as an Airborne Ranger from 1973-1976. Reed's community involvement includes his current volunteer status as a loaned executive for the United Way. He has also served on the Hospice, Munson Williams Proctor Institute, United Way, Boys and Girls Club, EMI Corporation and Utica National Insurance Corporation boards. He just resigned his seat on the National Distance Running Hall of Fame and Boilermaker board, a position that he's held for the last two years, to accept the executive director position.

Since retiring from ECR, Reed has been presented with numerous business opportunities, but the reason he pursued this one was heartfelt. "The Boilermaker is one of those things that everybody feels good about. I can't imagine a better job than to be a part of something that brings a smile to everybody's face." Reed credits the 6,500 volunteers for much of the race's success. "I speak for myself and, I'm sure, the entire community when I say that we are indebted and appreciative of the efforts that all involved have put forth to make this event what it is today. I remember being at the finish line of the first race in 1978. Earle was walking around cleaning up with a shovel. Today, you can drive the course shortly after the race and you'd never know what had just taken place. I look at this event with an incredible amount of pride."

Reed, 53, is a graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. He currently resides in New Hartford, New York with his wife Cindy and his three sons, Timothy, Jack and Michael.

The Boilermaker Road Race is the premier event of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame's annual Hall of Fame Weekend. The race consistently attracts elite runners from all over the world, including Olympians and world record holders, and features distance running's most enthusiastic fans, as well as the sport's best post-race party hosted at The Matt Brewing Company.

The National Distance Running Hall of Fame was established on July 11, 1998 to honor the athletes who have lent their names and achievements to defining the sport of distance running, and whose accomplishments have brought the sport the fame and recognition it deserves. The Hall houses the historic displays and nostalgia designed to inspire and awe and serves as the venue where the sport's greatest stories can be retold. The National Distance Running Hall of Fame is located in historic Mohawk Valley at 114 Genesee Street, Utica, New York. For more information, go to www.distancerunning.com or www.boilermaker.com.