The Dallas Marathon board of trustees today announced a significant step in the organization’s growth, naming industry veteran Patrick Byerly as president of the official marathon of the City of Dallas. The position is a new addition to the MetroPCS® Dallas Marathon® staff, which Byerly will assume on September 9, 2013. Bringing significant experience in strategic development, integrated marketing and team leadership from previous posts with the ASICS LA Marathon, New York Road Runners and Southwest Airlines, Byerly oversaw regional marketing and partnership efforts.
“Patrick is a talented individual with a wealth of knowledge and skills that fit the immediate and long-term needs of our growing organization,” said Kevin Snyder, chairman of the Dallas Marathon board of trustees. “With Patrick, we continue our mission of taking the race to new levels, and fully trust that his experience and leadership will help propel the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon’s growth and prestige.”
As president, Byerly is responsible for overseeing and guiding the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon’s growth and structure. He will work with partners and Dallas Marathon executive director Marcus Grunewald to oversee all event logistics, marketing, corporate development and fundraising.
Byerly brings more than 15 years of sponsor development and marketing leadership to this position, having most recently served as head of marketing and strategic development for the LA Marathon. His industry experience includes a similar role as the director for business development and marketing strategy with the New York Road Runners, the organization responsible for hosting the ING New York City Marathon and other New York Road Runner assets. Previously, Byerly spent more than a decade with Southwest Airlines as the district marketing manager overseeing all sponsorships, promotions, events and corporate relations for ten markets throughout the southeast.
“I have a strong passion for innovative and strategic development, and saw the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon as an exciting opportunity,” said Patrick Byerly.
The 2013 MetroPCS Dallas Marathon is Sunday, December 8. The Dallas Marathon is Texas’ oldest marathon and was recognized by Competitor magazine as the South’s “Best Marathon” in 2012.
Registration for this year’s race, which starts and finishes in downtown Dallas, is now open. Visit dallasmarathon.com for more information.
About the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon
The MetroPCS Dallas Marathon is a flat and fast race, featuring a scenic course that highlights the best areas of Dallas including the landmark Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava. The race is Texas’ oldest running marathon and serves as a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Race activities occur the second weekend of December and include a two-day Health and Fitness Expo; the Cigna Mayor’s Race 5K presented by Oncor; and the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon, Half Marathon, 5-Person Relay and SMU Cox Corporate Relay Challenge presented by Behringer Harvard. The Dallas Marathon is the official marathon of the City of Dallas and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; the primary beneficiary of proceeds from race weekend is Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. For more information, visit dallasmarathon.com.