Meet Amy Drifka, TCM's New President

Twin Cities Marathon Inc., the organization responsible for organizing the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and its ancillary events, recently named Amy Drifka its new president. Drifka, who served for two years at the TCM treasurer and who is Vice President/Corporate Controller at Capella University, was named to a four-year term. Drifka succeeds Joanne Jirik Mullen in the position.

Drifka (pictured), a varsity runner at Stevens Point Pacelli High School and UW - Eau Claire, was recognized in 2007 as one of the top forty business professionals under forty ("40 under Forty") in Minnesota in the Twin Cities Business Journal for her work at Capella University and with Twin Cities Marathon, Inc.

Down the Backstretch talked to Drifka recently about her event and her new position ...

DtB: What got you involved with Twin Cities Marathon in the first place?

Drifka: I have been a runner for almost twenty five years and it has done so much for me throughout my life. I wanted to find a way to give back to the running community and found that the marathon's mission was aligned with what I found important. I am thrilled to be part of this organization and am very proud of how many runner's lives we have been able to touch over the years.

DtB: What do you see as the major challenges for the event in the coming years?

Drifka: I think it is to continue to put on the same caliber event that we have but to also look for opportunities to continue to give more to the runners.

DtB: Are there specific changes or improvements to the event that you'd like to see made?

Drifka: I think the marathon is a great event but there are always improvements that can be made. I'd like to continue to look for more opportunities for the kids to run and be active throughout the year. In addition, we have a high demand for the ten mile race, so I"d like to see what other opportunities for additional individuals to run our races.

DtB: What do you think makes the event special?

Drifka: I think the volunteers and the spectators make this event so special. We have so many volunteers that work all year round and they do an amazing job of making each person's experience very special.

DtB: There was discussion recently on Down the Backstretch about whether the event should move its date later into the fall to make better weather more likely. Is such a thing likely to be considered?

Drifka: When we selected the timing of the marathon, the marathon did a lot of research on the appropriate timing for the Twin Cities based on the timing of other marathons in the area and the average weather temperatures. We still believe that the timing is the right time of year for the marathon and we intend on continuing the tradition of the first Sunday of October.

DtB: Is there anything you especially want people to know about you, your event, and its future?

Drifka: I would just add that I think this is an amazing set of events and I am very proud to be part of this organization and am excited to give back to the running community.

Photo courtesy of Twin Cities Marathon.