Vermont Business Magazine RunVermont, the nonprofit organization dedicated to producing premier running events across the state, including the M&T Vermont City Marathon, announced today Anthea Dexter-Cooper as the organization’s next Executive Director. Dexter-Cooper will lead the organization’s staff, board, and events and programming.
Dexter-Cooper brings a strong background in leadership. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cornell University and a JD from the University of Minnesota. Her legal career spans more than 10 years, with roles including assistant city attorney for the City of Burlington, legislative counsel for the State of Vermont, and senior attorney at Conservation Law Foundation.
A dedicated runner, Dexter-Cooper has participated in over 50 races, including relays, marathons, and ultramarathons; served on the race committee for the 2016 Vermont City Marathon and Relay; and most recently took part in RunVermont’s Summer Six Pack 5K race series. She also served on the board of Special Olympics Vermont for five years.
“Anthea’s commitment to running and her diverse professional background make her the perfect leader for RunVermont,” said Beth Anderson, chair of RunVermont’s board of directors.
"Running as a lifelong activity is about so much more than getting from the start line to the finish line,” said Dexter-Cooper. “I intend to embrace that attitude as RunVermont events continue to rebound post-COVID-19, which can only happen through the dedication and hard work of the talented and passionate RunVermont staff and board, the invaluable sponsors and partners – especially M&T Bank and the City of Burlington – and the enthusiastic volunteers and spectators. That's the combination that ensures RunVermont puts on a world-class marathon every Memorial Day Weekend and other top-notch events throughout the year."
In addition to RunVermont’s year-round programming, including youth programming, the 2025 event season will include:
-
Freezy Cheeks 5K Winter Series – January-March 2025
-
Half Marathon Unplugged – April 12, 2025
-
Mini Marathon – May 24, 2025
-
M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay – May 25, 2025
-
New Summer Series – Summer 2025
-
Island Vines – September 2025
Dexter-Cooper will lead the RunVermont team in hosting the next M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon and Relay, the organization’s largest annual event, which takes place over the Memorial Day Weekend each year. Registration for the M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon and Relay opened on November 1, 2024, and RunVermont expects to welcome more than 5,000 racers from in-state and out-of-state on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
"As a runner, a volunteer, a spectator, a parent of runners, and a child of runners, I have gained so much from the running community, especially in Vermont,” said Dexter-Cooper. “It will be an honor to lead RunVermont through its next chapter."
Dexter-Cooper began her position as Executive Director starting November 4, 2024.
Joe Connelly, RunVermont’s Executive Director 2022-2024, will transition to the role of Chief of Race Operations. In this position, Connelly will focus on growing and enhancing the organization’s race offerings for the upcoming season and beyond.
For more information about RunVermont, visit runvermont.org.
Anthea Dexter-Cooper. RunVermont photo.
About RunVermont
RunVermont was created in 2004 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to foster a lifelong love for the sport of running through year-round race events, coaching services, and youth engagement programs. It is home to New England’s 3rd largest marathon and Vermont’s largest sporting event, the M&T Bank Bank Vermont City Marathon and Relay, founded in 1989 and the first marathon in the USA to include a marathon relay in conjunction with a marathon. For more information, please run over to www.runvermont.org.
Source: 11.12.2024. Burlington, VT - RunVermont
To support vital journalism, access our archives and get unique features like our award-winning profiles, Book of Lists & Business-to-Business Directory, subscribe HERE!
