EUGENE, Ore. -- (Oct. 16, 2012) -- Ian Dobson, 2008 Olympian and former Oregon Track Club Elite member, will serve as coach for the elite running development group Team Run Eugene. He replaces Andy Downin who recently accepted a position in Boston, Mass. 

“We're thrilled to welcome Ian as the coach of Team Run Eugene and we're incredibly grateful to Andy Downin for his work in helping to launch this group one year ago,” said TRE Executive Director Robert Wayner. “Ian's professional running experience coupled with his involvement in the local running community make him an ideal fit with TRE's mission.”

In addition to competing in the 5,000 meters in Beijing, Dobson was an NCAA National Champion and ten-time All-American while at Stanford University. Dobson still holds the Stanford school records in the 5000m (13:15.33) and steeplechase (8:32.09).

Dobson's leadership experience extends beyond the track. He has worked at the University of Oregon’s LeaderShape Institute and with the university’s Competition Not Conflict program. In addition, he organizes and coaches a weekly community running group in Eugene.

“I'm delighted to be working with Team Run Eugene. This is the perfect opportunity to take the lessons I learned in my own running career and apply them to developing athletes and promoting running in Eugene,” Dobson said. “It's an honor to work with these athletes. TRE has enormous potential and I'm proud to be a part of it.”

Dobson graduated from Stanford University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He ran professionally for Adidas from 2005-09, and for Nike and the OTC Elite from 2010-12. 

Team Run Eugene is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing the support necessary for aspiring professional runners who otherwise would not have the opportunity to continue their training post-collegiately. TRE enhances the running and broader communities through fostering and supporting talent, and through the promotion of running as part of a healthy and active lifestyle.

CONTACT: Robert Wayner, executive director, Team Run Eugene, 740-274-0911, [email protected]