FREDERICK, Md.--Brent Ayer, head coach of Hood’s men and women’s cross country and track and field teams, has been named president of the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). Founded in 1958, the RRCA is a nonprofit organization comprised of over 700 running clubs across the country that promotes long distance running, both competitive and recreational.

Ayer has been active in the RRCA since 1990, and has served as treasurer and Eastern Region Director for the organization. In 2006, Ayer received the RRCA President’s Award for his dedication to the organization in its time of transition.

Since his arrival in 2003, Ayer has transformed Hood’s cross country and track & field programs from club teams with six members, to a competitive varsity squad with over 30 runners. In 2005, Ayer was honored as the Hood College Coach of the Year.

Since 2000, Ayer has also coached the Frederick Striders Track and Field Club, where he helped his runners reach two national championships at the Amateur Athletic Union Junior Olympics.

A runner for over 35 years, Ayer has completed 17 marathons and three ultra-marathons. At Frederick Community College, Ayer broke numerous records, and briefly held the record for the 3000-meter steeplechase at Lewis University. In 1994, Ayer was named Runner of the Year by Frederick’s Steeplechasers Running Club, and organization in which he was a founding member. In 1999 and 2001, Ayer was honored as a Masters All-America.

Ayer, who has also worked as a staff member for the United States House of Representatives for the past 26 years, resides in Frederick with his wife, Mary Catherine, and three children.