Those who run know that it is not always about winning the race but testing the boundaries of your own endurance. The steady thud of sneakers pounding the ground, the rhythmic strides and the labored breathing are all small reminders that the race is not given to the swift and strong, but to the one who pushes past their personal threshold to reach new heights.

Tara Currier took up running about a year ago and since lacing up she has taken to the sport with gusto.

The fact that she’s already run a half marathon is not surprising, anyone who knows her understands she just has a will to do her best and make those around her better.

When she starts her new position as downtown development manager August 2, she will take the same approach to her new career as she does running.

And it’s her passion and drive that make her the perfect fit for the Cartersville Downtown Development Authority, said Cartersville City Manager Sam Grove.

“My hope is that Tara’s ability and passion will be of help to our downtown businesses and that we can take this area of Cartersville to the next level,” Grove said.

Currier, who starts her new position as downtown development authority manager Aug. 2, said she is ready to step in and have an impact on the community that she’s lived in for more than 25 years.

“I look forward to serving the merchants in every way I can - getting grants to help businesses grow, improve the downtown façade, create new co-op strategies between not only businesses, but the [Cartersville-Bartow] Chamber [of Commerce], [Cartersville-Bartow County] Convention and Visitors Bureau and the [Cartersville-Bartow County ] Economic Development Department and more,” Currier said.

Currier, a graduate of UGA, lives in Cartersville with her husband Seth and formerly served as director of marketing for the Booth Western Art Museum.

She was selected from a pool of about 50 qualified applicants said Grove.

“We are fortunate to have found someone with Tara’s qualification and ability right here in Cartersville,” Grove said.

Currier’s position replaces the executive director position and is now considered a city employee position.

Cartersville City Council with input from Downtown businesses made the decision to hire the DDA manager as a city employee and Grove said the move is beneficial.

“I expect nothing different in this arrangement,” Grove said. “Including the city as a partner brings the resources of the city’s organization directly into this relationship and should help us be successful.”