Team Florida Track Club

The FTC Micanopy 5 and 10 miler this weekend was an absolute blast! Huge thanks to the FTC for always putting on such an incredible race. Running beneath the tree canopies of Micanopy is truly an experience unlike any other. Special shoutout to the talented for capturing these moments 🌳🏃‍♂️📸.

Group D taking a quick break during their workout to capture the beautiful sunrise over Lake Alice this morning. How about those colors, y'all? If you want to enjoy some miles with these stunning views, join the fun and be a part of Team FTC! 🌅
👀 peep silhouette 🤳

Hello friends,
For decades the UF track has been a safe haven for early-morning runners in Gainesville. The UF administration recently closed the track to the public, leaving runners without a safe place to train together. Please sign this petition and share around. Thank you! https://chng.it/mkJLpPtkCs

Newnan’s Lake 15k 💥 2024 🏃
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The highlights from the FTC Mary Andrews Marathon this past weekend were plentiful! Our team crushed it, not only with incredible performances but also by being each other's biggest cheerleaders.

The times were fast, with all 7 marathoners running Boston Qualifiers and many PRs in the half marathon. Yet, what was equally inspiring was witnessing the unwavering support and community built from showing up for each other day in and day out.

A big shoutout to the Florida Track Club for hosting this fantastic event, and thanks to all the amazing volunteers who made this race possible.

📸 Thank you to Matt for capturing these moments!

The highlights from the FTC Mary Andrews Marathon this past weekend were plentiful! Our team crushed it, not only with incredible performances but also by being each other's biggest cheerleaders.

The times were fast, with all 7 marathoners running Boston Qualifiers and many PRs in the half marathon. Yet, what was equally inspiring was witnessing the unwavering support and community built from showing up for each other day in and day out.

A big shoutout to the Florida Track Club for hosting this fantastic event, and thanks to all the amazing volunteers who made this race possible.

📸 Thank you to Matt for capturing these moments!

The highlights from the FTC Mary Andrews Marathon this past weekend were plentiful! Our team crushed it, not only with incredible performances but also by being each other's biggest cheerleaders.

The times were fast, with all 7 marathoners running Boston Qualifiers and many PRs in the half marathon. Yet, what was equally inspiring was witnessing the unwavering support and community built from showing up for each other day in and day out.

A big shoutout to the Florida Track Club for hosting this fantastic event, and thanks to all the amazing volunteers who made this race possible.

📸 Thank you to for capturing these moments!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Christmas at the track yesterday. We had a blast celebrating together and absolutely loved seeing everyone's creative and festive costumes! Here are some highlights!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Christmas at the track yesterday. We had a blast celebrating together and absolutely loved seeing everyone's creative and festive costumes! Here are some highlights! 💥
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Rise and shine, Gainesville! 🌅 There's nothing quite like the golden sunrise that follows our track workouts with . 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Our workouts are more than just miles – they're a celebration of strength, community, and camaraderie. 💪 Ready to lace up your running shoes and join the fun today? Sign up by following the link below. Let's hit the track together! 🏃 🏃‍♀️👟
https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/
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Meet our newest member of Team FTC Elite, Caroline! Just under a year ago, Caroline joined our team. Since day one, Caroline has shown up with a positive attitude, ready to challenge herself and encourage her teammates to have fun and push their limits. Caroline embodies the core of what our team is about: sharing support and connection in community through challenge and discipline. Learn more about Caroline by following link here: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team

Please welcome Payton Capes-Davis to Team FTC Elite! Payton joined our team earlier this year after finishing her collegiate running for the Gators. Payton is pursuing her Ph.D. at UF in Political Science, where she studies migration, citizenship, and political inclusion. Payton has provided leadership and community on our team, and she is always willing to help pace or push her teammates to reach their best on any given day! Come watch Payton race this Friday at the UF golf course for the Mountain Dew Invite at 8:20 AM! Learn more about Payton by following link here: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team

Last October, TeamFTC runner Matt Stamey ran the Chicago Marathon at 8:12 per mile to set a new PR. Then, his whole life changed; he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and was fighting for his life. On January 1st, during treatment, Matt set out to run his first mile in over a month; he struggled to break 16 min. Then, with the support of his family and TeamFTC running friends, Matt showed up to almost every team run and slowly rebuilt his health and running. A few months later, he was in remission, and again, he will run the Chicago Marathon this fall as a victory lap for overcoming cancer. Today, in his first race-type effort since October, Matt ran a 6:14 mile with a huge negative split of 3:16/2:58; dare I say, Matt is back and stronger than ever! We are proud of you, Matt; you inspire us all to show up consistently and to give our all, whatever the day brings.

I am excited to introduce our newest official member of Team FTC Elite, Donato Scarcello. Donato has been on our team for over two years and is a consistent and supportive teammate. Donato is known for his fun-loving personality, willingness to provide pacing and encouragement, and his raw speed on the track! You can learn more about Donato by clicking link: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team

Big morning across the pond for our TeamFTC Runners at the London Marathon!

Longtime team member Peter Laughlin led our squad with 3:07:46 to PR by ~6 min and secure a Boston Qualifier for next spring!

Susan Merolillo crossed the line in 3:26, six days after running 3:24 at Boston on Monday. This badass running mom also had to contend with a head cold, but she still rocked the socks off her first London Marathon!

Ami Mcclay ran a massive PR to lower her best time from 4:09 down to 3:31 this morning to qualify for Boston in 2024!

Ashley Frankel had a big training block and was poised to chase a PR in London. However, she picked up a stomach bug during her travels and gave it all she had to run 4:06 this morning to finish out the race.

Team FTC had a big day in Boston with stellar performances all around!

Harlie Bassitt led our squad with a MASSIVE PR of 26 min to run 2:59:14 and finish in the top 5% in her Age Group.

Susan Merolillo ran a Boston Course PR by 6 min despite battling cramps from the freezing rain that hit around halfway. She finished in the top %5 of her Age group, running 3:24!

Long-time remote TeamFTC runner Greg Jesensky ran a Boston PR in one of his strongest races to date, running 3:24 and running close to an even split, not an easy feat at Boston!

Michelle AndTony Richards always shines brightest on the biggest stage. She ran 3:32, her strongest race in years, overcoming multiple injuries to return to form.

Kristina Von Castel and LaVonne Leigh Rembert qualified for Boston last spring together as a Bucket-list goal and race. They both had life stuff get in the way of a full training block. However, they soaked up the Boston Magic and ran super strong to finish the race in their first Boston!

Congratulations to our TeamFTC Marathon crew, who took on the Albany Marathon in Georgia this morning! We had three first-time marathoners, Deborah, Luis, and Amy, cross the finish line today (Deborah 2nd in her AG, Amy 3rd in her AG). Jay ran side by side with Amy through training and today’s race. Justin lead our crew with a solid race on a warm day!

I am excited to introduce our newest member of Team FTC Elite, Sebastian Martinez-Wittinghan! Seb joined team FTC back in 2021 and has made massive improvements bringing his 5k PR down to 15:59! Seb is one of the grittiest competitors on the team and regularly pushes himself to collapse in workouts and races. Seb is studying Architecture which requires him to balance school and running demands to meet his goals on and off the track. You can learn more about Seb here: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team

Introducing our newest member of Team FTC Elite, Jake Baldauf! Jake has been on our team for the past 18 months and has progressed his running to the point where he is chasing the standard to walk onto the UF Team in the coming months. Jake recently ran 8:33 in the 3k indoors and beat some current Gators in that race. While Jake is fast at running, his most significant impact has been providing leadership and cohesion for the young runners on our team. Jake is always polite and encouraging when speeding by other runners on the track. Learn more about Jake here: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team

Newnan's lake 15k! Thank you Matt Stamey for the amazing photos!

We are excited to introduce our newest member of Team FTC Elite, Harlie Bassitt! Harlie moved to Gainesville recently and has made an impact immediately with her work ethic and desire to support her teammates. Harlie recently won the FTC Half Marathon with a new PR! Learn more about Harlie by here: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team?fbclid=IwAR2rJS5I95KXAsH05Vwo2dh_U_78J9p1lDaAXzxgn5POw26YRrXTvzE4ceo

I'm excited to introduce our newest member of Team FTC Elite, Rob Grote. Rob recently moved to Florida from New York and brings great energy to TFTC. Learn more about Rob here: https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/elite-team?pgid=khb45upp-0b82a351-9c16-485a-a0b7-17495b33120a

More 📸 from the FTC Mary Andrews marathon & half this past weekend!

Thank you to all of the volunteers that braved the cold!

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It was all smiles (and some tears) at the FTC Mary Andrews marathon & half this past weekend!

Thank you to all of the volunteers that braved the cold!

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Coming in hot 🔥! We have restocked our Team FTC gear just in time for the Mary Andrews marathon this weekend. We have limited quantities so get your swag while supplies last. You can purchase items on our online store (link below). We can bring purchased items to the race, team practice or ship them to you! 🤘

https://www.teamfloridatrackclub.com/store

2022 recap. So many great memories made with our team. Looking forward to the year ahead!

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No better way to start off the new year than with the Frank Shorter 1 miler! 💥
📸 Matt Stamey

In 2021 we had some sense of normalcy again with track practices and moving back onto the UF Campus. We also had major races return and the FTC hosted 13 local races. We are so thankful for our team and local running community. Looking forward to more good times together in 2022 and beyond! 🎉 🍊
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Join the FTC this weekend for a fun 5k and Holiday Social at Westside Park! Free for FTC Members, more info below.

Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Holiday Social The Jingle Bell Jog 5k and Holiday Social is on Saturday December 11, 2021.

Team FTC had a great showing this past weekend in Boston! Congrats to all who competed!! It was so much fun having the team back together for a big race!