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The Florida Track Club

Our Legacy

Founded in 1965, the Florida Track Club (FTC) is the oldest continuously operating track club in the United States. Known as the training home of legendary runners including Olympic gold medalist Frank Shorter, Jack Bacheler, and Jeff Galloway, FTC has helped shape the sport of running for generations.

The club set important precedents for modern track clubs, becoming the first in the nation to receive tax-exempt status and the first to give competitive athletes the majority vote in deciding which meets the club would support. FTC also played a significant role in establishing Gainesville, Florida, as a destination for elite distance runners.

Building a Running Destination

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Gainesville became known as one of the premier training locations for distance runners. Florida’s year-round training weather, combined with Coach Carnes’ leadership, attracted athletes from across the country.

By the early 1970s, FTC was home to nationally recognized runners including Jeff Galloway, Frank Shorter, and Barry Brown. The club captured its first national championship in 1970 before winning three consecutive AAU Cross Country Championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973.

Frank Shorter’s gold medal in the marathon at the 1972 Olympic Games helped ignite America’s running boom, bringing national attention not only to the sport but also to Gainesville and the Florida Track Club.

A runner with race bib 145 celebrates as she crosses the Florida Track Club finish line, marking a victory for the Gainesville run club.

Women in Early FTC

Women also played an important role in FTC’s history during a time when opportunities for female distance runners were limited.

Margaret Tolbert became one of the club’s pioneering athletes, training alongside FTC’s elite runners and going on to win numerous races and national titles. She later became the first woman to serve on the FTC Board of Directors, helping pave the way for future generations of women in running.

A long table at a Gainesville running club event is covered in rows of small plastic cups filled with orange and blue liquid.

Robert Cade & the Birth of Gatorade

Few relationships are as uniquely intertwined with FTC’s history as that of Dr. Robert Cade, leader of the University of Florida research team that developed Gatorade.

Cade tested early versions of the sports drink on University of Florida and FTC runners while researching endurance and hydration. Beyond his scientific contributions, he became an active supporter of the club, helping develop local running events and FTC’s Junior Champs youth program while mentoring countless runners throughout the Gainesville community.

In recognition of his lasting impact, FTC established the annual Cade Prize in 1990 to honor extraordinary service to the club.

A Lasting Impact

Over the decades, FTC has launched and supported countless races, training programs, and community events. From the Great Gainesville Road Race to the Melon Run, the Tom Walker Memorial Half Marathon, and the Frank Shorter Road Mile, the club has remained dedicated to growing the sport while serving runners throughout North Central Florida.

Today, FTC continues to balance its competitive roots with a welcoming community atmosphere. The club supports runners of every age and ability through races, educational programs, scholarships, coaching opportunities, and volunteer service.

More than sixty years after its founding, the Florida Track Club remains committed to the same spirit that started it all: bringing runners together, supporting athletic excellence, and strengthening the running community for generations to come. 
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Prominent Runners Affiliated with FTC

Over the years, many accomplished runners have trained with the Florida Track Club. While not all were official club members, each trained in Gainesville for at least part of their career and participated in FTC activities.

National AAU Champion (Cross Country & 10,000m, 1969); National AAU Champion (6 Miles, 1970)[16]

Winner of the Price Chopperthon (1983); Adirondack Distance Run Champion (1983, 1984, 1987); World Veterans Champion (1984); TAC Masters Road Champion (1985)[17]

World University Games Champion (10,000m, 1981); U.S. 10,000m Road Champion (1985, 1987, 1989, 1995); U.S. 20K Road Champion (1993); U.S. 25K Road Champion (1995); U.S. Marathon Champion (1995, 1998)[18]

Bronze Medalist, 800m, 1971 Pan American Games[19]

Member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team; U.S. Record Holder, 10 Miles (1973)[20]

NCAA & AAU Outdoor Mile Champion (1969, 1971); AAU Outdoor Mile Champion (1970); Pan American Games Gold Medalist, 1500m (1971); World Champion, 5,000m (1977)[21]

Three-time SEC Mile Champion; U.S. Track & Field Federation Steeplechase Champion[22]

World Marathon Champion (1971–1973); U.S. Marathon Champion (1971–1974, 1976)[23]

IAAF World Cup Champion, 3,000m (1977); Five-time World Cross Country Champion; Nine-time New York City Marathon Champion; Two-time London Marathon Champion[24]