President’s Corner
Exactly 10 years ago, Gretchen Lloyd, who was a Florida Track Club Board member at the time, told me that the FTC was conducting a training program for the Tom Walker Half Marathon. They had recruited two former UF cross country runners, Enoch Nadler and Eddie Garcia, to coach the program. I was hesitant at first since I had never really trained with a group, but I decided to give it a try. Looking back, that decision truly changed my life.
When the program ended with the Tom Walker Half Marathon, I actually didn’t run the race that year, even though I had trained for it, because I was out of town that weekend. The Florida Track Club then handed the program over to Enoch and Angela Nadler, to operate as a separate business, and TeamFTC was officially created.
What Enoch and Angela created was about much more than running. They built a community that supports, encourages, and motivates one another. That community has had a tremendous impact on countless runners in Gainesville, including me.
I mention this for two reasons. First, Enoch and Angela have retired from TeamFTC and are pursuing separate careers in counseling. TeamFTC is now being coached by the very capable Matt Verreto. Second, Enoch and Angela have been tremendous supporters of the Florida Track Club. Enoch has provided so much help and guidance with planning our monthly races, and he has also been a valuable sounding board for me as president when I’ve had new ideas or faced difficult decisions. He and Angela were also at almost every race, volunteering and supporting not only TeamFTC runners but FTC runners as well.
Enoch and Angela have been great coaches, mentors, and motivators, but above all, they have been great friends. While I will certainly miss having them as active members of the running community, I know they will still be here in Gainesville and will always be supporters of the Florida Track Club.
Thank you, Enoch and Angela, for everything you have done for our running community and for the Florida Track Club. We are better because of you.
Kenny Vogel, FTC President
FTC Summer Social
We took a break from racing this month to get together for some food and drinks. It was a great time getting to see everyone—and, for once, getting to see everyone dressed in street clothes instead of running gear!
We didn’t get a chance to announce our Volunteer of the Year at the event, but this year’s award went to Xiomara Borek. At multiple events, she’d volunteer to help set up and check people in and would then run the race! And often times stick around to help clean up. Our events this past year ran so much more smoothly because of her. Congratulations, Xiomara, and thank you for all you did for the Florida Track Club this past year!
We also typically take a moment to recognize and thank our Board Members for another fantastic racing year. While we didn’t get a chance to do that either, we want to take the opportunity now to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Our races wouldn’t happen without them.
Don’t forget we’ll be back at First Magnitude in November for the Tom Walker Half Marathon and 5K. We hope to see everyone there!
Upcoming Races
With the fall/winter racing season soon upon us, this is a reminder of the great races we will have. Registration is open on RunSignUp for all these races. The Tom Walker Half Marathon and 5K already has more than 200 registrations. Get in early for that race and the Mary Andrews Marathon and Half Marathon (January 16, 2027) as prices go up monthly. Don’t forget that discount codes to these races can be found on our website! Just log into your account and go to Local Races > Race Discount Codes. Copy the code for the race and paste it at check out on RunSignUp. It’s that easy!
| Date | Race | Where | Distance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 12 | Short and Long Trail Run | San Felasco North Entrance | 4 & 8 miles | Free for club members, $20 for non-members |
| Oct. 10 | Tom Walker PREVIEW | Boulware Springs | 5k and 10k | Free for club members, $20 for non-members |
| Nov. 8 | Tom Walker Half Marathon | First Magnitude | Half and 5k | Varies, discount for FTC members |
| Dec. 19 | Jingle Bell Jog and Social | Haile Plantation | 5k | Free for club members, $20 for non-members |
Sponsorships
We’re excited to offer sponsorship opportunities for our upcoming Tom Walker Half Marathon and the Mary Andrews Marathon—an excellent way to showcase your brand while supporting community health and wellness. By becoming a sponsor, you’ll gain visibility among active, engaged runners and spectators, and demonstrate your commitment to fitness and local events. From logo placement and social media promotion to on-site engagement, we offer a range of options to help you make the most of your sponsorship.
The Florida Track Club appreciates and values the support of those who choose to sponsor our races and programs. We welcome partnerships that support our mission and the running community. To maintain a neutral and inclusive environment, the FTC will not accept sponsorships, donations, or promotional partnerships from political or religious organizations, or from entities whose activities are not aligned with the goals and mission of the FTC.
| What you get | Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Company name on FTC website | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Company name on Runsignup race page | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Call out on all race emails | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Company logo on race shirts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| 1 free entry to the race (with a one race sponsorship) | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| 2 free race entries (total with race sponsorship for both races) | ✔ | |||
| Booth space at race | ✔ | |||
| One Race Sponsorship – Tom Walker Half Marathon (Nov 2026) OR Mary Andrews Full/Half Marathon (Jan 2027) | $150 | $300 | $400 | $600 |
| Two Race Sponsorship – Both Tom Walker and Mary Andrews Races | $300 | $500 | $600 | $900 |