Elite Team History

History and Focus

Originally supporting regionally competitive, local talent, Atlanta Track Club had also seen national-caliber runners such as Benji Durden and John Tuttle represent the Club.  However, the desire to have Track Club runners winning local road races with an occasional athlete on the national stage evolved into the vision of having Olympians regularly wearing the iconic Red and Black.  Founded in 2016, Atlanta Track Club Elite was the next step of the Club’s nearly 60 year commitment to competitive running and the establishment of Atlanta as Running City USA. Unlike many other professional clubs, Atlanta Track Club Elite supports multiple disciplines.  A middle distance group focused on 800m and 1500m specialists is complimented by a long distance group of marathoners and half marathoners to stay true to our roots.  A commitment to a diversity of event disciplines continues with the addition of world class sprinters in 2022.  Atlanta Track Club’s focus on both local impact and global success can be seen in the number of Atlantans, Georgians, and alumni from local and southern universities in addition to athletes representing European, the Caribbean, and African nations.

Philosophy and Values

Atlanta Track Club is a member-based, mission-driven 501 c(3) non-profit organization.  We are different from other professional running organizations.  We are committed to creating a healthier and more active Atlanta through running and walking, and while our athletes are professionals first and foremost, they also serve as role models and inspirations to the next generation.  They just happen to run faster than most of our more than 30,000 members!  Our athletes work and train in the community and contribute to the rich diversity of Atlanta through their personal histories and volunteerism.  Atlanta Track Club also believes in nurturing the whole person and providing balance in an athlete’s life.  All members of the Elite Team volunteer with the Club’s youth programming including our Kilometer Kids program as a way to give back to the community.  Most of the Elite Team works part-time at Atlanta Track Club in roles ranging from finance to marketing and even event support.   When these athletes retire from professional running they will have resumes that include marketable skills and real world job experience in addition to their athletic accolades.  

Atlanta Track Club Elite is committed to the following values:

-Patience: It takes time to reach your potential. Incremental growth over months of sacrifice and hard work is the focus of our strength-based training philosophy.  

-Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We are a team and organization committed to reflecting the diversity of Atlanta.  Our differences make us stronger and our common love of sport and the desire to reach our individual potentials unite us.  

-Volunteerism: Giving back to the sport that has given us so much and supporting the community that has supported us are integral to our continued success and living out Atlanta Track Club’s mission.

To inquire about joining the team, please contact Eric Heintz, Director of High Performance with a running resume and a personal statement.