Atlanta Track Club Signs Christy Cazzola to Elite Team ahead of 2016 Olympic Pursuit

Cazzola is a five-time NCAA Division III record holder and 17-time national champion

Press Release
July 23, 2015

ATLANTA – July 23, 2015 – In line with its goals of developing at least one male and one female Olympian by 2020, Atlanta Track Club has added middle distance runner Christy Cazzola to its elite team. Cazzola’s first appearance as a team member of Atlanta Track Club Elite will be at the Sir Walter Mile in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 7.

Cazzola is a five-time NCAA Division III record holder and 17-time national champion who competed for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Following a successful high school track and cross country career during which she won the Wisconsin 800m state title in 2:16 as a freshman, Cazzola opted to postpone a collegiate career and work at a restaurant. There she met her now-husband, Shuma Kuwamoto, and had two children before competing at the collegiate level while pursuing a degree in secondary education. She has personal bests of 2:02.95 and 4:14.20 at 800m and 1500m, respectively.

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“Christy took a different route than most runners, but she is a racer who is not afraid to work hard,” said Amy Begley, Atlanta Track Club’s head coach. “Her speed and her turnover are impressive, and it will be fun to see what she can do when we add some strength to that speed.”

After her family’s move to Atlanta later this month, Cazzola will compete in the U.S. 5K Championships, hosted by the CVS Caremark Downtown 5K in Providence, Rhode Island, onSeptember 21. She has a personal best of 16:21.

As a member of Atlanta Track Club Elite, Cazzola will join the Club’s top athletes as they train together and represent the Club at local, regional and national races as well as in the community. In addition to training and racing, Atlanta Track Club Elite team members teach, engage with and help support the Club’s more than 22,000 members. To learn more about Atlanta Track Club Elite, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

About Atlanta Track Club

Atlanta Track Club is a nonprofit committed to creating an active and healthy Atlanta. Through running and walking, Atlanta Track Club motivates, inspires and engages the community to enjoy a healthier lifestyle. With more than 22,000 members, Atlanta Track Club is the second largest running organization in the United States. In addition to the AJC Peachtree Road Race (peachtreeroadrace.org) – the largest 10K running event in the world, the Atlanta 10 Miler and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, Atlanta Track Club directs more than 30 events per year. Through the support of its members and volunteers, Atlanta Track Club also maintains a number of community initiatives including organizing and promoting the Kilometer Kids youth running program to metro Atlanta youth, honoring high school cross country and track and field athletes through Atlanta Track Club’s All-Metro Banquets and supporting the Grady Bicycle EMT program. For more information on Atlanta Track Club, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

About Atlanta Track Club Elite

Atlanta Track Club Elite is comprised of the Club’s top athletes who train together and represent the Club at local, regional and national races. The team aims to help athletes realize their goals while promoting competitive distance running, track and field and the mission of Atlanta Track Club. For more information on Atlanta Track Club Elite, visit atlantatrackclub.org.

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