Why do Robert and Rita keep getting these opportunities only to be incredibly mediocre? I feel like there is a ton of younger, brighter talent that could do much better with an organization like ATC. Would love to see them have a group on par with BTC, OAC, Hansons, etc...
I’m a former board member of ATC. Also ran on the masters teams. Peachtree road race numbers way down. Club took a bath on the marathon trials right before COVID. Many of us old timers can’t understand how this elite team adds value to the club. They also have a director of performance, whatever that is.
I’m a former board member of ATC. Also ran on the masters teams. Peachtree road race numbers way down. Club took a bath on the marathon trials right before COVID. Many of us old timers can’t understand how this elite team adds value to the club. They also have a director of performance, whatever that is.
That’s what I was assuming. How does having sub-elite runners bring money in? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but paying sub-elites is basically charity, unfortunately.
Anyway, that’s why I was curious what sort of budget they have for their high performance program.
I’m a former board member of ATC. Also ran on the masters teams. Peachtree road race numbers way down. Club took a bath on the marathon trials right before COVID. Many of us old timers can’t understand how this elite team adds value to the club. They also have a director of performance, whatever that is.
This makes so much sense to me, and actually makes me hope they're considering some additional changes as a long time member. I used to volunteer a ton of hours, even have some silver from them for being volunteer of the year a decade-plus ago. I think ATC tried to grow a bit too big, too fast: membership fees went up, the number of free-to-member races went down. Prices for paid races went up. Sure, they added more swag, more free shirts, more "pretty signs, branded flags and tents" but I think the goal of that to draw in new runners frustrated the runners who just wanted to show up and run, and didn't need a shiny banner and another t-shirt. It was a calculated decision, but I'm not sure it worked out for them. To be honest, I'm fine with them dialing back some of the swag/shiny/extra stuff and getting back to running. If it means the org is smaller and leaner, that's fine with me as a hobby jogger who just wants to toe the line and fight for a masters AG award.
I’m a former board member of ATC. Also ran on the masters teams. Peachtree road race numbers way down. Club took a bath on the marathon trials right before COVID. Many of us old timers can’t understand how this elite team adds value to the club. They also have a director of performance, whatever that is.
That’s what I was assuming. How does having sub-elite runners bring money in? I’m not saying it’s impossible, but paying sub-elites is basically charity, unfortunately.
It's marketing, dingus. Same as any other endorsement deal.
Also a former board member of the ATC when thanks to the efforts of Larry Gordon and other board members we asked the Club to consider event cancellation insurance. This was post 9/11 but years before the Boston Marathon bombings. Since a large part of the Atlanta Track Club's funding comes from one day we thought that was important. Think at the time they laughed us off!
I am sincerely interested Coach J and other Masters/ATC runners/racers on why you feel our Elite Team does not bring value to the ATC. Would you say the same for Atlanta United or the Atlanta Braves? Do they bring value? So you know we pushed for more local support including ATC Masters Money only at Peachtree when on the board. Some of us in the ATL running community were not happy we had paid for a van for Mammoth TC (Deena. Meb and others) when we could be supporting our own.
Would love to hear from you Coach J and others on this thread from Atlanta. Where and what should the ATC fund? Also, for those out there, road races across the country are down. For example, The Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving is over 35 percent down in participation from its peak years of 15000 runners strong (just a small CT town that embraces the event). Will be interested to see what Peachtree 2023 numbers come to.
This post was edited 1 minute after it was posted.
Also a former board member of the ATC when thanks to the efforts of Larry Gordon and other board members we asked the Club to consider event cancellation insurance. This was post 9/11 but years before the Boston Marathon bombings. Since a large part of the Atlanta Track Club's funding comes from one day we thought that was important. Think at the time they laughed us off!
I am sincerely interested Coach J and other Masters/ATC runners/racers on why you feel our Elite Team does not bring value to the ATC. Would you say the same for Atlanta United or the Atlanta Braves? Do they bring value? So you know we pushed for more local support including ATC Masters Money only at Peachtree when on the board. Some of us in the ATL running community were not happy we had paid for a van for Mammoth TC (Deena. Meb and others) when we could be supporting our own.
Would love to hear from you Coach J and others on this thread from Atlanta. Where and what should the ATC fund? Also, for those out there, road races across the country are down. For example, The Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving is over 35 percent down in participation from its peak years of 15000 runners strong (just a small CT town that embraces the event). Will be interested to see what Peachtree 2023 numbers come to.
The master's runners never really liked the elite team. Bringing the elite team coincided with the end of the blank checks for master's runners to expense their hawaiian vacation as a "competitive marathon". When Amy and Andrew came in, they became coaches of the elite team and the masters team, which of course masters runners also didn't like. They mandated that masters runners had to live in ATL, follow the training, and show up to events and practices at least occasionally. Lots of grumblings about the elite team not deserving their funding etc. Old men yelling at clouds about how fast they used to be and how they did it in converse all stars.
It's all besides the point. The Adidas contract brought plenty of money, but also an expectation for better Pro results (making Olympic teams) across a wider variety of events. ATC was supposed to be a complete track team and so far they've only really had consistent results in the women's 800m, and the marathon but then their new "performance director" ran off all of their marathoners with low-ball contract offers because he didn't like them. There's a reason Matt McDonald, Wilkerson Givens, and Maegan Krifchin all left after running consistent PR's there.
Also a former board member of the ATC when thanks to the efforts of Larry Gordon and other board members we asked the Club to consider event cancellation insurance. This was post 9/11 but years before the Boston Marathon bombings. Since a large part of the Atlanta Track Club's funding comes from one day we thought that was important. Think at the time they laughed us off!
I am sincerely interested Coach J and other Masters/ATC runners/racers on why you feel our Elite Team does not bring value to the ATC. Would you say the same for Atlanta United or the Atlanta Braves? Do they bring value? So you know we pushed for more local support including ATC Masters Money only at Peachtree when on the board. Some of us in the ATL running community were not happy we had paid for a van for Mammoth TC (Deena. Meb and others) when we could be supporting our own.
Would love to hear from you Coach J and others on this thread from Atlanta. Where and what should the ATC fund? Also, for those out there, road races across the country are down. For example, The Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving is over 35 percent down in participation from its peak years of 15000 runners strong (just a small CT town that embraces the event). Will be interested to see what Peachtree 2023 numbers come to.
The master's runners never really liked the elite team. Bringing the elite team coincided with the end of the blank checks for master's runners to expense their hawaiian vacation as a "competitive marathon"... Old men yelling at clouds about how fast they used to be and how they did it in converse all stars.
Relatively new to ATL. In my experience, have found that ATC runs some very solid events (especially HS XC/TF meets), and markets well broadly. This general "membership" likely allows for them to drive sponsorship such as adidas.
However, from a club standpoint I am shocked that they focus on elites and masters. The lack of a strong open team is palpable. Compared to other clubs of similar brand recognition, it is comical the lack of participation and depth. Perhaps some of the earlier comments in this thread provide some background on how/why ATC has seemingly lost its way. Bringing in a coach with a more inclusive vision should help to change.
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