GREATER PHILADELPHIA TRACK CLUB CLUB HISTORY /ABOUT US
Club History
The Greater Philadelphia Track Club was established in 2003 as Philadelphia Athletic Charities Track Club by Philadelphia Athletic Charities Inc. PAC is a non-profit 501(c)3 sports production company with a mission of producing sporting events for charitable beneficiaries, while promoting the positive benefits of physical fitness and community involvement for those in need. In it's first year, the track club was supported by a core of Temple University Cross Country & Track Alumni (Dave Thomas, Chuck Shields, Paul Hines,Mark Gillman, Keith Davies, Fred Kenney, Greg Green) and other established Philadelphia area masters runners (Bob Reynolds, Pete Heesen).
This original team found success immediately in local and national USATF races, winning the Mid-Atlantic Off Road Grand Prix Championship and placing 3rd in the National Master X-C Team Championship. The team logo, a winged foot superimposed over the Liberty Bell, symbolized our roots in the City of Brotherly Love. The team grew to compete in many disciplines of running (track, cross country, race walking, trail, ultras) while growing in size and attracting more local talented runners. Dave Thomas, President and founder of Philadelphia Athletic Charities Inc, served as the track club president in the first few years. PACTC's success continued with the team winning a number of USATF Off Road Championships, National Relay Championships (4 x 800 Master Champs - 2006, 2007), and several major road race championships (Philadelphia Distance Run Master Champs, 2006). Kevin Forde was the first individual athlete to bring the club national attention when he won the 5th Ave. Master Mile and was the National Master 800 Champion in 2007.
In 2008, Philadelphia Athletic Charities TC members voted to establish a separate club identity and a new club name; Greater Philadelphia Track Club. 2009 saw an explosion in team membership with GPTC attracting all kinds of disciplines in track and field with more female and field athletes joining the club. Open competitors complimented the core of Masters athletes, reaching a membership of over 60 in 2010.
Greater Philly is a 501(c)3 non-profit and a member of the USATF (Mid Atlantic/Club #81) and Road Runners Club of America. GPTC competes in USATF Association and National Championships, World Championships and Road Team Championships (Broad Street, Philadelphia Distance Run, Boston Marathon). We enter individual athletes and relay teams each year in the prestigious Penn Relays and Milrose Games. The Liberty Bell Logo was proudly displayed world record setting 4 x 800 Masters team of Landis, Berra, McGinty & Forde in 8:07.48. Nick Berra is also World Title holder in the 40M 800 Meters.
Greater Philadelphia Track Club is always looking for new members. If you love competing in track and field, road running, trail running or cross country, and wish to compete in a club atmosphere click on membership to join. Since we do compete in many USATF sanctioned races, we encourage all our members to also join USA Track & Field (USATF) each year to support our sport and be eligible to represent the club in USATF races. Click on USATF to join. (We are Club #81).