About - Indianhead Track Club

Mission (click pictures to enlarge)

The Indianhead Track Club is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote health and fitness by sponsoring running and walking activities for people of all ages, fitness levels and abilities.

History

In 1966, Governor Warren Knowles established the Governor's Council on Physical Activity and Sports for Fitness. The state was divided into multiple regions. Region Six in the northwest was centered about Eau Claire. Ade Olson, long-time and well-respected coach at UW-EC, was named Director and Dave Weiss was Chairman. They soon recognized that ongoing publicity was needed. On May 6, 1967, a "Run Across Region Six" or a "Region Six Jogathon" was held. Teams of runners were organized to run to Eau Claire from New Auburn, Osseo, Mondovi, Abbotsford-Thorp and Fairchild. It was timed so that everyone would meet at the TV station for interviews and live coverage then they went to the YMCA where Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers gave a presentation. Two hundred and fifty people jogged a total of 260 miles. This was a successful event and fostered several fitness programs in Region Six. A second regional Jogathon was held on May 4, 1968 at which Governor Knowles was the featured speaker.

In 1968, a small group met at the YMCA and the Indianhead Track Club was founded to promote physical fitness, excellence and fun through the sport of running. Dave Weiss was the first president, Dave Angell the recording secretary, and the other charter members included Joan Angell, Gloria Weiss, Bill Meiser, Paul Dale, George Jevne, and Jim Leonard. In the 1970's the Club met monthly in the Lab Conference Room of Sacred Heart Hospital, where fun runs, races, running equipment and running injuries were often discussed. The earliest Club-sponsored races were the Carson 10 mile, the Sawdust City 6 mile, and the Frigid 8 mile.

For more information on the club's races, click the links below (UNDER CONSTRUCTION):

Spring Fever 6 and 2	RCU Charity Classic	Bloomin' Idiot Fun Run
Water Street Mile	Tortoise and Hare	Beer and M&M Fun Run
Buckshot Run	Tour of Eau Claire	Trot to Cadott
Carson 10 and 2	Frigid 8 and Thermal 3

Vision

1. Support and Encouragement. We support and encourage the broadest possible range of runners, walkers, and anyone interested in running. We invite everyone, both members and non-members, to participate in our activities.

2. Club Races. We organize races throughout the year in a low-key, fun environment. We strive to make our races runner-friendly, walker-friendly, well managed, and affordable.

3. Club Membership. We encourage everyone to contribute to the sport of running and walking and to help carry out the club’s mission by joining as a club member. The benefits of becoming a member include special, members-only entry fee for races, lower prices on club apparel, discounts at local running stores, our annual awards banquet, our bi-monthly newsletter, and weekly email bulletins.

4. Involvement in the Community. We strive to be a resource for the West Central Wisconsin community and to be a part of the social fabric that makes our region unique. We assist and support, as resources permit, other organizations that are aligned with our mission.

Last Updated 02/12/2008