C O L U M B I A   T R A C K   C L U B

About CTC
CTC is a not-for-profit organization that supports the recreational and competitive athlete. We are a member of the Missouri Valley Association of USA Track & Field, the governing body of track & field, racewalking and distance running.

History
The Columbia Track Club was founded in November, 1968. Bill Clark was Director of Recreation for the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. He had promoted many running and race-walking events over the previous several years, mostly notably the Heart of America Marathon in 1960. In the fall of 1968 he placed a notice in the Columbia Daily Tribune, for which he was a columnist, announcing a meeting for those who were interested in forming a track club. This meeting was held with ten interested people in attendance. It was decided to proceed with the formation of the club, emphasizing distance running and race-walking as a way to fitness for everyone. A meeting was held at the home of Joe Duncan and the club was formally organized with the decision to incorporate. The club was incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation, by-laws were created and a schedule set for races in 1969.

The main objective of the club was to have a year-round program of distance running and race-walking for everyone. Individual improvement towards fitness was emphasized although competition was also encouraged. The club did achieve its objectives for, even today, it has a year-round program for everyone, highlighted by a couple of mega-races and the Heart of America Marathon which will have its 50th Annual running in 2009.

Probably the best decision made by the club was to develop a fitness program for the youth of Columbia emphasizing running and walking. In March, 1974 the Board of Directors voted to establish a summer program for kids, ages 3-18. The idea was to have meets on six Wednesday evenings at the Hickman HS track during the summer. The meets would consist of five running events and a one-mile race-walk. The participation fee would be a one-time $1.00. The same format continues to this day--six Wednesday evenings, five running events, the race-walk is now a "for-the-family" fun walk, a long jump and shot put have been added, all for a dollar.

In the late 80's CTC established a scholarship fund to assist graduating High School Seniors who meet certain criteria in the CTC By-Laws. Over 30 $500 scholarships have been awarded with this program.

Presidents of the Columbia Track Club

Joe Duncan	Nov. 1968 to Oct. 1987
Tom Coon	Nov. 1987 to June 1989
Joe Marks	July 1989 to June 1991
Steve Stonecipher-Fisher	July 1991 to Dec. 1992
Joe Marks	Jan. 1993 to Nov. 1995
Curt Kempf	Dec.1995 to Oct. 1997
Dick Hessler	Nov. 1997 to Nov. 2004
Linda LaFontaine	Dec. 2004 to Dec. 2009
Bill Stolz	Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2012
Matt Dreier	Jan. 2012
Beth Luebbering	Jan. 2012 to