From David Black – Executive Director (new member perk, and more)

KTC family,

We hope that you are all doing well and 2022 is off to a great start.  I’m sure like us, you were disappointed with the cancellation of the 2022 Strawberry Plains Half Marathon and 10K as safety is paramount.  We are grateful for all the kind words supporting us on the decision.

Both the New Year’s Day 5K presented by Tennessee Sports Medicine and the Oak Ridge Ten Miler were fantastic events.  The Treadin’ Trodden Trails series kicked off with a fun run through the woods at Maryville College.

Next up for the road and trail races is the Whitestone 30K & Relay Road and Trail races, February 20, 2022.  This is a unique event as we have a road and trail race at the same time and location.  Everyone comes together post-race for a good hot breakfast at the beautiful Whitestone Country Inn.  We hope you can join us.  https://runsignup.com/whitestone30kroadandtrail

2022 marks the 60^th anniversary for the Knoxville Track Club.  We are blessed to have the support of so many members from all walks of life.  We would love to hear some stories about you.  How long have you been a member? What is your favorite thing about KTC? What made you initially join?  We would love to have you send us pictures that reflect 60 years of KTC. Feel free to email KTC membership chair Kathy Nash at KnoxTrackMembership@gmail.com or Event Manager Stephanie Bailey at KnoxTrackEvents@gmail.com to share your story.

In addition to discounts at many local stores, KTC Members receive:

• A subscription to our award winning bimonthly electronic magazine/newsletter, Footnotes
• $5.00 discount on entry fee to all KTC road races, $10.00 discount on entry to the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon (CHKM)
• A $20 voucher for use at any KTC Race (excluding the CHKM)
• An official KTC membership card
• Discounts from local merchants and businesses
• Automatic membership in the Road Runners Club of America
• Eligibility for awards in the KTC Grand Prix Series of road races

• • • Current 2022 points Grand Prix by Threds may be found:
      • https://ktc.org/grand-prix-point-totals/

• • • Previous Grand Prix totals:
      • https://ktc.org/previous-grand-prix-final-points-totals/
• Eligibility for awards in the KTC Trail Series Grand Prixhttps://ktc.org/treadin-trodden-trails-grand-prix/      

As you can see, it really does pay to be a member.  An individual membership pays for itself if the member does one race and uses the $20 membership card.

This year, we will see our first increase in member dues since 2015. We are, however, adding an exciting new member perk that will coincide with the celebration of our 60th anniversary. We’re launching a member’s only t-shirt, and the first edition includes a 2022 logo as well as a 60th anniversary KTC logo. The shirt will change each year, making it a club collectible to be worn with pride. We hope to gain some additional member discounts with area businesses.  If you have or know of a business that might be a good fit, please let us know.  We love our community partners.

Kathy Nash will be sending out a card in your membership letter regarding the member shirt, which will be available to be picked up at KTC events.

We are excited about the member shirts as a method for marketing for our great running club.  Thank you for your support!