Greenville Track Club-ELITE - a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program
10 USA Olympic Trials Qualifiers
established 2012
10 USA Olympic Trials Qualifiers
established 2012
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 Running in his first competition since joining Greenville Track Club-ELITE in August, Jack Mastandrea won the 35th edition of the CPI Security Charlotte Turkey Trot 8K on Thanksgiving morning in the Queen City of North Carolina. The former University of Charleston (West Virginia) standout covered the rolling route in 24:25, while besting the runner-up by 22 seconds. He joins former GTC-ELITE alumni Adam Freudenthal (2012) and Trent Binford-Walsh (2015) as winners of this traditional race. The event, which has an accompanying 5K, sold out its combined limit of 10,000 runners and is billed as North Carolina's largest running event.
All Time Sub-25:00 Performances at Charlotte Turkey Trot 8K
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program and training center. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA, one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase and three qualifiers for the 2024 USA Olympic Trials Marathon. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (foot mobility), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
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Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Jason Weitzel is now ranked first in the most recent South Carolina Road Race Rankings, published by USATF State Record Keeper Bill Marable. Jason surpasses Greenville's James Quattlebaum, who has lead the rankings for the past couple of years. Weitzel's training partner and teammate, Eddie Garcia, remains third in the rankings. Each of the top three ranked runners have not recently raced within the state of South Carolina, as they have competed in top competitions elsewhere, including the USATF 20K Championships (New Haven, CT), USATF 10K Championships (Northport, NY), the Bakline McKirdy Marathon (Valley Cottage, NY) and the USATF 5K Championships (New York, NY). Both Jason an Eddie ran under the USA Olympic Trials Marathon qualifying standard of 2:18:00 at the Bakline McKirdy Marathon with Personal Bests of 2:15:55 and 2:17:09, respectively. Weitzel and Garcia's most recent SC performances were Jason's victory at the Michelin Memorial 5K in August and Garcia's runner-up finish. Both Jason and Eddie crushed the previous course record of 14:42 (GTC-ELITE's Austin Steagall in 2016), with times of 14:15 and 14:20, respectively. Eddie previously had victories this summer at the Sunrise 8K and the Red, White and Blue Shoes 5K and was ranked second in the August rankings. Quattlebaum was the 2022 South Carolina Long Distance Runner of the Year and previously won the SCLDROY honors in 2019 and 2021. Garcia, was the 2020 SCLD Runner of the Year in 2020. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) continue to be ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. South Carolina Road Race Rankings |
 Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel |  Sporting their hardware. |
Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Jason Weitzel and Eduardo "Eddie" Garcia ran personal bests of 2:15:55 and 2:17:09, respectively to run under the USA Olympic Trials Marathon standard of 2:18:00 on Saturday morning. The Bakline McKirdy Micro Marathon was set-up for athletes to have an opportunity to achieve the USA Olympic Trials Qualifying time and featured a limited field (sub-2:25 for men and sub-2:45 for women) of runners who had previous performances within range of the standard (2:18;00 for men & 2:37:00 for women). The course was billed as flat and fast and was conducted on a 2.946 mile loop around the lake in Rockland Lake State Park, Valley Cottage, NY.
One of the featured aspects of this unique event was that race organizer James McKirdy provided bottle service for every accepted athlete and there were over 39 tables set up along the route (in the pre-dawn darkness). Each athlete could have up to eight bottles (one per lap after the first loop). The weather conditions were almost perfect with the temperature at 50 degrees and very little wind, although a light rain appeared in the later stages of the race. Another positive was the excellent work of the pacers, who made major contributions to the outstanding performances and results.
One of the featured aspects of this unique event was that race organizer James McKirdy provided bottle service for every accepted athlete and there were over 39 tables set up along the route (in the pre-dawn darkness). Each athlete could have up to eight bottles (one per lap after the first loop). The weather conditions were almost perfect with the temperature at 50 degrees and very little wind, although a light rain appeared in the later stages of the race. Another positive was the excellent work of the pacers, who made major contributions to the outstanding performances and results.
 Jason (left) increasing the pace on the final lap. (@jporter_photo) |  The finish: 2:15:55. (@jporter_photo) |
(@jporter_photo)
Weitzel and Garcia ran in a large pack of runners following pacer Henry Sterling with sub-2:18:00 as their primary target. They remained in that pack for seven of the nine loops of the course, before Jason increased his tempo to move ahead. He then covered the final loop at 4:58 per mile pace to knock a whopping 8:36 from his previous and only marathon performance. It also was a new program record for GTC-ELITE, supplanting the 2:17:18 by Joe Niemiec at the 2020 Chevron Houston Marathon.
Garcia's time of 2:17:09 (gun time/2:17:06 chip time) was also under Niemiec's program record and was a new national record for the US Virgin Islands. Eddie has dual citizenship and already held the record at 2:17:45.
The race also offered a $20,000 prize bonus to be shared equally between the men and women achieving the USA OT standard (who were not previously qualified). There were 48 athletes (35 men and 13 women) who ran sub-2:18/sub-2:37, however some had previously qualified.
Garcia's time of 2:17:09 (gun time/2:17:06 chip time) was also under Niemiec's program record and was a new national record for the US Virgin Islands. Eddie has dual citizenship and already held the record at 2:17:45.
The race also offered a $20,000 prize bonus to be shared equally between the men and women achieving the USA OT standard (who were not previously qualified). There were 48 athletes (35 men and 13 women) who ran sub-2:18/sub-2:37, however some had previously qualified.
 Eddie fueling in final lap. (@jporter_photo) |  New PB and US Virgin Islands' National Record. (@jporter_photo) |
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel, pictured here relaxing the day before the USATF 10K Road Championships in Northport, NY.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Jason Weitzel and Eddie Garcia remain ranked second and third in the most recent South Carolina Road Race Rankings published by USATF State Record Keeper Bill Marable. Neither runner has competed in South Carolina since the Michelin Memorial 5K back in August as they have ventured north to compete in, first the USATF 20K Championships in New Haven, CT, and then the USATF 10K Championships in Northport, NY. Garcia placed 12th in the 20K and 15th in the 10K, while Weitzel placed 22nd in the 20K and 12th in the 10K.
Weitzel had regained the number two ranking in September over his teammate Garcia by winning the Michelin Memorial 5K in August. Both Jason and Eddie crushed the previous course record of 14:42 (GTC-ELITE's Austin Steagall in 2016), with times of 14:15 and 14:20, respectively. Eddie had victories this summer at the Sunrise 8K and the Red, White and Blue Shoes 5K and was ranked second in the August rankings. Weitzel had been ranked second for 20 consecutive months before the August rankings, while Garcia had been ranked third for the previous six months.
Both athletes are ranked behind 2022's South Carolina Long Distance Runner of the Year James Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum, also from Greenville previously won the SCLDROY honors in 2019 and 2021. Garcia, was the 2020 SCLD Runner of the Year in 2020. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Weitzel had regained the number two ranking in September over his teammate Garcia by winning the Michelin Memorial 5K in August. Both Jason and Eddie crushed the previous course record of 14:42 (GTC-ELITE's Austin Steagall in 2016), with times of 14:15 and 14:20, respectively. Eddie had victories this summer at the Sunrise 8K and the Red, White and Blue Shoes 5K and was ranked second in the August rankings. Weitzel had been ranked second for 20 consecutive months before the August rankings, while Garcia had been ranked third for the previous six months.
Both athletes are ranked behind 2022's South Carolina Long Distance Runner of the Year James Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum, also from Greenville previously won the SCLDROY honors in 2019 and 2021. Garcia, was the 2020 SCLD Runner of the Year in 2020. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
South Carolina Road Race Rankings
as of October 7, 2023
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
 |  Karl at Munich's Olympic Stadium |
Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Karl Thiessen ran 1:06:05 to place second in the Munich Half Marathon on Sunday afternoon in Germany. It was Karl's debut at the distance and just his second competition representing GTC-ELITE, following his graduation from the University of Tennessee. He recently placed 11th at the USATF 10K Road Championships in Northport, NY in his first post-collegiate competition.
"It was a great debut for Karl at the Half Marathon distance," stated Coach Mike Caldwell. "The weather conditions were not ideal for running really fast at that distance as temperatures were right around 70-degrees (F), but under cloudy skies. Our pre-race plan was to start conservatively due to the weather forecast and the 12:30 pm start, and hopefully average around 3:07-3:08 per kilometer." Karl was able to average that pace, although he started much too fast as he ran with the eventual winner and passed the first 5K in 14:42 (2:56 per K). He slowed over the 18th-20th kilometers, but covered the final K in 3:07.
Karl texted right after the finish, "2nd, a 28:10 guy won and went out blazing. I went with him when I shouldn’t have. Way too fast first 5k and I bonked a little bit."
"It was a great debut for Karl at the Half Marathon distance," stated Coach Mike Caldwell. "The weather conditions were not ideal for running really fast at that distance as temperatures were right around 70-degrees (F), but under cloudy skies. Our pre-race plan was to start conservatively due to the weather forecast and the 12:30 pm start, and hopefully average around 3:07-3:08 per kilometer." Karl was able to average that pace, although he started much too fast as he ran with the eventual winner and passed the first 5K in 14:42 (2:56 per K). He slowed over the 18th-20th kilometers, but covered the final K in 3:07.
Karl texted right after the finish, "2nd, a 28:10 guy won and went out blazing. I went with him when I shouldn’t have. Way too fast first 5k and I bonked a little bit."
 Karl Thiessen receiving his runner-up award. |  Top four Half Marathon finishers. |
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
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Karl Thiessen (bib 25) in 11th, Jason Weitzel (21) in 12th at 6 miles, with Eddie Garcia (15th) at far right of photo.
Running in his first race as a professional, Karl Thiessen ran 29:42 to place 11th in the 2023 Great Cow Harbor Run which was the USATF 10K Road Championships for the second consecutive year. The University of Tennessee graduate finished only one second shy of the tenth place finisher and four seconds ahead of his Greenville Track Club-ELITE teammate Jason Weitzel. Weitzel repeated his 12th place finish from the 2022 10K Championships with a time of 29:46. He had run 29:40 last year in somewhat better weather conditions. Their teammate Eddie Garcia ran his best time on this hilly and challenging course, clocking 29:57 for 15th overall.
The 46th running of his iconic Long Island race in the Village of Northport, NY was conducted under windy and wet conditions, although fortunately the predicted amount of rain did not occur. The race once again sold out its limit of 5,000 participants.
The 46th running of his iconic Long Island race in the Village of Northport, NY was conducted under windy and wet conditions, although fortunately the predicted amount of rain did not occur. The race once again sold out its limit of 5,000 participants.
The three GTC-ELITE teammates passed the halfway point (5K) with Garcia 10th (14:51), Thiessen 11th (14:51) and Weitzel 13th ( 14:56). Karl ran perfectly even 5K splits as he covered the second half in another 14:51, while Weitzel ran 14:50 for the final 5K.
Their times now rank 2nd, 3rd and 5th on the Cow Harbor 10K course for GTC-ELITE.
Their times now rank 2nd, 3rd and 5th on the Cow Harbor 10K course for GTC-ELITE.
Top GTC-ELITE Men's Performances @ Great Cow Harbor 10K by Finishing Time
1. Jason Weitzel - 29:40 (2022) - 12th place ** USA 10K Championships
2. Karl Thiessen - 29:42 (2023) - 11th place ** USA 10K Championships
3. Jason Weitzel - 29:46 (2023) - 12th place ** USA 10K Championships
4. Adam Freudenthal - 29:49 (2014) - 6th
5. Eddie Garcia - (29:57) (2023) - 15th ** USA 10K Championships
6. Mark Leininger - 30:16 (2016) - 6th
7. Eddie Garcia - 30:16 (2018) - 9th
8. Mark Leininger - 30:47 (2015) - 6th
9. Victor Pataky - 30:52 (2019) - 11th
10. Adam Freudenthal - 31:02 (2013) - 9th
11. Tyler Morse - 31:15 (2017) - 13th
12. Austin Steagall - 31:16 (2016) - 9th
13. Victor Pataky - 31:27 (2018) - 15th
2. Karl Thiessen - 29:42 (2023) - 11th place ** USA 10K Championships
3. Jason Weitzel - 29:46 (2023) - 12th place ** USA 10K Championships
4. Adam Freudenthal - 29:49 (2014) - 6th
5. Eddie Garcia - (29:57) (2023) - 15th ** USA 10K Championships
6. Mark Leininger - 30:16 (2016) - 6th
7. Eddie Garcia - 30:16 (2018) - 9th
8. Mark Leininger - 30:47 (2015) - 6th
9. Victor Pataky - 30:52 (2019) - 11th
10. Adam Freudenthal - 31:02 (2013) - 9th
11. Tyler Morse - 31:15 (2017) - 13th
12. Austin Steagall - 31:16 (2016) - 9th
13. Victor Pataky - 31:27 (2018) - 15th
Eddie, Karl and Jason enjoying picturesque Cow Harbor the day before the race.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Jason Weitzel and Eddie Garcia are ranked second and third in the most recent South Carolina Road Race Rankings published by USATF State Record Keeper Bill Marable. Weitzel regained the number two ranking over his teammate Garcia by winning the Michelin Memorial 5K in August. Both Jason and Eddie crushed the previous course record of 14:42 (GTC-ELITE's Austin Steagall in 2016), with times of 14:15 and 14:20, respectively.
Eddie had victories this summer at the Sunrise 8K and the Red, White and Blue Shoes 5K and was ranked second in the previous rankings (August). Weitzel had been ranked second for 20 consecutive months before the August rankings, while Garcia had been ranked third for the previous six months.
Both athletes are ranked behind 2022's South Carolina Long Distance Runner of the Year James Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum, who represents Run In, previously won the SCLDROY honors in 2019 and 2021. Garcia, was the 2020 SCLD Runner of the Year in 2020. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Eddie had victories this summer at the Sunrise 8K and the Red, White and Blue Shoes 5K and was ranked second in the previous rankings (August). Weitzel had been ranked second for 20 consecutive months before the August rankings, while Garcia had been ranked third for the previous six months.
Both athletes are ranked behind 2022's South Carolina Long Distance Runner of the Year James Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum, who represents Run In, previously won the SCLDROY honors in 2019 and 2021. Garcia, was the 2020 SCLD Runner of the Year in 2020. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
South Carolina Road Race Rankings
as of September 4 , 2023
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
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Photo by Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant
On a sunny and warm Labor Day morning, Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Eduardo (Eddie) Garcia ran to a 12th place finish in the USATF 20K Road Championships in New Haven, CT. With a temperature of 72 degrees and 90% humidity at the 8:30 am race start, the conditions continued to become warmer as the mercury rose to 80 degrees by the time the elite runners crossed the finish line. It was the 46th edition of the Faxon Law New Haven Road Race, which has become the home for the USATF 20K Championships over the past years.
Eddie and teammate Jason Weitzel started out at the back of the lead group of elite men and passed the first mile in a quick 4:38. Defending champion Connor Mantz (4:35) forced the pace from the front, but that early pace was not sustainable under the weather conditions. Mantz eventually placed a very close second to former BYU teammate and current training partner Clayton Young as both crossed the finish virtually together (59:15).
Garcia averaged 3:07 per kilometer (5:01 per mile) while his training partner Weitzel experienced a difficult race and finished in 22nd place with a time of 1:03:55. Both athletes are scheduled to compete in the USATF 10K Championships at the Great Cow Harbor Run in Northport, NY on September 23.
Eddie and teammate Jason Weitzel started out at the back of the lead group of elite men and passed the first mile in a quick 4:38. Defending champion Connor Mantz (4:35) forced the pace from the front, but that early pace was not sustainable under the weather conditions. Mantz eventually placed a very close second to former BYU teammate and current training partner Clayton Young as both crossed the finish virtually together (59:15).
Garcia averaged 3:07 per kilometer (5:01 per mile) while his training partner Weitzel experienced a difficult race and finished in 22nd place with a time of 1:03:55. Both athletes are scheduled to compete in the USATF 10K Championships at the Great Cow Harbor Run in Northport, NY on September 23.
 Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel |  Pre-race prep. (photo: Cloe Poisson/Special to the Courant) |
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
Jason Weitzel (1504) and Eddie Garcia (1505)
On a beautiful mid-August Saturday morning Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Jason Weitzel and Eddie Garcia both broke the course record at the Michelin Memorial 5K. Weitzel defended his title from 2022 and cut a whopping 29 seconds from that winning time (14:44) with his 14:15 clocking over the hilly route through the countryside near the Michelin Conference Center. His time broke the course record of 14:42, set by GTC-ELITE's Austin Steagall back in 2016. After running together for much of the race, Garcia followed Weitzel across the finish line with a time of 14:20 (some 22 seconds under the previous course record). Their times were outstanding for this long-standing event. Garcia had won the 2018 race in 14:48. The teammates will compete next in the USATF 20K Championships in New Haven, CT on Labor Day (September 4).
"The guys looked strong this morning and their times definitely indicate their current fitness as this is a somewhat challenging course," stated GTC-ELITE coach Mike Caldwell. "They ran much faster than some of our past team members had in previous years, which is saying quite a lot."
"The guys looked strong this morning and their times definitely indicate their current fitness as this is a somewhat challenging course," stated GTC-ELITE coach Mike Caldwell. "They ran much faster than some of our past team members had in previous years, which is saying quite a lot."
Michelin Memorial 5K Top Performances
| 1. Jason Weitzel - 14:15 (2023), 1st 2. Eduardo Garcia - 14:20 (2023). 2nd 3. Austin Steagall - 14:42 (2016), 1st 4. Adam Freudenthal - 14:43 (2014, 1st 5. Jason Weitzel - 14:44 (2022), 1st 5. Austin Steagall - 14:44 (2018), 1st 7. Eduardo Garcia - 14:48 (2018), 2nd 8. Mark Leininger - 14:54 (2015), 1st | 9. Ryan Bugler - 14:57 (2019), 1st 10. Joe Niemiec - 14:59 (2019), 2nd 11. Adam Freudenthal - 15:01 (2013), T-1st 11. Chass Armstrong - 15:01 (2013), T-1st 13. Victor Pataky - 15:06 (2018), 2nd 14. Victor Pataky - 15:07 (2019), 3rd 15. Tyler Morse - 15:22 (2017), 2nd 16. Avery Martin - 15:25 (2019), 4th |
 Post-race with new GTC-ELITE teammates: Jack Mastandrea, Karl Thiessen, Garcia, Weitzel, Davonte Jett-Reynolds |  Eddie & Jason, post-race. |
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE is excited to announce that Jack Mastandrea will be joining the post-collegiate, Olympic-development program and relocating to beautiful Greenville. Jack is a graduate of the University of Charleston in West Virginia, where he also earned a post-graduate MBA degree.
Jack had collegiate personal bests of 13:48.09 for 5,000 meters and 29:02.95 for 10,000m. Post graduation he posted a personal best of 1:03:43 for the Half Marathon and 2:17:28 for the Marathon. The latter qualified him for the upcoming 2024 USATF Olympic Team Marathon Trials next February in Orlando, FL. He trained with and competed for the Hansons Distance Project in Michigan for just over a year.
Jack recently visited Greenville to meet the coaches and team and then made his decision to join the program. He explained, “I’m looking forward to keep raising the bar for myself as an athlete, and to work with Coach Caldwell to help prepare me for the Olympic marathon trials. The team was very welcoming, and I look forward in training with them to help them achieve their goals”.
"We are happy and excited that Jack has decided to join our program, GTC-ELITE Director/Coach Mike Caldwell explained. "He will be a good addition to our current group of athletes and should have excellent training partners in our veterans Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel, and also another new addition, Karl Thiessen, as those four will focus on distances from 5,000 up through the marathon."
This announcement is a continuation of the recent additions including Thiessen, Davonte Jett-Reynolds and Ryan Drew. The latter two are focusing on the 1500m - 5,000m distances, but will do much of their training with the others. The program also is anticipating the return of Brent Leber, following his second surgical procedure on his ankle, which he injured in his final NCAA competition in May of 2022.
Jack had collegiate personal bests of 13:48.09 for 5,000 meters and 29:02.95 for 10,000m. Post graduation he posted a personal best of 1:03:43 for the Half Marathon and 2:17:28 for the Marathon. The latter qualified him for the upcoming 2024 USATF Olympic Team Marathon Trials next February in Orlando, FL. He trained with and competed for the Hansons Distance Project in Michigan for just over a year.
Jack recently visited Greenville to meet the coaches and team and then made his decision to join the program. He explained, “I’m looking forward to keep raising the bar for myself as an athlete, and to work with Coach Caldwell to help prepare me for the Olympic marathon trials. The team was very welcoming, and I look forward in training with them to help them achieve their goals”.
"We are happy and excited that Jack has decided to join our program, GTC-ELITE Director/Coach Mike Caldwell explained. "He will be a good addition to our current group of athletes and should have excellent training partners in our veterans Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel, and also another new addition, Karl Thiessen, as those four will focus on distances from 5,000 up through the marathon."
This announcement is a continuation of the recent additions including Thiessen, Davonte Jett-Reynolds and Ryan Drew. The latter two are focusing on the 1500m - 5,000m distances, but will do much of their training with the others. The program also is anticipating the return of Brent Leber, following his second surgical procedure on his ankle, which he injured in his final NCAA competition in May of 2022.
Eddie Garcia and Jack discussing ASICS footwear at Greenville's Fleet Feet shop.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE was established in 2012 and is in its second decade as a post-collegiate, Olympic development program. The program produced four qualifiers for the 2016 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Los Angeles, one qualifier/participant for the 2019 Pam American Games Marathon in. Lima, Peru, three qualifiers/two participants for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials Marathon in Atlanta, GA and one qualifier and participant in the 2021 USATF Olympic Track & Field Trials in the 3000m Steeplechase. The program's runners set four South Carolina State road race records in 2020 (5K, 15K and Half Marathon--twice) and three (15K, 10-Mile and 20K) in 2021. GTC-ELITE also produced the South Carolina Men's 2020 Long Distance Runner of the Year.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
The program is sponsored and supported by the 51-year-old Greenville Track Club, ASICS, Joy Real Estate (Adopt an Athlete partner), generous individual contributors and partnerships with Performance Therapy, Carolina Spine and Rehab, Roll Recovery products, FinalSurge (on-line training log), ElliptiGO, NormaTec Recovery Boots, Cocoa Elite recovery products, UCAN energy products, Coach Bob Williams Pace Calculator, the DorsiFlex (stretching device), the MOBO board (balance & mobility), On Pace Wellness (nutrition coaching) and LEVER Movement (treadmill body weight support). The club is a proud and active member of both the Road Runners Club of America and USATF.
