Greenville Track Club-ELITE - a post-collegiate, Olympic-development program
8 USA Olympic Trials Qualifiers
established 2012
8 USA Olympic Trials Qualifiers
established 2012
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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 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. 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  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.
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 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. South Carolina Road Race Rankings |
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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.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE's Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel are ranked second and third in the most recent South Carolina Road Race Rankings published by USATF State Record Keeper Bill Marable. Garcia, coming off his recent victories at the Sunrise 8K and the Red, White and Blue Shoes 5K, moved into second place in the new rankings. Weitzel had been ranked second for 20 consecutive months before the August rankings. 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 fifth and sixth, respectively.
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 fifth and sixth, respectively.
South Carolina Road Race Rankings
as of August 5, 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.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE is excited to announce that Ryan Drew will be relocating to Greenville to join the post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. Ryan graduated in 2022 from Liberty University in Virginia, where he was also a graduate assistant in 2022-23.
Ryan has personal bests of 3:41.26 for 1500 meters, 4:01.27 (Indoor Mile), 7:52.81 (Indoor 3,000m) and 13:40.82 (5,000m). During his collegiate career he earned ten All Conference (ASUN) honors, including multiple Indoor Mile titles and podium placings.
"We are very excited to have Ryan 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 an excellent training partner in new addition Davonte Jett-Reynolds as they target the 1500, mile, 3000m and 5000m. We expect them to lower our current program records in the near future." Those two athletes join GTC-ELITE veterans Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel and newer additions Karl Thiessen and Brent Leber.
“I am blessed and excited to join the Greenville Track Club-ELITE group in Greenville, SC to continue my running career at the pro level," stated Ryan from his home in Virginia Beach, VA. "I’d like to thank Coach Mike and the team sponsors for this opportunity to run professionally and chase some fast times. I am looking forward to moving to the great city of Greenville and getting ready to work with the team.”
Ryan has personal bests of 3:41.26 for 1500 meters, 4:01.27 (Indoor Mile), 7:52.81 (Indoor 3,000m) and 13:40.82 (5,000m). During his collegiate career he earned ten All Conference (ASUN) honors, including multiple Indoor Mile titles and podium placings.
"We are very excited to have Ryan 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 an excellent training partner in new addition Davonte Jett-Reynolds as they target the 1500, mile, 3000m and 5000m. We expect them to lower our current program records in the near future." Those two athletes join GTC-ELITE veterans Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel and newer additions Karl Thiessen and Brent Leber.
“I am blessed and excited to join the Greenville Track Club-ELITE group in Greenville, SC to continue my running career at the pro level," stated Ryan from his home in Virginia Beach, VA. "I’d like to thank Coach Mike and the team sponsors for this opportunity to run professionally and chase some fast times. I am looking forward to moving to the great city of Greenville and getting ready to work with the team.”
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
Greenville Track Club-ELITE teammates Eddie Garcia and Jason Weitzel took the lead from the start and covered the 5K route on Furman University's beautiful campus in quick times of 14:38 and 14:45, respectively, to place first and second in the field of just over 1000. The annual race, celebrating our nation's birthday, was conducted in warm and very humid conditions and is a fund raiser for the Blue Shoes Scholarship for Furman's Cross Country/Track program.
Garcia led Weitzel by a small margin for the entire race and finished with one of the fastest times in the event's history. He is currently ranked third in the South Carolina Road Race Rankings, behind only James Quattlebaum and Weitzel. It was Eddie's second consecutive victory as he recently won the Sunrise Run 8K in a course record 24:07. Both he and Jason are scheduled to compete at the USATF 20K Championships on Labor Day in New Haven, CT.
Garcia led Weitzel by a small margin for the entire race and finished with one of the fastest times in the event's history. He is currently ranked third in the South Carolina Road Race Rankings, behind only James Quattlebaum and Weitzel. It was Eddie's second consecutive victory as he recently won the Sunrise Run 8K in a course record 24:07. Both he and Jason are scheduled to compete at the USATF 20K Championships on Labor Day in New Haven, CT.
Top Three Finishers: Noah Woodbury (3rd/16:27), Jason Weitzel (2nd/14:45) and Eddie Garcia (1st/14:38).
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 remain ranked second and third in the most recent South Carolina Road Race Rankings published by USATF State Record Keeper Bill Marable. Weitzel maintains the runner-up ranking for the 20th consecutive month, behind only 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 and recent won the 44th edition of the Sunrise Run 8K in a course record time of 24:07. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
Garcia, was the 2020 SCLD Runner of the Year in 2020 and recent won the 44th edition of the Sunrise Run 8K in a course record time of 24:07. GTC-ELITE alums Ricky Flynn (Greenville) and Roland Hakes (now residing in Columbia) are ranked fifth and sixth, respectively.
South Carolina Road Race Rankings
as of July 3, 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.
Greenville Track Club-ELITE is excited to announce that University of Tennessee graduate Karl Thiessen will be relocating to Greenville to join the post-collegiate, Olympic-development program. Karl earned an undergraduate degree in Supply Chain Management in May of 2023 and is currently completing his Masters degree.
He has personal bests of 4:11.62 (Indoor Mile), 8:09.78 (Indoor 3,000m), 14:07.17 (Indoor 5,000m), 14:02.11 (Outdoor 5,000m) and 28:59.71 (10,000m). His many collegiate honors include: 3 x USTFCCCA Cross Country All-South Region and 3 x Cross Country All-SEC Second Team. Karl is from Abingdon, VA, and was a two-time high school state champion in Cross County before being recruited to Tennessee.
"We believe Karl will be an excellent addition to our program and is a good fit with our current athletes, Eduardo Garcia and Jason Weitzel," commented Director/Coach Mike Caldwell. "All three of those guys have Personal Bests in the same range and should benefit from training together. We also just announced that Davonte Jett-Reynolds is joining the group, which should help all four of them in training together."
Regarding his next chapter, Karl stated, "I am extremely excited to join the GTC-ELITE group and continue my pursuance of running fast times. This is an awesome opportunity in the beautiful city of Greenville. Thank you to Coach Mike all of the the team sponsors that made this opportunity happen. I am am ready to get to Greenville and get to work!"
He has personal bests of 4:11.62 (Indoor Mile), 8:09.78 (Indoor 3,000m), 14:07.17 (Indoor 5,000m), 14:02.11 (Outdoor 5,000m) and 28:59.71 (10,000m). His many collegiate honors include: 3 x USTFCCCA Cross Country All-South Region and 3 x Cross Country All-SEC Second Team. Karl is from Abingdon, VA, and was a two-time high school state champion in Cross County before being recruited to Tennessee.
"We believe Karl will be an excellent addition to our program and is a good fit with our current athletes, Eduardo Garcia and Jason Weitzel," commented Director/Coach Mike Caldwell. "All three of those guys have Personal Bests in the same range and should benefit from training together. We also just announced that Davonte Jett-Reynolds is joining the group, which should help all four of them in training together."
Regarding his next chapter, Karl stated, "I am extremely excited to join the GTC-ELITE group and continue my pursuance of running fast times. This is an awesome opportunity in the beautiful city of Greenville. Thank you to Coach Mike all of the the team sponsors that made this opportunity happen. I am am ready to get to Greenville and get to work!"
Jason Weitzel, Karl Thiessen & Eddie Garcia in downtown GVL
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.
