What Are the Benefits of Joining the Florida Track Club?

Updated

Joining the Florida Track Club (FTC) gives you access to a running community in Gainesville, Florida, that hosts monthly races across all distances and organizes running groups for people of every age and ability. The club is a non-profit organization, so membership supports local running rather than a commercial operator. You can join online through the Join page on floridatrackclub.wildapricot.org.

What the club offers

The FTC describes its mission as building the local running community and acting as a network that supports runners of all ages and abilities. Based on the club's own site, membership connects you to:

  • Monthly races of all distances — the club says it hosts races every month, so there is a recurring schedule rather than a single annual event.
  • Running groups — a dedicated section of the site points to group running as an ongoing activity.
  • A local running network — the stated purpose is to connect runners in the Gainesville area with each other.
  • A non-profit community — the FTC is a non-profit based in Gainesville, Fla., so dues and race activity feed back into the local scene.

The site also highlights a specific 2025 event, the Jack Gamble Melon Run, as an example of the kind of race the club puts on.

Who it is for

The club explicitly frames itself around "runners of all ages and abilities." That means you do not need a qualifying time or a competitive background to take part — beginners and casual runners are part of the intended audience alongside more experienced ones. If you are new to the area or new to running and want a structured way to meet people and find races, that positioning is the main draw.

How to join

  1. Go to floridatrackclub.wildapricot.org.
  2. Open the Join page from the main menu.
  3. Complete the membership signup there.

The site runs on Wild Apricot membership software, and the menu includes a Log in option with Google, Microsoft, and Apple sign-in plus a standard email/password route, which is how existing members access their accounts. The homepage does not list membership pricing, so check the Join page for current dues and terms before signing up.

Other things worth knowing

  • Race calendar: A Race Calendar page lists upcoming club races, useful if you want to try an event before committing to membership.
  • Junior Champs: A youth-focused program appears in the menu, relevant if you are looking for options for younger runners.
  • Scholarship: The Detweiler Racing Scholarship is listed on the site, indicating the club directs some resources toward supporting runners financially.
  • History and legacy: Pages on founder Jimmy Carnes and the club's legacy show it has long-standing roots in Florida running.
  • Sponsors and contact: Sponsor information is available, and the club invites you to email [email protected] if you cannot find something on the site.

If your goal is simply to run a local race, the Race Calendar may be enough. If you want regular group runs, a recurring race schedule, and to support a Gainesville non-profit, joining is the more direct route.