Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Nov. 13, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After an Olympic cycle that saw three Mammoth Track Club athletes, Meb Keflezighi, Moran Uceny and Amy Hastings, compete in London, the Mammoth Track Club is excited to announce new leadership, expanded membership and the opening of a new track & field facility.
Olympic bronze medal marathoner and US record-holder Deena Kastor will take over as president of the club's board, helping guide the long-term vision of the track club to promote running from youth to masters.
Coach Andrew Kastor, Deena's husband, will serve as the head coach of the MTC. Kastor's coaching style has allowed him to work successfully with a variety of athletes and talent, from local runners to elites, as the coaching director of LA Roadrunners and the LA Marathon. Andrew will employ the same philosophies in leading the Mammoth Track Club that earned the team's success in the past.
For the first time, the Mammoth Track Club will open its membership to both elite and recreational runners as it merges with the High Sierra Striders, a Mammoth Lakes-based running club. The new organization will cater to not only elite athletes but also recreational, promoting running from youth to college to masters categories.
"With the track's completion and another Olympic cycle underway, this is a great opportunity for these two running clubs to join forces," said Deena Kastor. "The High Sierra Striders, the organization responsible for bringing the high-performance track project to fruition, and the Mammoth Track Club, whose great accomplishments are credited with bringing global recognition to Mammoth Lakes, can make a greater impact together."
Further strengthening the club, Olympic coaches Joe Vigil, Bob Larson and Terrence Mahon will be on the MammothTrack Club's newly created Elite Advisory Board. "We will always place a lot of emphasis on the great minds who have molded this club in the past while seeing tremendous capabilities for the future," said Andrew Kastor.
Track & Field Facility Opens November 17th
On November 17th a new track and field facility will open at an elevation of 7,100 feet above sea level with a nine-lane all-weather polyurethane track and synthetic turf infield.
"Mammoth Lakes is widely regarded as a premier high-altitude training ground, and with the track opening we expect to draw even more athletes from around the world," added Deena Kastor.
The Mammoth Track Club is also announcing an expanded slate of events and camps, including the Mammoth Lakes Relays, a new event in May 2013 at the new track & field facility.
According to Elaine Smith, Executive Director for the club, "We're adding running camps, races, and clinics to our schedule of summer events to extend our mission and encourage many more athletes to visit Mammoth Lakes to enjoy this runners' paradise." Also new for 2013 is a sister race to the San Diego Half Marathon (Mar. 10) to be held at altitude in Mammoth Lakes on June 23rd.
Information about Mammoth Track Club membership, the new track facility and more can be found at www.mammothtrackclub.com.
About Mammoth Track Club
Since 2001, Mammoth Track Club (formerly RunningUSA) athletes have won two Olympic medals, six major marathons and 13 World Cross Country Championship medals, earned 12 Olympic team berths, set one world road record, 23 national records and numerous personal records, earned 86 national titles. In short, over the past 12 years, it is the most accomplished distance running group in the United States.