JTCRunning was founded and organized at the Yates YMCA on Riverside Avenue on October 28, 1975, as a result of interest expressed by area runners at the Bold City Run earlier that month. The club was founded as "The Jacksonville Track Club" and the founding members were:
Rodney Smith Doug McElhinney Jack Bailey Tom Skordas
Pam Peterson Cheyney Wells John Geren Jay Birmingham
Harris Stebbins Lamar Strother John TenBroeck
Soon after the founding, Saturday fun runs were initiated at the South Campus of Florida Junior College (now FCCJ). By January 1976, club membership had reached 39 members.
Our first sponsored race was the Winter Beach Run in February 1976. The Mile Festival was first run at Craig Field in April 1976. That summer, the JTC assumed the management of the Summer Beach Run from the Jacksonville Rugby Club. The River Run 15000 (now the Gate River Run) made its debut in March 1978.
The Last Gasp was founded in 1977, the Women’s Run (now CASH in the Spring) in 1978, and the Ginger Fannin Couples Relay in 1985. The Summer Track Series debuted in 1979. The Ravines Run first appeared in the early 1980’s and then resumed in 2001. The Guana River 50 km Trail Run & Relay began in 2002.
Name Change
The Jacksonville Track Club became JTCRunning in February 2007.
Legal Aspects
JTCRunning was incorporated in Florida on December 31, 1975. By-laws, approved shortly thereafter, were amended occasionally over the next twenty years. In February 1997, a complete by-laws revision was approved by the Board of Directors. In March 1977, a policy was approved that limited the number of board meetings a director could miss and still retain his/her seat.
Section 501(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code exempts JTCRunning from federal income tax. The exemption is based on JTCRunning's affiliation with the Road Runners Club of America. However, the treasurer must file an annual report with IRS. JTCRunning is exempt from paying Florida sales taxes as of February 24, 2004.
To continue the benefits of our incorporation, the club files an annual report with Florida’s Secretary of State. John S. Duss IV is JTCRunning's registered agent.
Florida laws require, that a file of race registrations be maintained for at least 5 years for liability purposes. Those documents should be stored at the JTC Running warehouse.
JTCRunning's races are the legal property of the club. That precept was established in a 1983 countersuit against several persons who tried to assume control of the River Run 15000.
Equipment
JTCRunning owns over $10,000 worth of equipment and supplies that are stored at our warehouse (Mandarin Mini Storage) and at the Alred and Strother homes.
US Mail
The JTCRunning mailing address is: PO Box 24667, Jacksonville FL, 32241 and is located at the postal facility on Sunbeam Road. Our non-profit bulk mailing permit allows reduced rates on mailings of 200 or more identical pieces. Bulk mail is now forwarded at an extra cost of $.50 to JTCRunning so members should update mailing address changes with the membership chairman and/or the secretary ASAP.
Telephone ~ E-mail ~ Web Site
The JTCRunning phone number is (904) 384-8725 and is equipped with recorded updates of club activities and an answering machine. It is located at the Strother residence. The JTC Running e-mail address is TBD. Those members who sign up for the JTC Running E-Mail Club receive regular updates on club activities. The JTCRunning web site is www.jtcrunning.com and is managed by Trib La Prade.
Finances
The bulk of our income is derived from race entry fees, sponsorships, membership dues, donations, dividends, and interest. JTCRunning's Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer are responsible for managing and recording all JTCRunning transactions, investments, and accounts.
JTCRunning has regularly contributed funds to deserving individuals, local collegiate running programs, and large high school invitational meets. School teams and organizations are able to receive funds by working at JTCRunning's races.
Affiliations
JTCRunning joined the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) in 1979 and JTC delegates have attended every RRCA national convention since then except for 1990 and 2006. The RRCA, founded in 1958, is a confederation of running clubs that disseminates information, approaches running concerns on a national basis, publishes the quarterly Footnotes magazine, and provides club liability insurance.
JTCRunning is also a member of USA Track & Field – the national governing body of running and walking sports. Through USATF, we obtain practice insurance, race course certification, and sanctioning for our championship events. JTCRunning delegates regularly attend USATF-Florida Association and National meetings.
Membership
Membership in JTCRunning is contingent upon our receipt of a membership application/renewal and appropriate dues. Current membership categories are for individuals or families. A discounted three year membership was first offered in 2003.
Newsletter
Our bi-monthly newsletter, “The Starting Line”, is managed by the appointed editor, John Curran, and includes event calendars, results, board minutes, articles, and announcements. Submissions and advertising are welcome.
“The Runner”
JTCRunning commissioned a life-size statue of a runner in 2001. It was donated to the City of Jacksonville and installed on the Riverwalk at the foot of Newnan Street in 2002.
Group Runs
Current group runs include interval workouts at the Bolles School track as well as others at various locations during the week. JTCRunning's newsletter "The Starting Line" and this web site have details.
Board of Directors
JTCRunning's Board of Directors, consisting of 5 to 20 members, manages the club.
