Westfield Coach Co-Founds Statewide Running Club

In an effort to provide runners of all skill levels a network to train and stay active throughout the year,  assistant boys track coach  and New Brunswick High School head cross country coach Chuck Schneekloth recently created the non-profit Garden State Track Club.

The club is open to residents across New Jersey and will hold its first event, a two-person 10K road relay, at Buccleuch Park in New Brunswick on Sunday, February 27 at 11 a.m.

Tafelski and Schneekloth met as teammates on the Rutgers University cross country and track teams. Schneekloth went on to coach high school running in Oakland, CA. There he learned about the Bay Area Track Club, which began in the fall of 2009, and saw the potential in creating a statewide running club in New Jersey.

"There is a really well organized club running scene around San Francisco, and it inspired him," Tafelski said. "Most of the conceptual idea for our club came from him."

Tafelski and Schneekloth wanted their organization to be comprised of experienced and amateur runners. Still in its infancy, the GSTC now has 30 members and is achieving its primary goal. The club’s makeup ranges from high school and former collegiate runners, to people who are new to competitive running.

They have team workouts every Tuesday night and Sunday morning, and offer individualized coaching plans. Tafelski believes the camaraderie of running with a group is a very strong motivating force, especially in the winter when it’s more desirable to stay indoors.

"It’s the team environment in high school and college that gets you out the door," he said. "But beyond college many people fall into a certain routine, and often stop running consistently."

While there are plenty of running clubs throughout the country, the GSTC distinguishes itself by providing sprinters with the opportunity to compete in short distance track races.

"Distance runners have a lot of options out there, but we fill a need for sprinters," Tafelski said. "We have a solid group of sprinters running in Metuchen now."

The club also focuses heavily on assistance for underprivileged runners. They offer transportation to races, and hope to supply equipment further down the line. Everything they do makes a contribution back to the community. So far their efforts have been focused in New Brunswick.

As the club grows, however, Tafelski and Schneekloth plan to branch out to all parts of the state. The first step in this development is the 10K road relay later this month.

In order to finance the event, sponsorship deals have been made and donations are being accepted. Membership fees, which are just $30 per year, are also going toward the road relay.

Interested runners must sign up for the relay as teams of two. Teammates will take alternating turns in the four-leg race, and as a result each participant will only run 2.5 km at a time.

"Each leg will be a little less than two laps in a contained area of Buccleuch Park," Tafelski said.

Although outdoor races are uncommon in February, Tafelski thinks it’s proper timing for the GSTC.

"February is a challenging time to be a runner, but if people have something to train for they will run," he said. "It’s also in between high school track seasons, and having this race will encourage students to keep training."

After the 10K, Tafelski and Schneekloth hope to schedule four evening track meets between May and July. Much of what the GSTC can accomplish both in terms of races and helping underprivileged runners will depend on its membership.

"The more members we get, the better running experience it will be for everybody," Tafelski said.

For more information on the GSTC and to download an application for the 10K road relay, visit www.gardenstatetc.org.