Achieve Your Victory!
The 2024-2025 Track Shack Running Series presented by AdventHealth, themed "Achieve Your Victory," is now in full stride. We are privileged to introduce you to a diverse group of runners and walkers who have embraced the challenge with determination and passion.
From seasoned athletes chasing personal records to newcomers taking their first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, each one brings a unique story and motivation to the start line.
Join us as we celebrate their perseverance, dedication, and unwavering spirit in pursuit of their goals. These are the champions among us, and their stories are sure to ignite your own journey towards victory.
Gigi has been running with Track Shack since 2012. While she doesn’t consider herself a "fast" runner, the joy of starting and finishing each race keeps her motivated. “The joy of running and finishing a race is enough to keep me going,” she shares. Crossing the finish line, no matter the time, gives her a sense of achievement that brings her back year after year.
Participating in the Running Series has also provided Gigi with a supportive community and a way to stay committed. “The races are well-organized, and the staff is always helpful,” she says. The energy and connections at each event make every race an experience she treasures. For Gigi, it’s about showing up, challenging herself, and enjoying the process.
Running has also become a meaningful family tradition. “The most memorable moment was when both of my sons started joining me at every race,” she shares. It’s a way to bond and teach her sons the value of commitment and perseverance. Over the years, Gigi has grown in both her mindset and running, focusing on consistent effort rather than speed while embracing the journey.
Neftali began his running journey four years ago, inspired by watching his brother Alex train solo. Wanting to support him, Neftali became his running partner, pacing alongside him mile after mile. Through their runs together, he discovered how deeply running can connect people and create a true sense of family.
Motivated by his brother’s coaching, Neftali set a goal of placing in the top five of the Running Series and went on to achieve an incredible third place last year. "I thrive on the challenge of committing to each race and pushing myself to be my best," he shares. "I want to inspire others in the community to pursue their own goals and give their best in every race."
Neftali’s story reminds us that victory is not just about crossing the finish line but about connecting with others and pushing past our limits.
When Rebecca moved back home to Orlando, her friend Julie recommended she sign up for the Track Shack Running Series as a Fanatic. Julie became her unofficial coach, and after the first 5k, she was hooked. Running became her favorite social outlet.
Now a busy mom of two, running has taken on a more important purpose in her life. After leaving her career to raise her children, running allows her to pursue goals through races. "My boys can see that I am working hard to get stronger and faster," she says.
Like many women, Rebecca found she became a faster and stronger runner after becoming a mother. Her motivation and focus are much stronger, and she went from running 35-minute 5ks in 2014 to 20-minute 5ks last year.
Her decade with Track Shack has taught her a great deal about running and empowered her to believe she could be an athlete. "The Running Series gives everyone the opportunity to compete with a great field of runners in an excellent race environment."
Meet Brian, whose race goal transcends personal achievement. Running with a 42lb. rucksack, Brian pays homage to two cherished figures in his life: a grandfather who served in WWII and a father who bravely fought in Vietnam. Though both have since passed away, their legacy lives on through Brian's unwavering spirit on the road.
"This ruck sack is more than just weight," Brian explains. "It symbolizes the strength and sacrifices of those who served before me."
Every step taken with the weighty rucksack is a step of tribute, honoring not only the memory of loved ones but also the dedication of those currently in service. It’s a gesture of solidarity, recognizing the challenges faced by modern-day heroes who protect our freedoms. "I might not be the fastest," Brian admits, "but with every stride, I feel their presence, urging me onward."
Brian became a Fanatic in 2021, finding joy and fulfillment in participating in the Track Shack Running Series as part of the supportive community fostered by his company’s run club.
Brian embodies the spirit of "Achieving your Victory," reminding us all that victory comes not only in speed or distance but also in honoring those who have paved the way.
Gian moved to the United States from Venezuela in 2017, bringing with him a passion for running that had defined much of his life. However, adjusting to a new routine and a demanding work schedule made it challenging for him to maintain his running habit. In 2019, a chance discovery of Track Shack on social media reignited his enthusiasm. His first race in the Series was AdventHealth Run 4 Love 4 Mile, where he rekindled his love for the sport.
Since then, Gian's journey has been nothing short of inspiring. In 2022, he achieved a major milestone by completing his first marathon at the Chicago Marathon. His dedication and perseverance earned him the title of Fanatic – SuperFan in 2023.
Gian reflects on his running experiences with a sense of joy and accomplishment, stating, “No matter the miles of the race, I always applaud them and celebrate them like the first time.” Gian's story is a testament to the power of passion and community in achieving personal victories.
First timers, Zayn and Asima signed up as Fanatics to get themselves moving. Zayn doesn’t compete in team sports, so they needed a fitness goal like completing the Track Shack Running Series presented by AdventHealth to stay motivated.
But it's not just the exercise that keeps this mother-son duo coming back. They bond during the sleepy early morning drives to the races and treat themselves to breakfast together after almost every race.
Asima shares, “It's so important for him to see that I try my best, but that I'm not necessarily the best, and that's okay. I'm just out here competing against myself! He was worried about his times in the beginning, but now he just has fun and is proud that he got up and ran.”
Mom-son fitness goal achieved!
Romelie found her love of running through Track Shack and her longtime employer, Hannover Re. Her first Track Shack event was the 2017 IOA Corporate 5K as a “Walker”. She then became a Fanatic in 2018. Fast forward to the present – she’s participated in over 50 Track Shack events and has recruited her friends, family and colleagues to participate in races and become Fanatics just like her. She ran her first half marathon in 2020 and her first full marathon in 2023! This year she plans on running the Chicago Marathon and credits Track Shack and the Series with fueling her love of running to be able to run a World Major Marathon.
For Romelie, it's all about the swag, the cheering crowds, the post-race fun and the fact that committing to 6 races each season keeps her motivated to go out there and run every week.
Her enthusiasm is contagious – she wants to continue to inspire as many people as she can to come out to run or walk and to just have fun every step of the way.
Share Your Fanatic Story!
Are you a current or past Fanatic? We'd love to invite you to share your personal victory goal with us. What are you aiming to achieve during the running series? Whether it's conquering a new distance, setting a personal best time, or simply having fun, we want to hear about it! Click here to share your story.
