Club History

Pilgrimage Track Club started as a loosely organized group of runners in 1986 in Eugene, Oregon. We created the club so that several runners from all over the United States could claim an affiliation beyond "unattached" during the mid-1980s at Eugene All-comers meets and various invitational track meets. All of us were on a "pilgrimage" to Eugene. Now we are all on a Pilgrimage to Boston and other top races. The club moved throughout the country, showing up in Pensacola, Florida, for several years (90-93) until arriving in Memphis, Tennessee, in June 1993 where it continues to grow. In April 2001, the club became an official USAT&F National Club (club No. 15-2037). We were a Regulation 8 B-1 club and considered a C1 club - Competitive club. As of January 1, 2004, USATF announced that national clubs will be eliminated in favor of association clubs only. We now are a member club in the Tennessee USATF Association as of January 1, 2004. We are club no. 159 in the Tennessee Association. Most recently, on November 20, 2004, the Club voted to pursue the Elite Development Club status of the USATF. We will submit our paperwork in early 2005 with a goal of gaining this designation at the 2005 annual meeting for 2006. Mark Newman became the first member of the club to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials as a member. Newman previously qualified in 1996 and 2000 for his shoe sponsor. Brenda Walton, still a top master's runner, had also qualified for the women's Olympic Trials marathon in 1996 prior to becoming a member of the club.

CLUB MISSION

Our club mission is to provide technical guidance as to training and competition schedules, provide logistical support, negotiate for athletes, advise as to available medical services, make provisions for equipment, encourage educational pursuits to prepare for life after competition and encourage participation in national and international competition sponsored by USATF and the IAAF.

The story goes that Brian Fendrich, Joe Curtin and Bradley Cordts were on a run in Eugene, Oregon, trying to come up with a name for the club. We all came from somewhere far away to run in Eugene, in the mists of history that is Hayward Field. At thte time, REM was the band that bound us, and fittingly enough, they had a song that had completely unintelligible lyrics but a title we loved - Pilgrimage - has gained momentum.

JOIN THE TEAM

Email me for an application:

bcordts@midsouth.rr.com

DUES

2006 DUES - DUE ON NOVEMBER 1, 2005- Official Racing Team

$5 plus USATF NUMBER which is currently $20 online for official - team roster listing.

Click on the USATF Link below to get a USATF membership in the TN association, and make sure you select our club no. 159.

Dues are due on or before November of each year so that we can add you to the next year's roster.

AFFILIATED MEMBER - We also offer a membership for those that want to be Pilgrims but have other team commitments or are outside the local association. Just send us $20 for all the benefits of memberships except you must get your USTAF number on your own, and you might not be able to race in USATF team competitions for us. You may be able to race on a team at selected events not controlled by USATF. You can purchase or check out a uniform. See the uniform shop elsewhere in this web. Go to the home page and then to uniforms.

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