🎤 Winter Seminar Speaker: Craig Engels
Craig Engels will be the featured speaker at Twin City Track Club’s Winter Seminar scheduled for January 3, 2026. Engels is one of the most exciting and recognizable middle-distance runners in American track and field. Known for his charismatic personality, signature mullet, and fearless racing style, he has consistently competed at the elite level in the 1500 meters and the mile.
🌟 Career and Achievements
A native of Pfafftown, North Carolina, Engels began his standout running career locally at Ronald W. Reagan High School. He went on to compete collegiately for both North Carolina State University and the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he found great success, including multiple All-American honors.
As a professional athlete, Engels secured the prestigious US National Championship titles in the 1500m (outdoor, 2019) and the Mile (indoor, 2019). He proudly represented Team USA at the 2019 World Athletics Championships, where he made the final, finishing 10th in the 1500m.
📈 Recent Focus and Olympic Ambitions
Engels is no stranger to the intensity of chasing Olympic dreams. He has repeatedly been a top finisher at the U.S. Olympic Trials, most notably finishing 4th in the 1500m final in 2021 and placing 9th in the deep field at the 2024 Trials.
He is a Nike-sponsored athlete and currently trains under his former college coach, Ryan Vanhoy, a relationship he re-established in late 2022 to guide his latest pursuit of international medals. Engels’ journey is a compelling story of perseverance, passion, and finding balance in the demanding world of professional sports.
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Winter Seminar Details
The TCTC Winter Seminar is an annual event held every year since 1988 that features runner focused speakers in a social setting. The primary purpose is to inspire, educate and entertain seminar attendees. The seminar is open to anyone who registers to attend.
This year, we are hosting our Winter Seminar the weekend of January 2-3, 2026 with American middle-distance runner & local native Craig Engels! Craig will participate in the Frosty Fifty races on Saturday, January 3 and will be the featured speaker for evening events.
The Winter Seminar includes both a Social Event and a Talk. Registrants can sign up for both the social and the talk, or for the talk only. The social event and the talk will take place JDL Fasttrack at 2502 Empire Drive in west Winston-Salem.
Special pricing is available for TCTC members and for students (21 and younger).