Twin City Track Club kicked off 2026 with a memorable Winter Seminar featuring elite professional runner Craig Engels, drawing 86 runners, walkers, and fans from across our community for an engaging and refreshingly candid evening at the JDL Fast Track
Earlier that morning, Engels set the tone for the weekend by toeing the line at the Frosty Fifty 12.5K, racing in a Reagan High School singlet and wearing bib #1—an unmistakable sign that this was not just a speaking engagement, but a true runner’s weekend. Seeing a world-class athlete line up alongside local runners perfectly captured the spirit of Twin City Track Club.
A Conversation, Not a Lecture
Rather than a scripted presentation, the seminar took the form of a relaxed and insightful conversation moderated by longtime club supporter and respected local running voice Brant Armentrout. The question-and-answer format kept the evening lively, personal, and accessible—allowing Engels to speak candidly and personally to an audience in his home town.
As one club member noted, the format played to everyone’s strengths. Engels came across as genuine and unfiltered, while Armentrout skillfully guided the discussion, balancing humor, insight, and thoughtful pacing. His recent recognition in the local press only reinforced why he was such a natural choice to lead the evening.
Running, Balance, and Perspective
While Engels touched only briefly on traditional training specifics, his reflections on lifestyle and mental health resonated deeply with the audience. He spoke openly about living with ADHD and how running helped settle his mind, sharpen his focus, and support better decision-making—both on and off the track.
One particularly impactful theme was balance. Engels emphasized the importance of not pushing the body into constant exhaustion, reminding runners that “sometimes less is more.” Allowing space for recovery and good sleep (Engels sleeps 9 hours per night), he explained, gives the body time to rebuild and ultimately perform better—advice that rang true for runners of all levels in the room.
A World-Class Venue for a Growing Club
The setting itself added to the significance of the evening. The recently reopened JDL Fast Track, with its rare banked indoor surface, is already being recognized as a premier facility in the Southeast. As shared during the event, banked tracks of this caliber are uncommon in our region, and the JDL is expected to host local, state, and even national indoor records in the years ahead.
Hosting the Winter Seminar in such a facility underscored Twin City Track Club’s growing role in the regional running community and our commitment to providing high-quality experiences for members.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Winter Seminar was more than just an event—it was a reminder of why Twin City Track Club thrives: shared experiences, thoughtful conversations, and a welcoming community that brings elite athletes and everyday runners together under one roof.
Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, and helped make the evening a success. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to offer events that educate, inspire, and strengthen our running community.
