Hartford Track Club History

The Hartford Track Club has a long and interesting history. Please contact the web master if you have any history to share!

Club Presidents

Thoughts from Bill Tribou

Bill Tribou is a former club president and newsletter columnist. To read some words of wisdom from Bill, click here.

The Hartford Track Club was formed in 1962. Charter members were Charley Dyson, Bill Smith, Willie Gagnon, Bob Bamberger and Don Pirie. In 1965, Bamberger moved to Boston and Pirie stopped running for awhile leaving the club with just 3 members for a couple of years.

In December of 1962, the club organized a race, which was called the "Holiday 6". This race was run annually at Keney Park in Hartford and attracted fields of up to 30 runners. In the late sixties, I believe it was in 1969, the race was moved to Goodwin Park and became the forerunner of the annual Joe Vailonis race. From 1969 to 1972 the club co-sponsored the Southington Elks road race. Also, beginning in 1969, the club sponsored the annual Masters State Championship 5K race in Southington. This race was run from Bill Bunton's house and was known far and wide for the great post-race buffet put on in his garage. In 1975, the Hamden Y.M.C.A. took over this race.

In 1967, the club membership grew to 14 and then up to 18 in 1968. Dues were $1.00 a year. The club joined the A.A.U. briefly in 1965 but had to cancel its membership due to lack of funds to pay the annual dues. In 1968, we rejoined and have been a member ever since.

In view of the complete absence of road races in the area during the winter months, the club began a series of winter races in 1972 for club members only and these "Winter Series" races continue to be held every weekend during the winter months.

The Hartford Track Club Newsletter was first published in 1972. The newsletter was printed irregularly whenever there was enough club news to warrant the postage cost of sending it out.

In 1972, the club sponsored its first social event - a club picnic at Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury. Also, Bob Gardner was named as our first official club representative to the CT A.A.U.

In 1975, Cindi Cassidy became the first female member of the club. In that same year we also passed the 150 memberships number.

In 1976, we had at least 8 women members including Cyndi Cassidy, Lisa Berry, Karen Saunders, Vera Lord, Carolyn Bravakis, Flo Dempsey, Joan Martens and Jeanne LeHowillier. At the end of 1977, we had 23 women runners in the club and from there the number took off.

As everyone knows we now have 500 members more or less and I bet at least half are Females.