About Us
Our Story
Founded in 1991, Rainier Beach Track Club has been dedicated to developing young athletes in the Rainier Beach and South Seattle communities. Initially practicing at Rainier Beach High School, the club provided local youth with opportunities to compete in the Hershey and Jesse Owens track and field programs, even sending athletes to national competitions in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
With a strong emphasis on individual athletic development, the club expanded its focus in 1994 to include performance training, preparing athletes for the USATF Junior Olympics. Over the past three decades, our athletes have achieved remarkable success, producing seven national champions and over 85 All-Americans.
Our Mission
Rainier Beach Track Club is committed to empowering youth through track and field, fostering not only athletic excellence but also personal growth, discipline, and resilience. In 2024, we became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, allowing us to further expand our impact and serve even more young athletes across South Seattle.
Join Us
Whether you're an aspiring athlete, a supportive parent, or a community member looking to make a difference, we invite you to be part of the Rainier Beach Track Club family. Together, we’re building champions—on and off the track.
Our Coaching Philosophy
At Rainier Beach Track Club, we believe in more than just competition—we focus on the holistic development of our athletes.
Our coaching philosophy is built on four key pillars:
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Fun: We foster a positive environment that promotes smiles while working hard.
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Exploration: Every child has the opportunity to try a range of athletic events.
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Fundamentals: We build and develop an athletic foundation that extends beyond the track.
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Growth: We empower kids with the skills to challenge themselves and achieve personal goals.
By focusing on these principles, we strive for every athlete, regardless of their experience level, has the opportunity to grow, improve, and enjoy the sport.
Volunteers
Our volunteer coaching staff is composed of members from the local community who are committed and dedicated to serving young athletes and the mission of the organization. Many of our coaches are former track and field athletes with a long history of coaching with Rainier Beach Track Club.
In the spirit of the organization’s community focus, we also have parents that support our coaches by helping out at training sessions. Whether that’s raking the sand in the long jump pit or helping athletes follow sprint training instructions from the coach.
If you’re interested in volunteering to coach, please contact us!
Meet The Coaches
Coach HA
Heather Ann (Coach HA) has supported youth and adult runners in cross-country, track, and road racing. Her passion for continuing coaching was inspired when her ten-year-old son discovered his love of running, which led to her coaching the distance program with the Rainier Beach Track Club.
Coach Tom
Coach Tom has been a dedicated coach with Rainier Beach Track Club since 2018, after first joining as a parent volunteer in 2017. With nearly a decade of experience guiding youth and high school athletes, he brings a thoughtful, athlete centered approach to every training session and competition.
Anne Smith Basco, Yoga therapist
yoga
Anne's son, Aiden Basco developed a strong track foundation at RBTC. Coaches Matt and Vic played a pivotal role in developing Aiden's love for training and track skills. Anne is giving back to the club with holding yoga sessions for caregivers to participate in during practices.