Who We Are
The Track Collective is a group of track and field athletes dedicated to supporting one another in our individual goals, leaving our sport less gatekept and more connected than we found it. Our mission is to build an inclusive, supportive community where information and resources are openly shared and both new and seasoned professional athletes can gather to seek guidance, advice, networking, connections, and camaraderie.
Some members of the collective have competed in the sport for many years, and are supported by sponsors. Other members are newer, and are still working to earn support from bigger financial partners. Instead of having one brand bring us together, we are united by our shared passion for sport and a desire to pour into our fellow athletes.
We know every athlete is more than just an athlete and we are committed to supporting their growth as people in addition to their athletic pursuits. All of our members are encouraged to have passion projects outside of what they do on the track, and members will actively support each other’s endeavors.
How it all started.
The idea for The Collective began in the summer of 2022 when Katie Camarena, a recent graduate of Portland State University, wanted to pursue professional running. While Katie knew she had more potential as an athlete, the path to professional running wasn’t as clear for someone who didn’t go to a “big name school” or have a NCAA title. For an athlete like Katie, buying time after graduation to continue developing is tricky. Having the proper information, resources, and connections to current professional athletes in the industry is key, and they were difficult to find.
In the summer of 2021, Olympian Colleen Quigley, who had left the Bowerman Track Club after six years, found herself training alone for the first time. She was quickly reminded that, while track and field is an individual sport, training alone is unsustainable. Luckily, through a shared coaching connection, a training partnership formed between Katie and Colleen. It was a match made in runner heaven, and proved to be a lifeline for them both.
Shortly after Katie and Colleen began training together, they started discussing the creation of a support system for developmental runners who are in the same situation as Katie. Research revealed that there are many athletes who have untapped potential and a continued passion for the sport. But as athletes without NCAA titles or sponsors to sign them approach graduation and face the decision of turning pro or hanging up their spikes, where do they go for guidance?
So, Colleen & Katie decided to create The Track Collective.
“We believe there is space at the table for everyone. We want to empower athletes to take up that space by creating a community where information and resources are openly shared. Where athletes can go to seek guidance, advice, connections and camaraderie.”
