Track Shack opened its doors on Mills Avenue in September 1977, founded by three runners and local businessmen who recognized the need for a store dedicated to the running community. Just three months later, Jon Hughes took over as manager, and within six months purchased one partner’s share—and literally began to “run” the show.
Around the same time, Betsy Mackenzie (now Hughes) joined the team, working a few days a week after track practice. Today Track Shack remains a family-owned business on the same downtown Orlando street, rooted in community and driven by purpose. Today, Track Shack is known for its trusted retail expertise, and also for producing Central Florida’s most beloved road races, offering year-round training programs, and supporting youth wellness through the Track Shack Youth Foundation.
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Launch of the redesigned TrackShack.com.
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OUC Orlando Half Marathon Weekend expands to two-day running event, including the new DTO 16.2 Challenge presented by Orangetheory Fitness, where runners can take on both the OUC Orlando Half Marathon and the Track Shack Lake Eola 5K.
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OUC Orlando Half Marathon established Athlete Development Program and increase the prize money to $24,000.
Expo & Bib Pickup presented by Brooks debuts. -
The shoe wall get a makeover.
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In partnership with the City of Orlando and GoSports, Track Shack co-hosted the 2024 - U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon.
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WESH partnership began, with full TV coverage of OUC Orlando Half Marathon.
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Orlando selected as Host City for the 2024 - U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Marathon.
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Mayor Dyer proclaimed August 24, 2022, as “Track Shack 45th Anniversary Day in the City of Orlando.”
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Track Shack voted one of the 50 Best Running Stores in America.
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Jon and Betsy Hughes received the Chairman’s Award of Excellence at the SPORTYS.
Tom Ward, longtime VP of Operations (now retired), was awarded the Best in Game Day Operations at the SPORTYS. -
OUC Orlando Half Marathon returned as our first
in-person race since March 2020. -
Eight Track Shack events, including the Track Shack Running Series, joined races around the world going virtual.
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Track Shack Youth Foundation celebrates 25 years of giving to the community with Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson.
Celebrated the 25th Corporate 5K with a record 18,255 participants! Together we contributed 154,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank. -
Track Shack Events received Gold Level Certification by the Council for Responsible Sport for the 2018 OUC Orlando Half Marathon.
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Saucony named Track Shack as a Great American Running Shop.
Track Shack Events produces the 25th Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend with more than 85,000 registrants (Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and kids races)
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Track Shack celebrates 40 years running!
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Track Shack voted 50 Best Running Stores in America again.
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Track Shack Events times and produces results for 2016 US Olympic Team Trials at LA Marathon.
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Track Shack awarded Florida’s Retailer of the Year by the Florida Retail Federation.
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Track Shack gets a makeover.
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Celebration of Running 5K gets a shout out on NBC’s Today Show, our first national television mention!
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Track Shack Cheetah Youth Running Club began.
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Jon and Betsy inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions.
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Jon and Betsy named to The Running Event Hall of Fame.
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Track Shack Foundation and Disney Company launch Girls on the Run Orlando.
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Track Shack is voted one of the 50 BEST Running Stores in America.
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Track Shack is ranked in the TOP 4 running specialty stores in America.
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Jon Hughes is named National Race Director of the Year by Road Race Management.
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Track Shack moves to its current home, 1104 North Mills Avenue!
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First Corporate 5K. The inaugural race was designed for companies teams to get moving together.
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Track Shack Foundation (now known as Track Shack Youth Foundation) was established for the purpose of promoting health and fitness with an emphasis on youth programs. Participation in Track Shack events improves your health AND benefits the youth in our community!
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Track Shack Training Programs begin.
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The inaugural Walt Disney World Marathon takes place, with Jon as race director!
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Track Shack’s event company is incorporated. Event Marketing & Management International dba Track Shack Events is the undisputed leader of road race management in Orlando, Florida and has earned a reputation as one of America’s top sports marketing companies.
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First Smile Mile. A one-mile race just for kids!
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Jon and Betsy marry and buy out Track Shack’s founding partners.
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The store moves to 1322 N Mills. Ave.
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Jon becomes one-third owner of Track Shack.
Jon hires Donnie Cook and Betsy Mackenzie.
The first Nick Air shoe, the Tailwind, is introduced!
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First Lady Track Shack 5K. The inaugural race celebrating women in the running community.
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Jon Hughes becomes partner of Track Shack.
The first Grand Prix series (now known as Track Shack Running Series) is won by Donnie Cook and Jayne Surdyka.
Orlando Runners Club begins their Sunday morning group runs.
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Jon Hughes begins working at Track Shack.
First Tangerine Bowl Half Marathon (now the OUC Orlando Half Marathon).
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Three Central Florida businessmen, Terry Smith, Tracy Dent and Dana Flugel, open Track Shack at 1313 N. Mills Avenue!