We spoke to Matt Rosenberg Passe about a South Beach club without long lines and cover fees. That club is the South Beach Track Club and everyone is invited to join in. Passe is the co-leader and coach of this popular club that meets weekly and is free to join. Check out all of the details below!
1) How did the club get started? When and where? How many members did you have then compared to now?
"South Beach Track Club began as it is currently in January of 2014 after the Flamingo Park Track, on Alton Road and 11th street, was resurfaced and upgraded from the cement track that it used to be into the beautiful track that it now is. When we started, we let people know by a mix of social media and word of mouth - as we do today. We started probably with 10-20 runners per session. We grew to, before Covid-19, up to a max of 75 or so members on a given night, but usually between 40-60 or so. Now during Covid, we have adapted to include social distancing and adjusted workouts to reduce close interactions and are usually in the mid-to upper 30s per night."
2) What is your background in track/running if any?
"I have always loved to run. As a kid, it was always fun to race and run fast, and then I joined the track team at Killian High School my senior year and learned to run the 400m. I ran on the University of Miami track team my freshman year and competed in the 800m. After that, I have always loved to run and to be a part of something fun and athletic that brings people together. I have competed in many 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and the New York, Chicago and Miami Marathons as well as many triathlons. I have the pleasure to co-coach the club with Mark Gomes under normal non-Covid circumstances. Mark is the former 2016 world masters champion in the 400 meters and is a true expert in the science of training for track and field as well as a good friend."
3) What does a typical "practice" look like each week?
"Each Monday at 7 PM, we start near the start/finish line at the Flamingo Park track and begin with a two-lap warm-up jog, then dynamic stretches and speed technique drills. These days during Covid, we are targeting a total time workout that usually is 25:00 and will feature a variety of speed intervals that are followed by a 100m walk recovery. We also have rolling starts and have designed the workout so that people are not grouped close together during the start or finish of the workout. For example, last night our workout was 800m/600m/400m/600m/400m/ then repeat 200m intervals until a total time of 25:00 was reached (each followed by a 100m recovery walk). Each week is different, and this allows each group member to get the most out of each workout depending on their fitness level and total time. We finish every workout with an intense core workout and a stretch session."
4) What should our readers know if they would like to attend?
"Everyone is welcome regardless of speed or fitness level. We love to bring everyone together to have fun running with fantastic people from all over the world and mix in a lot of encouragement and a personal touch for each and every runner who comes by to join in."
5) Anything else you want readers to know about the track club?
"South Beach Track Club is free, and our workouts usually go from 7 PM - 8:20 PM or so. Free parking is on 12th street next to the track and also in the parking lot next to the pool and tennis courts on 11th street. We can be found on Instagram @southbeachtrackclub and on Facebook at South Beach Track Club. Each workout is posted about before and after on Facebook and after as well on Instagram."
