About Us
Track Club LA was founded in 1997 by Boston area transplants Dave Afshartous and current coach Eric Barron. Afshartous was the captain of the MIT cross-country team and was All-New England in the 10,000, while Barron ran for Harvard and has run several marathons.
Head Coach: Eric Barron
Eric Barron received his B.A. from Harvard College in 1985, and is certified as a Level I and II coach by United States Track and Field Association.
Eric has been Santa Monica College's head coach of Women's Cross Country since the Fall of 2000, and the head coach of Men's Cross Country since 2009. He was recognized as WSC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2001.
In addition to collegiate coaching, Eric has coached Nike Team Run LA, a club for elite, post-collegiate distance runners. He is also a vice president of the Southern California Association of USA Track & Field, and serves as its Open Track & Field Chairman.
USA Track&Field
Level I Certified Coach
Level II Certified Coach
Assistant Coach: Mike Mahurin
Assistant Coach Mike Mahurin coaches TCLA’s cross-country and middle distance runners. Mike is also the Chairman of the Open Cross Country Committee for the Southern California Association of USA Track & Field and has held that position since 2007.
Mike is a runner himself focusing on the marathon, having won multiple marathons, most recently the 2008 Tucson Marathon. Mike also competed in the 2003 Hawaii Ironman World Championship.
Mike is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle and, in his spare time, is a practicing real estate and bankruptcy attorney.
Assistant Coach: Brian Panosian
Brian Panosian earned his degree from U.S.C. in 1989, specializing in Exercise Physiology, Physical Education & Kinesiology. During his time there, Brian was a member of the Cross Country & Track Team.
His 2 years before USC were spent at Santa Monica College competing and learning the fundamentals of coaching, under the guidance of Olympic Gold Medalist and World record holder, Tommie Smith.
Brian joined TCLA in 1998, just 2 years after its inception. A few years later, he was asked to join the coaching staff and has been in the role of "coach / athlete for 15 of his 19 years with the club; helping athletes with their form and mechanics. Brian is also a USATF certified Level 1 coach.
In the last 2 years, Brian utilized his human science background to become a "Sports Massage" Therapist, combining his school background and massage skills to assist the TCLA club at special events and individual runners of all abilities, perform better than their own expectations.
Brian's motto to all runners: "Become a student of the sport".
USA Track&Field
Level I Certified Coach
Track Timer: Jim Gidlow
The modest Jim Gidlow never mentions his career as an Olympic competitor, but during the early seventies Gidlow brought home the bronze, and later gold, for the United States in the vastly unappreciated Olympic sport of Synchronized Swimming.
In fact, it was head coach Eric Barron who noticed Jim's spectacular moves in the SMC swimming pool, adjacent to the SMC Corsair track used for TCLA workouts. Jim was able to do back-flips, eat a sandwhich, and hold a stop watch - all at the same time!
What makes Jim's style of Synchronized Swimming so unique is that Jim does his sport alone, rather than synchronizing with other swimmers, which is the standard practice. Jim Gidlow: a true original.
Track Timer: Jim Spear
Prior to retiring from competitive Masters running, Jim Spear was a long time hub of the greatness that would strike fear in the heart of every over 40 runner in Southern California, the Track Club LA Faster-Masters (as the team was then known.).
However, some people may know Jim Spear more as the original drummer for the Eagles, Steve Miller Band, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, James Taylor, Billy Joel, and The Beatles.
Jim's ability to hold a steady tempo makes him a natural at the track: the man has perfect timing!
Saturday Run Coordinator: Tim Petersen
In the 2006 2007 season, Petersen played for Altonaer FC von 1893 before he returned to FC St. Pauli. He was a member of the reserve team, playing in 27 matches. He made his debut in the 2. Bundesliga on 1 February 2008.
On 15 May 2005, he was transferred to Thuringia club FC Carl Zeiss Jena, here signed a two-year contract.
If you are interested in learning more about our Weekend Long Distance running program, visit the Weekend Long Run page, and complete the contact form. Tim will get back with you right away!