The Equalizers Track Club is a youth distance running organization that trains for and competes in track, cross-country and road racing. It is open to athletes under the age of 19 who are interested in long distance running, regardless of capability and experience. The club has been in existence since 1986 and has a strong tradition of helping runners of all ages achieve high ideals. A large number of runners from this organization have gone on to lead their high school track and cross country teams, and have also excelled at the state and national levels.

The group is coached by Jerry Palazzo, in Tustin, and Bill Fitzpatrick, in Long Beach, and assisted by several parent runners of varied capabilities, all working as volunteers and sharing the common belief that this program is for and about the runners.

A primary objective of the club is to encourage youth participation in running, and in the disciplines that accompany the sport. The methods include a safe, balanced and enjoyable approach to training and racing, all of which should lead to a smooth transition to competition at the high school level and beyond. The ultimate goal is not so much to win races, but to instill a love for running as a life-long activity and to develop strength of character through competitive distance running. Winning races is a by-product of accomplishing these goals.

The philosophy of the club is that each runner is competing against his or herself, and that how fast or where a runner finishes is not nearly as important as how they conduct themselves in the face of adversity. Each runner is encouraged to improve his or her own times with each race, and not be overly concerned with what the next runner is doing, since there is only one person you can control in a race, and that person is yourself. We believe that every runner is a winner regardless of how he or she finishes a race, as long as they do the best they can. It is our hope that this pursuit of excellence will serve them well throughout their lives.

The training includes distance running techniques, endurance and speed development, racing tactics and mental preparation. Strength and flexibility training are also incorporated into the program as they relate to the sport, with an emphasis on preventing injuries. Our Track season begins with general conditioning and endurance training through early March, followed by speed training into April and May, ending with peak race training to finish the season in June.

Competitions begin in March and occur most weekends, on either Saturday afternoons or Sunday mornings, however, few runners will compete every week. The meets vary in the levels of competition present and runners will compete only in those meets that are appropriate for their own capability level. No runner will compete though until they are ready, both physically and mentally. Also, there are two or three road races that we will participate in as a team which are encouraged for all runners but optional, as these are the responsibility of the runner to register and pay for. In June, the USA Track & Field Junior Olympic meets take place and present the highest level of competition. These meets will be limited to those runners who meet certain higher capability levels at that time. Our season ends with the USATF Youth National Track and Field Championships held in early July. This meet is for those runners who qualify for it, by achieving a national qualifying time for their age division in an event. Although it is not required to compete in any competitions, it is strongly encouraged once an appropriate capability level is reached, as competition is an important part of the development process in this sport.