2023 Camel City Crowd FundCLICK HERE FOR CROWD FUND FORM HISTORY Now entering its 11th year of existence, the Camel City Crowd Fund has been an integral part of the Camel City Elite Races since 2014. The Crowd Fund for the 2023 event will again be operated by the Camel City Track Foundation (www.camelcitytrackfoundation.com), a 501(c)3 entity. This means that a significant portion of each donation will be tax-deductible! The Camel City Elite races began in 2013 with a single race – the men’s mile. In that first year, Camel City Elite was funded solely by JDL Fast Track. Approximately $4500 was awarded as three athletes broke the magical 4:00 barrier. Cory Leslie won the inaugural event in 3:57.81, which at the time was the fastest mile ever run indoors in the state of North Carolina.
In 2014, the Camel City Crowd Fund was initiated and individuals contributed to the fund could select levels that included dinner with elite athletes at the post-race party, as well as prime viewing of the races from an infield vantage point. Over $13,000 was raised for prize money, which enabled the addition of the men's and women's 800, 3k races, as well as a women's mile. Over $22k was awarded in prize money and bonuses in 2014!
In 2015, the Crowd Fund only raised approximately $9,000, but much of that can be attributed to the fact that a corporate sponsorship program was initiated and a few of the initial crowd fund contributors became corporate sponsors. The big news for 2015 was the addition of a men's 60m hurdles race, with Olympic medalists David Oliver and Jason Richardson headlining the event. This year's event definitely upped the ante on its star power with Olympians Shannon Rowbury and Leo Manzano added to the roster. With $38,000 in prize money and bonuses awarded, Camel City Elite was quickly making a bigger name for itself with professional track and field athletes.
After the success in 2015, Camel City Elite Races and the Crowd Fund continued to power forward. With additional corporate support and a Crowd Fund that approached $14,000, the 2016 edition set the bar even higher. The latest addition was a women's 60m hurdles race. The roster of athletes signed up was a virtual who's who of American track and field. Stars like Matthew Centrowitz, Ashton Eaton, Lolo Jones, Jason Richardson, Brianna Rollins and Shannon Rowbury made the event a star-studded affair. And that doesn't even count the late scratches of Bernard Lagat, Leo Manzano, David Oliver or Nick Symmonds who were all signed up but couldn't compete for one reason or another. 2017 saw US Olympic silver medalist Paul Chelimo win the 3000m after a wire-to-wire effort. Eliud Rutto of Middle Tennessee State became the first collegian to win a Camel City Elite event. Melissa Bishop defended her women's 800m title.
In 2018, over $75,000 in prize money was awarded, as prize money was increased to $6000 for first place. Edward Cheserek headlined the 2018 event and didn't disappoint. He ran 3:53.85 to break the facility record set in 2016 by Matthew Centrowitz. Paul Chelimo won the men's 3k and then came back to finish second in the mile with his first official sub-4 mile. But Rachel Schneider walked away with the biggest payday after winning both the 3k and the mile with only about 40 minutes of rest between the two races.
2019 saw two flat track "world records" set when Ajee' Wilson ran 1:59.26 for the women's 800 meters, followed by Clayton Murphy's 1:45.92 for the same distance. Although not "real" world records, these are the fastest times ever run at these distances on a 200 meter flat track. This adds to the women's mile record set by Shannon Rowbury of 4:22.66 back in 2015, giving JDL Fast Track three such records. In 2020, Jenny Simpson shattered the women's 3000m flat track world record by running 8:51.49. Another big momen in 2020 was Willy Fink upsetting Edward Cheserek in the men's mile to prevent the three-peat. Clayton Murphy also returned to defend his title in the men's 800. 2021 was a slightly different Camel City, with no fans in the facility due to Covid. But that didn't affect the action inside, as Rachel Schneider completed the 3k/mile double for the second time. Willy Fink defended his men's mile title and Finley McLear of Miami (OH) upset three pros to win the men's 800.
2022 saw the return of fans to the facility. The action on the track was again fierce! Elly Henes, in her first Camel City Elite as a pro, won the women's 3k/mile double. Sam Atkin ran the second fastest time in facility history in the men's 3k, and helped Antonio Lopez Segura of Virginia Tech to a collegiate facility record of 7:49! Olympian Charlie Grice of Great Britan won the men's mile to prevent Willy Fink from completing the three-peat. And Ajee' Wilson returned to the site of her flat track world record to win the women's 800. And Mexican national record holder Tonatiu Lopez won the men's 800. 2023 is set to be another great year. Stay tuned as we begin announcing athletes in the coming weeks! So be sure to be at JDL Fast Track on Saturday, February 4th!
Your support of the Camel City Crowd Fund is a great sign of support for the sport of track and field and the elite athletes who make it so special. It is a unique opportunity to bring these world class athletes to Winston-Salem and the state of North Carolina. Additionally, we are working with the Camel City Track Foundation to begin low cost track and field camps, clinics and other events at JDL Fast Track.
CAMEL CITY CROWD FUND The Camel City Track Foundation was filed and approved in late 2015 as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The Foundation's mission is to create awareness and promote health and physical fitness through the promotion of track and field. There are many ways that the Foundation will do so, including the organization of track and field competitions, camps and clinics. One of the main fundraising initiatives for Camel City Track Foundation will be the Camel City Crowd Fund. Through its support of professional tracka nd field athletes and events, the Foundation is raising awareness and promoting physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
SUPPORT LEVELS PLATINUM - $250 per person (tax deduction $225)
GOLD - $100 per person (tax deduction $90)
SILVER - $50 per person (tax deduction $40)
WHY SHOULD YOU SUPPORT CAMEL CITY ELITE? Supporting the Camel City Crowd Fund will help the sport of track and field and elite athletes, of whom many cannot afford to train full-time. Elite track athletes have limited opportunities to earn prize money, particularly during indoor season. The events offered will raise the exposure of Winston-Salem and JDL Fast Track, as these events are likely to receive national attention, particularly with the addition of the athletes who will be competing.
To be a supporter, click here and fill out the form on the last page and return to Camel City Track Foundation. Forms and support can be sent to Camel City Track Foundation, 301 N. Main Street, Suite 2300, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. |
