As a way of honoring those who give so much to Atlanta Track Club, we instituted the Atlanta Track Club All-Star Volunteer Program in 2005. An All-Star Volunteer is any individual who volunteers with us 10 or more times in a year. Each All-Star receives a special gift and recognition at the Grand Prix Finale & Volunteer Awards Breakfast at the end of the year. It is never too late to join the elite ranks. Simply sign up for our newsletter and start volunteering!
2025 All-Star Award Winners
In 2025, Atlanta Track Club has proudly named the following All-Star award winners! These volunteers were able to volunteer 10 or more times this year. Click below for a complete listing of All-Star award winners by year.
Each year, we celebrate a few "above and beyond" amazing volunteers for going above and beyond the call of duty with their volunteer work both within our organization and in the greater community. Awards are presented at the Grand Prix Finale & Volunteer Awards Banquet. For a historical look back at all of our Volunteers of the Year, click here: Volunteer of the Year History.
The recipients of the 2025 Volunteer Awards are:
2025 Clarence W. May Jr. Community Service Award: Yvonne Bryant
On a cool, Sunday morning in October. Early morning, about 5am. Yvonne Bryant did what she has always done for the PNC Atlanta 10 Mile road race. She came to Atlanta Track Club's warehouse and picksup a van full of hydration station materials. As usual, the morning of the race is chaotic to say the least. Many of the course crew chiefs are there to pick up vehicles, load last minute items, pick up labor etc… As the morning went on and I had fielded a ton of questions, I started to worry. I hadn't seen Yvonne and she was due to pick up at van. I asked a co-worker if he had seen her, "oh yea, she came and went". As usual, she flew under the radar and took charge at the same time.
Yvonne Bryant
She is in charge of the Mile 2 Aid Station, out of the four for that event. Her morning consists of picking up the materials van, taking it to the Aid Station site, and manages her volunteers to set up the water. They are ready for the runners in plenty of time to identify any issues and solve them.. She runs the station in an effectively positive way. Her volunteers are loyal and enjoy working with her. She is a great volunteer for the ATC.
The award she is receiving tonight, the Clarence May award, among the most prestigious awarded by Atlanta Track Club..
Clarence May was a volunteer for the club in the 1980's and '90s. He worked with the Atlanta Marathon (at that time it was paired with the Thanksgiving day Half Marathon). Clarence was a zone, then section leader who meticulously worked to make his zone the safest and best it could be. He was also an avid runner and cyclist himself. He led an effort to repair and refurbish hundreds of bicycles for underprivileged children. He rarely spoke of his generous contributions and never looked for attention for his work. Christmas included these gifts which the children loved. Sadly, Clarence passed away in 2000. It was decided to name the Community Service Award after Clarence May.
Yvonne Bryant, with all her involvement in the Atlanta Community as well as others in Florida, has certainly earned the award. She volunteers for a great many events in addition to the ones for Atlanta Track Club. One of the more interesting events she was involved in (outside the club) was the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon in Orlando, Florida. She assisted with the personal hydration stations for that event. The personal hydration stations for the Trials are much more complicated than a standard race. The elite athletes are allowed, with some restrictions, to bring their own fluids in addition to using water and electrolyte fluids that are available to all. She was the "neutral area" crew chief. This was associated with the aid stations, but was mostly involved with supplying the runners with sponges and retrieving their discarded personal fluids containers. She and her crew nailed it and contributed to the fluid stations being among the best in Trials history.
Yvonne loves sports. She has volunteered for the Superbowl several times in Atlanta as well as other cities. In Atlanta, you can find her at the SEC Championship game and many other sporting events at the Mercedes Benz stadium. One catch with all these Atlanta events - she lives in Florida. She travels up to Atlanta to work all these events. That is how much she loves it.Yvonne Bryant lives her life giving back to her community, various communities in fact. She is a great volunteer and great friend. She is this year's recipient of the Clarence May Community Service Award. Well deserved.Road Race Volunteer of the Year
Mark Schmitt
2025 Road Race Volunteer of the Year - Mark Schmitt
This award recognizes an individual who truly stood out within our Road Race program in 2025.
We selected this year's recipient not only for the incredible amount of time they have dedicated, but for the impact they consistently make. Over six years of volunteering with Atlanta Track Club, Mark has accumulated more than 253 volunteer hours, with 49+ hours contributed in 2025 alone—and that doesn't even include the many meetings he attends behind the scenes.
Beyond the hours, Mark leads by example. He has served as a Crew Chief and even at events where he isn't in that role, he shows up as a leader. He always offers a kind word, a helping hand and steady support to everyone around him. He arrives early to help with setup, stays late to assist with breakdown without ever being asked and treats participants, volunteers and staff with genuine kindness and respect. He's also known for sharing valuable wisdom on how best to tackle a road race course—and, of course, for his solid banter.
It is our honor to present the 2025 Road Race Volunteer of the Year Award to our Bike Lead, Mark Schmitt.
Cathy Stephens
2025 Ambassador of the Year - Cathy Stephens
We are proud to recognize Cathy Stephens, whose dedication, enthusiasm and unwavering support exemplify what it means to be an Atlanta Track Club ambassador. Cathy gives her time during some of the hottest days of the year and the coldest, and does so with dedication, energy and heart. This club simply would not run without her and we are deeply grateful.
We would also like to extend a special thank you to our ambassadors, who bring positivity, camaraderieand a strong sense of community to every event. Whether cheering participants on, welcoming new faces, or elevating the energy on race day, our ambassadors play a vital role in creating memorable experiences for everyone involved.
Among this outstanding group, Cathy Stephen consistently stood out. Cathy signed up for every opportunity—filling shifts whenever help was needed and stepping in without hesitation. From assisting with Pete the Peach, to serving as a crew chief, to working ambassador shifts and attending pop-up events, Cathy went above and beyond at every turn.
Cathy even supported Atlanta Track Club beyond event days, helping promote the organization whenever and wherever possible.
At the Peachtree Expo, Cathy spent countless hours in the heat, yet still returned to the very next event with the same enthusiasm, positivity and readiness to help. Her reliability, commitment and spirit truly embody what it means to be an ambassador.
With sincere appreciation and gratitude, we are honored to recognize Cathy Stephens as our 2025 Ambassador of the Year.
2025 Run Lead of the Year - Tarah Stewart
A Run Lead is a mentor. A Run Lead is a cheerleader. A Run Lead is a coach. A Run Lead is someone who believes in the transformational power of running. They believe in the transformational power of running because running has transformed them in a way and to a degree that they feel moved to share it with others.
Tarah Stewart
A Run Lead is someone who selflessly helps others achieve their big, audacious, lifelong, bucket list goals like running their first marathon or running their fastest marathon or training for and running their first 5K or crossing some other life related finish line.
We have the honor of recognizing and celebrating one EXTRAORDINARY Run Lead. To say this individual has gone above and beyond doesn't begin to highlight her contributions to In-Training and Atlanta Track Club in 2025. Every year, there's a standout, someone who steps so fully into their light, so completely into service and leadership, that they don't just coach a season—they define the year. That person is Tarah Stewart
In 2025, Tarah didn't just show up, she showed out. Not once, not twice, but the entire year—as a Saturday Crew Chief for In-Training for Publix Atlanta Marathon Weekend, as a Saturday Crew Chief for In-Training for Peachtree and as a Saturday Crew Chief for In-Training for Fall Marathons. One season is extraordinary. For the entire year, Tarah didn't just do the job, she elevated the role. She led with excellence—guiding athletes with empathy, clarity and the kind of encouragement that doesn't just get you through a long run; it gets you through life. Her communication skills and writing are impeccable, a true masterclass. She always carries a calming and kind presence. In addition to serving as a Crew Chief the entire year, Tarah also became an In-Training-Certified Coach this year, adding another layer of knowledge and depth to the way she serves our athletes. But more than credentials, Tarah leads with heart. She sees people, listens to others and believes in the mission of making Atlanta healthier through walking and running.
And let's not forget—Tarah is doing all this while raising two teenage daughters, adoring her two Ragdoll cats and perhaps most impressively—keeping track of literally every Taylor Swift lyric ever written. To us, Tarah is the Taylor Swift of coaching—writing love letters to every athlete through her actions, lifting others up through hard seasons and reminding us that there's power in being soft, steady and strong. Tarah Stewart, thank you for bringing excellence, strength and your Swiftie magic to In-Training. From all of us: we love you. We thank you!
