Welcome to the Livermore Lightning Track Club!

Livermore Lightning is a 501(c) (3) USATF Track and field club for athletes ages 11 and older, providing coaching and training for sprints, middle distance and jumping events.

Schedule a chat to learn more

Practices

Helping athletes of all abilities reach their goals in a fun and safe environment.

Our club is open to everyone, from beginners to accomplished athletes.  We focus on proper running mechanics, learning track & field events, and conditioning to improve speed, strength, jumping abilities and overall athleticism. Through positive reinforcement, we achieve a balance of fun and discipline in each class. We promote the value of teamwork, personal goal setting and hard work.

We train soft, & run hard and fast. A portion of every practice is on soft surfaces to promote staying healthy over the long-term, safely building strength, speed and superior conditioning.

Youth - Sprinting group

11 to 18 year olds
Practice is held on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Las Positas College Track. Starting at roughly age 11 and older, this program is carefully designed to teach basic and more complex mechanics of sprinting, long jumping, and an introduction to hurdles. We introduce goal setting in this group. Group size caps at 20.

Cross Country Summer program

11 to 18 year olds
Summer prep program, staring July 6th, ending on August 6th.
Practice is held three times per week at local parks and venues in the mornings, staring at 8:00 am, ending 9:00 am. The emphasis is on speed endurance, and pacing. Group size caps at 12.

Schedule

All practices are rain or shine, but may be cancelled in the event of extreme weather that may be a health risk, or makes practicing not practical.

Summer 2026 schedule

Dates & times
‍May 18 - 29, June 8 - 28
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
‍
Days
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
‍
Locations
Las Positas College Track

Fall 2026 schedule

Dates & times
‍August 17 - December 18
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
‍
Days
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
‍
Locations
Las Positas College Track

Spring/Early Summer 2027 schedule

January 4 - April 30
4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
‍
Days
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
‍
Locations
Las Positas College Track‍

Summer 2026 program

What's included in price:

24 hours of practice time.
Practice field rentals.
Athlete practice & meet insurance.
Practice equipment.
Technique recording and feedback.
Team canopy at meets.
Join the team

Fall 2026 program

What's included in price:

60 hours of practice during the season.
Practice field rentals.
Athlete practice & meet insurance.
Practice equipment.
Technique recording and feedback..
Team canopy at practices.

Spring/Early Summer

What's included in price:

50 hours of practice during the season.
Regional meets and local dual meet options.
Practice field rentals.
Athlete practice & meet insurance.
Practice equipment.
Technique recording and feedback.
Team canopy at practices.

Pricing

Summer Session

Balance is due the 1st week of practice. Pay by Zelle to markus.eklund@gmail.com, or by check the first week of practice.

$250

Cost is for first child
Additional children at lower cost
Meet fees are extra
Join the team

Cross Country - summer prep

Balance is due the 1st week of practice. Pay by Zelle to markus.eklund@gmail.com, or by check the first week of practice.

$200

Cost is for first child
Additional children at lower cost
Join the team

Fall Season

Balance is due the 1st week of practice. Pay by Zelle to markus.eklund@gmail.com, or by check the first week of practice each month.

$250/month

Cost is for first child
Additional children at lower cost
Meet fees are extra
Join the team

Coaching

Markus Eklund

Markus Eklund is the founder of the Livermore Lightning.
 
I am an All-American Masters Track & Field sprinter, and ranking in the top 100 in the world in the 200 meters.  I compete in the 400 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters, the long jump, and have been a track and field coach since 2022.

I hold an MA in Education, a Teaching Credential, is a USATF Certified Level 1 Coach (Safe Sport Certified), an NSCA Strength & Conditioning Coach, and Precision Nutrition (PN) Certified Nutrition Coach.

With a background in fitness, education, parenting a daughter, and overcoming life’s many challenges, I bring warmth, enthusiasm, and encouragement to my coaching. I’ve been told my ability to see the best in each person and draw it out makes me an inspiring coach.  I am a coach who cares and inspires.

Athlete in blue checkered tank top and black shorts sprinting on an outdoor track during a race.

COachING

Matt Bogdanowicz

Middle distance (800, 1500, Mile) specialist

Matt is a lifelong runner with over 40 years of racing experience from the high school to senior levels. Nationally ranked masters athlete with multiple gold and silver medals from U.S masters Track and field championships in the 800m-1500m. Former 1:54 800m/3:55 1500m runner who competed for West Valley Jr. College and Cal State East Bay. Masters 40+ Prs 2:01.99 800m, 4:14.04 1500m. Matt holds world records in pullups (49 in one minute), and the 1-mile strongman carry.

He holds an M.S. Masters of Science Recreation and Tourism, and is a USATF Safe Sport Certified coach.

Previous coaching experience include High school athletes, middle school and youth track and field programs. Currently has two daughters competing in Cross country and track and field at Granada High school.  

Passionate about track and field and believes in a tailored and individual developmental approach with young athletes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I register with the USA Track & Field?

You can register your athlete at the USA Track & Field website.

The cost for a 1-year USATF youth membership is $35.00 plus some tax.

Use the Livermore Lightning Club code: 10790

My athlete is just getting started in track. Can they join?

Absolutely! We have a number of athletes who are new to track.  At practice, we divide our athletes into different training groups by age and ability so they are training with those at their experience level.

What should my athlete bring to practice?

Water or electrolyte drink, appropriate running shoes, shorts and a breathable running shirt. Bring sweats and weather appropriate long-sleeve top for colder weather.  Athletes who need an inhaler or other medical device must also bring that to practice with them every day.

How can I see what practices are like?

We offer a free initial session where your athlete can train with us to get a better feel for our training approach and program.

Do you have practices year-round?

Yes! We have 3 practice seasons; fall, winter & spring, and summer with breaks in between each season to fit with family and school schedules.

Where and when do you offer practices?

We practice at Las Positas College.

See the Schedule for days and times of practices.

How often should my athlete train with the team?

Our goal is to create happy, healthy athletes who love track & field and choose to live an active lifestyle as an adult.  We recommend 3x/week throughout the year to consistently make progress. Athletes who want to compete at the highest levels should consider training 5x/week.

Will you be practicing in the rain, cold, wind and heat?

Yes, we practice rain or shine, but will either adapt or cancel practice in the event of extreme weather that is unsafe for practices. Athletes are expected to come to practice dressed appropriately for the weather.

Do you offer training for jumping and throwing events?

In addition to sprints, middle distances, and hurdles, we offer training for the long jump, and an the high jump. Starting in 2026 we may also offer training in the hurdles.

Livermore Lightning
Track Club

Get in Touch

markus.eklund@gmail.com

Learn More

Schedule a chat
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.