Membership & Benefits

David Salazar, of Cedar Crest, is head coach and a founding member of New Mexico Track Club. He is a USATF-certified coach and a former high school track and field coach. After competing in junior high in the long jump, and 200 and 400 meters, he returned to the sport at age 39 and won numerous USATF Masters national championships in the 800, 1500, and pentathlon. He won his first USATF national title in 1992 and his last in 2012. In 1996, he won the 800 meters at the Canadian Nationals and the following week he won the 1500 meters at the USATF Nationals. He ran the third leg on So Cal Track Club’s M50 4×800 that set a U.S. championships record in 2004, and he won National Senior Games gold in the 800 in 2015. His 800 meter times for each age group are stellar:

• 40-44: 2:00
• 45-49: 2:02
• 50-54: 2:02.37
• 55-59: 2:10.5
• 60-64: 2:18
• 65-69: 2:29
• 70-74: 2:51.5
• 75-79: 3:19

Although his times have dropped off after age 70 due to a worsening ankle injury, he continues to compete for the New Mexico Track Club.

Karen directs New Mexico Track Club with the vision of creating an inclusive, welcoming space for adult track, field, and fitness at every level. Karen holds All American records in 60m hurdles, high jump, and 400m for multiple age groups. When asked what her favorite medal was, she replied the gold in Masters Out door Championships pentathlon. But she added that the most interesting award was a package of pinto beans for a local 5k.

Lisa Valle, an Alamogordo High School alumna, won multiple NMAA Class AAAA state titles in the 800, 1500, and cross country, and held the school's girls 800-meter record from 1984 until 2023. As a masters athlete she has won five individual World Masters Athletics gold medals in the 800, 1500, and 2000-meter steeplechase. She has set several records, including:

• 2009 W40 2000m steeplechase 7:01.91 (world record at the time)
• 2010 W40 2000m steeplechase 6:51.92 (world record at the time)
• 2011 W45 2000m steeplechase 6:58.89 (still the U.S. record)
• 2017 W50 2000m steeplechase 7:59.66 (still the U.S. record)
• 2019 W50 4x800 10:14.64 (world record at the time)
• 2021 W55 4x400 4:23.52 (still the world record)

She continues to compete for the New Mexico Track Club.

Tim Vigil, of Santa Fe, is a former Capital High School track coach and a masters middle-distance and steeplechase runner. He has won National Senior Games medals, New Mexico Senior Olympics titles, USATF Masters outdoor silver in the 2000-meter steeplechase, and Huntsman World Senior Games gold medals in the 800, 1500, and 3000. He has set several records, including:

• 2023 M55-59 10K 40:21 (NMSO record)
• 2024 M60-64 5K 18:39 (NMSO record)
• 2024 M60-64 10K 40:21 (NMSO record)
• 2025 M60-64 3000m 10:47.67 (Huntsman World Senior Games record)

He continues to compete for the New Mexico Track Club.

Rita Vigil, of Santa Fe, is a former Capital High School track and cross country coach, and a masters middle-distance and road runner. She has won National Senior Games gold medals in the 5K, 10K, and 1500. She was the 2025 National Senior Games 10K champion. She also has numerous New Mexico Senior Olympics titles and a Huntsman World Senior Games gold in the 3000.

She continues to compete for the New Mexico Track Club.

Roger Assink, of Albuquerque, is a masters sprinter with New Mexico Track Club. He did not run in high school or college; he started in local Corporate Cup races in his mid-30s and returned to competition after open-heart surgery in 2009. He has medaled at USATF Masters indoor and outdoor championships, won National Senior Games silver medals in the 50, 100, and 200, and taken New Mexico Senior Olympics sprint titles. He has set several records, including:

• 2015 M70 4x100 53.58 (NSGA championships record)
• 2017 M70-74 200m 29.63 (NMSO record)
• 2023 M75-79 100m 14.57 (NMSO record)
• 2023 M75-79 200m 31.06 (NMSO record)

He continues to compete for the New Mexico Track Club.