Running Through Adversity: The Schlossberg Family's Journey with Atlanta Track Club

In June 2019, Lauren and Andrew Schlossberg moved their family of four from England back to Atlanta for Andrew's job. Shortly after, they discovered an opportunity that would symbolize a new chapter in their lives: participating in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race.

Initially, only the parents ran the race, the largest 10K in the world. However, this experience ignited a family-wide movement leading to the purchase of an Atlanta Track Club family membership. Their two children, Lilly and Brett, began running, and the family uncovered aspects of themselves they might not have otherwise - one discovery proving lifesaving.

In 2023, Lauren was running the Publix Atlanta Half Marathon, a race she had trained and felt prepared for, when she felt something was "off."

"I felt like I couldn't do anything," Lauren said. "At the time, I didn't realize that I was experiencing symptoms of cancer, but soon after the race I experienced a cold that just never got better - I knew something was wrong."

Three months later, in May 2023, she was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia. She then underwent treatment that prevented her from exercising, but she remained focused and aimed to "take back" the race the following year healthier and stronger.

"I was determined to get back out there," she said. "I knew I may not have been as fast, but I wasn't going to give up or let it beat me."

Prior to her diagnosis, Lauren and Andrew were active with Atlanta Track Club, attending group runs, participating in races like the PNC Atlanta 10 Miler and Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, meeting other members in the community and taking advantage of all the membership benefits. Their passion for running inspired their children and continued to motivate them through Lauren's treatment.

In 2022, Lauren encouraged her son Brett, then 15, to run Atlanta Track Club's Resolution Run Mile on New Year's Day. He enjoyed the race so much that he joined his school's cross country team, attended Wingfoot Running Camp and ran the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race for the first time in 2024.

But like many runners, Brett learned the importance of listening to his body the hard way. He collapsed from exhaustion at the six-mile mark of his first Peachtree, a result of dehydration and heat on July 4. After being transported to the hospital and receiving treatment, he made a full recovery and has continued running since.

"It was disappointing that I didn't finish," he said. "But I like to think of it in a different way - if I never passed out, I would've never known that I wasn't hydrating and fueling my body the way I was supposed to."

This optimism is characteristic of the Schlossberg family, including Andrew and daughter Lilly. They view races that have impacted their lives not negatively but as opportunities to learn more about themselves - their health - and chase after a new goal at the same event.

Now, the family uses their Atlanta Track Club membership for more than the discounts and free events - it's a means to train and become the strongest, healthiest versions of themselves. The benefits allow them to participate in events like the Peachtree, create lifelong memories at events both big and small, volunteer and stay motivated to hit the pavement.

"[Atlanta Track Club membership] provides motivation for us all to participate," Lauren said. "My daughter does not love to run, but likes to do things with our family - or so she says as a 15 year old girl - so when the opportunity comes up to do a race together she will join, maybe complain, go faster than my husband and me, and feel good after. We also know that Atlanta Track Club organizes all events at a superior level so we will have a blast too."

The family sees running as a powerful tool for self discovery. Through the sport, they've accomplished goals and learned lessons or facts about themselves they might not have encountered in other ways.

For Lauren and Andrew, running also enhances their parenting, allowing them to set examples for their children.

"We all have 'experiences' and learn together. We share our stats and see that sometimes we have good days and sometimes they are not as solid as we would have liked, but we all have these various outcomes," Lauren said. "As parents, Andrew and I can demonstrate to our children the importance of living a healthy lifestyle."