Alumnus Zack Loggins, '14, came to the University of North Georgia (UNG) in fall 2008 initially pursuing a career in engineering after graduating from West Hall High School. An avid runner, Loggins came to Dahlonega on a scholarship from the cross-country team and earned a degree in mathematics.
"I pretty much immediately fell in love with the school. I love the small-town feel and everything about it," Loggins said. "I made lots of friends and met my wife there."
Loggins used his passion to launch his business, Runners Fit Race Work, in January 2010, purchasing a race clock and race timing software. He taught himself how to use the equipment and after gaining confidence with its use, he began advertising. Within months, Loggins was able to time his first race and partnered with 60 events by year's end.
Now in its 13th year, Runners Fit Race Work is an industry leader in the Southeast and has timed nearly a million runners. The company works 95% of the time with charities and nonprofits.
"We doubled in size from 2015 to 2017," the Gainesville, Georgia, native said. " And in January 2021 one of my biggest goals for the company was achieved when we received a call from the Atlanta Track Club to time the Peachtree Road Race, the world’s largest 10K, and their many other events."
While at UNG, Loggins was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, started the running club team, participated in Student Government Association, served as Kappa Delta Dagger Man (a male student who represents the values of Kappa Delta), and was a campus ambassador and tour guide. He shared that his involvement at UNG helped him learn the importance of building relationships with others and being outgoing, which he mentioned is significant to his role within his company.
Loggins has been married for eight years and has a 5-year-old son whom he considers his pride and joy. Loggins said learning to support his family inspired him. Setting goals and seeing them through is how Loggins measures his success because it ultimately positively impacts the people around him.
Loggins' biggest advice to his younger self would be that it's important to enjoy your time and focus less on the result.
"I always try to make myself irreplaceable and be the best at my craft," Loggin said. "But just leading the volunteers and staff is a lot of fun. We get to provide an experience that the runners will enjoy."
