Track and
Field Fun for
Kids of All Ages!
Littles, Middles, Leaders
(3.5 years through 13 years)
Building Humans,
Not Just Muscles
I've coached for over 35 years, and what I've learned is this…
Technique matters,
but character matters more.
I want kids to leave practice standing a little taller, believing in themselves, and feeling proud of who they are becoming.
Joy's Jackrabbits blends expert track instruction with confidence-building, kindness, and community—creating a foundation that supports all sports and all stages of growth.
Joy - Founder &
Head Coach
Joy Upshaw is the heart behind Joy's Jackrabbits—a coach, competitor, and mentor whose love for track and field spans more than 35 years. A former collegiate All-American, Joy began her journey at Acalanes High School before continuing at Cal State Hayward, where she built a foundation of excellence in hurdles and sprints.
Joy has gone on to become a 25-time World Masters Champion and a proud USATF Hall of Fame inductee. She has represented the United States as a USATF National Head Coach, competing and coaching on the world stage well into her 60s—proving that strength, joy, and growth don't have an age limit.
While her competitive achievements are extraordinary, Joy is best known for how she shows up for her athletes. She blends technical mastery with encouragement, discipline with kindness, and high standards with genuine care. Her coaching creates confident athletes—and thoughtful, resilient humans.
That philosophy is what defines Joy's Jackrabbits.
Joy - Founder &
Head Coach
Joy Upshaw is the heart behind Joy's Jackrabbits—a coach, competitor, and mentor whose love for track and field spans more than 35 years. A former collegiate All-American, Joy began her journey at Acalanes High School before continuing at Cal State Hayward, where she built a foundation of excellence in hurdles and sprints.
Joy has gone on to become a 25-time World Masters Champion and a proud USATF Hall of Fame inductee. She has represented the United States as a USATF National Head Coach, competing and coaching on the world stage well into her 60s—proving that strength, joy, and growth don't have an age limit.
While her competitive achievements are extraordinary, Joy is best known for how she shows up for her athletes. She blends technical mastery with encouragement, discipline with kindness, and high standards with genuine care. Her coaching creates confident athletes—and thoughtful, resilient humans.
That philosophy is what defines Joy's Jackrabbits.
Grace Upshaw Tyler
Head Coach • 2x Olympian, 4x USA Champion
“When I was a new mom, “littles” Jackrabbits was one of the first activities I did with my kids! What a great way to lay the foundation of good running form and the importance of having a positive attitude. Skills to last a lifetime! To this day my kids will do a knee hug stretch and say “thanks for running me around!””
Renee Chube Washington
COO, USA Track & Field
“From my vantage point, Joy Upshaw’s particular brand of magic— hard work, determination, grit, sprinkled with large doses of kindness and hope— makes us all feel we must be better versions of ourselves. Her greatest legacy may be that she has given the world a vehicle for a generation of athletes to be touched by that magic— the Jackrabbits. Those young athletes will pay it forward, almost instinctively, as Joy’s lessons are unforgettable.”
