Hi Pike Creek Runner! This is a special issue focused on the USATF competitions and our running team. All runners are encouraged to join USATF and run under the PCRVC banner!
The following is from Tom Steenkamer, our racing Chair:
Happy New Year everyone,
We are 1 week away from the start of the 2019 USATF race season with the first trail race of the off road series.
There are a few changes to the series this year with the start of the season coming in January with the Chilly Cheeks 11k on January 20th and the absence of the Radnor Red Steeplechase in August (race discontinued). The race schedule is located here – http://mausatf.com/off-road-events/
The road series returns in February with the Frostbite 5 miler in Amber, PA on February 23rd . This year’s race schedule is unchanged from 2018. The race schedule is located here – http://mausatf.com/grandprix-events/
2019 marks the return of the USATF Club National XC Championship races to the Lehigh University campus on the first weekend in December. Clubs from all over the country compete as teams running cross country courses with distances of 6k for women, and 10k for men. In 2014 the club chartered a coach bus to take over 60 club members to this event. We are hoping that we can bring another large group of runners to this famous XC venue and have a great day of running and socializing!
2018 was a great year for the club with a 3rd place finish in the road series, and 2nd place in the off road series!
I need to emphasize that the 2018 results were built on the legs and feet of a small number of individuals. Specifically we had 6 individuals compete in 10 or more races between the 2 series. These runners were doing this to support the club and not because they wanted to run every race (2018 season had 7 Off road events and 9 Road events).
In order to get to Lehigh in December we need increased participation in both the off-road and road series races for 2019.
To those of you who have been frequent participants of the race team – a huge thank you and reminder that it is time to renew your USATF memberships for 2019.
For new members – those who expressed interest in joining the USATF at the club holiday party we need you to complete the USATF membership process by joining USATF and declaring your affiliation with PCVRC, club number 08-0025.
USATF membership application is located here – https://www.usatf.org/membership/application/index.asp
I have been providing race team coordination for club for the past 6 years. We have had great successes during this time but I can no longer dedicate myself to this role. 2019 will be my last season as USATF coordinator. Can you take on this role? The club needs someone to step into this role and I am happy to help with the transition process.
Happy running and I hope to hear from all of you interested in joining our team.
Tom Steenkamer