John Schultz in Runners’ World Magazine
John Schultz sent in a scan of the upcoming Runner’s World magazine. You really are inspirational John! Always a pleasure to see you running.
(Credit: Runner’s World magazine, Jan./Feb. 2015 issue)
(Photo Credit: Mark DeNio)
The USATF National Club Cross-Country Championships were a challenge, from the cold to the course. There are still scoring errors due to the timing company’s system not being compatible with the USATF registration system. Please e-mail me your times if you want them to be highlighted.
MANY, MANY thanks to the Pike Creek board for sponsoring the bus. It made things so much easier and ensured better participation. Bethlehem was only around 90 minutes away but big convoys of cars would have made a mess. The bus was wonderful and facilitated a party on the way home!
John Culnane and I took pictures at Saturday’s races. Here are John’s pictures. You can see mine at the Pike Creek Facebook page (link below in the Links for Club Members section).
John Schultz is featured in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Runner’s World!
I messed up the photo credit in last week’s picture of Mike DiGennaro. The photo was taken by Dan Cook.
PCVRC USATF GRAND PRIX CHAMPION
PCVRC captures 1st place in the Mid Atlantic Grand Prix Club Challenge competition for 2014! The club has participated in the Mid Atlantic Grand Prix competition since its inception in 2002. 2014 marks the FIRST time in our club history that we have come out on top in the road racing series. The club competed in all 11 races this past year starting with the Haddonfield Adrenaline 5k on March 15th and concluding at the Philadelphia marathon weekend on November 23rd.
This is a highly competitive competition among the region’s best running organizations. We finished the season ahead of Bryn Mawr, Greater Philadelphia Track Club, and South Jersey Athletic Club as well as 10 other area running clubs.
Individual Age Grade Awards
In addition to the club championship prize of $1000 there were individual age group and age grade awards. Age Group awards are given based on points awarded for finishing in the top 3 in 5 year age groups at each race and then totaled across all races. Age grade awards are given to the top 10 individuals with the seasons highest age grade point average based on participation in a minimum of 6 events.
Winners will receive an MAUSATF half-zip winter fleece.
Women
Beth Howlett 6th
Sherri Sweigart 10th
Men
Tom Steenkamer 3rd
Dave Wiechecki 4th
Lee Kauffman 9th
Age Group Awards (5 year age groups)
Winners received an MAUSATF winter running hat.
Women
Sarah Rusk
Jen Loren
Carole Feole
Beth Howlett
Men
Andy Weaver
Dan Suher
Mike DiGennaro
Jay Coughenour
Dave Wiechecki
Greg Cauller
Tom Steenkamer
Chuck Crabb
Dan Simmons
Jerry Herman
John Schultz
PCVRC USATF OFF-ROAD 3rd Place
The club finished in 3rd place in the club completion in the Off-Road series. Five clubs participated in the Off-Road series this year. This is the 4th consecutive year the club has finished in 3rd place in the trail race competition. We were awarded $300 for our success.
Highlights for 2014 include another season in which our ladies led the way. PCVRC has a great group of ladies who have committed to running the trail races and outnumbered the men in 50% of the races this past year. At the Chabot Challenge in July there were 8 ladies and only 3 men. Come on boys I think you need to step up next season and get into the trail running scene! Post-race parties at the trail races are the best.
Individual Age Group Awards are based on points allocated to the top 3 finishers in 10 year age groups. Total points accrued across the 8 race series determine the winners. PCVRC Age Group Award winners (prizes TBD):
Individual Age Grade Awards
Women
Lisa Jalot
Men
Paul Randolph
USATF Championships Comment
Doug Ridge sent the following about the races:
I just wanted to thank you and everyone in the club for getting me involved in the USATF club championship and in making the event such a success. The event came at a very busy time for me, but I am glad you got me involved and that I went. XC & Track may be the only sports where Olympians and 70 year old amateurs compete in the same event. It is exciting just to be part of it. I enjoyed meeting my team-mates and sensing the excitement of the field of runners from so many clubs and so many places. I hadn’t run in spikes in 50 years since I was on Harvard’s freshman cross country team. I have seldom run competitively on a course with such a history. It is a great memory to have. I know that it’s a lot of work for you and others with the club. Thanks.
Race Results, Reviews and Accomplishments:
(Lots of people competed in the local races so please e-mail in if you aren’t listed below.)
Michelle Zechman utilized Lori Culnane’s pacing services to take a PR in the Rehoboth Marathon, finishing in 4:07:24! Way to go Michelle and great job Lori!
Tricia Szymanski wrote in to say that Michelle’s PR was by approximately 30 minutes! Michelle doesn’t do things in half-measures. A 16-minute PR at the Turkey Trot 10k and now a 30-minute PR at the Rehoboth Marathon!
Michelle wrote in to compliment Wes Stafford, who came back from a 2-and-a-half year injury to finish the Rehoboth Marathon in 3:18:26!!! Awesome job Wes!
Susan Snavely ran the Rehoboth Marathon in 3:47:15. She got a PR AND qualified for Boston in 2016!
Susan also wrote in to tell us of Heather Kennedy, a new member who joined at the Holiday Party. Heather ran the Rehoboth Marathon in 3:47:38, also a PR and a BQ time! Fantastic running Heather and welcome to PCVRC!
Jennifer Besten wrote in with a great comment. I’ll just let her tell it: “Baby Besten #3 and I completed the Rehoboth 1/2 in 2:02 with only three bathroom stops! The baby at 6 months in utero has now run a full, 1/2, 10k and four 5k’s placing in three. He/she is now retiring until their third birthday.”
Dave, Jake and Kirsten Landon all ran in the Rehoboth Half Marathon. Dave placed 2nd in his age group, finishing in 1:26:25. Jake won his age group and was 9th overall, finishing in 1:24:15! Kirsten finished in a fantastic 2:26:49!
Lorri Fencer did the Rehoboth Half Marathon in 1:58:54! Great job Lorri!
Lorri was also one of the few people smiling as she passed by me on Saturday. Love this photo!
(Photo Credit: Mark DeNio)
Rehoboth Seashore Half Marathon
(December 6th – Rehoboth Beach, DE)
Jake Landon 1:24:15 (1st AG)
Dave Landon 1:26:25 (2nd AG)
Lorri Fencer 1:58:54
Jennifer Besten 2:02:29
Kirsten Landon 2:26:49
Rehoboth Seashore Marathon
(December 6th – Rehoboth Beach, DE)
Wes Stafford 3:18:26
Susan Snavely 3:47:15
Heather Kennedy 3:47:38
Michelle Zechman 4:07:24
USATF XC Championships – Master’s Men 10k
(December 13th – Bethlehem, PA)
John Schultz 1:27:23