President’s Message
As I look back upon 2016, I can’t help but reflect with great sadness upon the loss of several long time PCVRC running club members: John Drozd, Becky Yencharis, John Schultz, and Doug White. Each of these runners was awarded PCVRC Hall of Fame status and were important members of our running community. I’d like to quote Dave Pie’ – one of our PCVRC founders, who stated that “PCVRC was created in 1982 to be a running club for the people; it wasn’t about how fast a runner you were – it was more about your passion as a runner and your desire to be part of a local community”. A community: I think that is important; for in these times of great personal loss, we should all count our blessings that we have each other for the support and friendship that a local running club can provide. So I say good riddance to 2016 and goodbye to my dear friends and pray that 2017 will be a year of personal growth and reward for all of us. And if it isn’t, you have my personal blessing to kick me out of office and replace me with someone who can turn our fortunes around!
I also would like you to be thinking about your 2016 running accomplishments and the accomplishments of your fellow runners. At this time every year, we begin collecting the information which will help us identify potential club award recipients. Please feel free to send any board member an email or a note with your recommendations and please tell us about your running goals for 2017!
The next board meeting is Wed., January 11 at Ray Christensen’s house. Any club member is welcome to attend. Stay healthy; stay warm; and stay happy this winter!
Joel
Membership
We currently stand at 150 memberships with 222 members! Please welcome our newest club member: Frank Berman.
Membership is only $25 and is good for your entire family. PCVRC membership is also tax deductible.
Any member who races for PCVRC in 4 or more USATF races a calendar year, and is a member of USATF, will receive complimentary PCVRC membership for the following calendar year. We will notify these members in January. New members who join on or after June 1st but before October 1st will pay a reduced rate of $15 to cover membership for the remainder of the current calendar year, then are subject to same renewal policy as current members stated above. Anyone who joins on or after October 1st would pay $25 that would cover them for remainder of current calendar year plus the entire following calendar year.
To renew your dues: www.pcvrc.com/join.php. or send a $25 check or money order (payable to PCVRC) to: PCVRC, PO Box 3259, Wilmington, DE 19804
Treasurer’s Report
Lenora reports that the club has ended 2016 with total cash of $27,445, with $15,184 of this in the DDC account. We ended year-end 2015 with $29,833 in cash, with $19,327 of this in the DDC account.
DDC 15K & 5K
The DDC 15K will again be part of the 2017 Mid-Atlantic USATF road racing series.
Couch 2 5K
The Couch to 5K and Couch to 10K programs are currently on winter hiatus, although the Spring 2017 Couch 2 5K program is being planned. Some folks continue to meet weekly for fun runs and walks and would welcome your participation. To learn more, please ask to join our C210Kers Facebook group or email Amy Temple at
USATF Update
The club began 2016 by being recognized by the Mid Atlantic USATF with the Jack Milne Award as the Outstanding Adult Club of the Year for 2015. The annual award is given to a Mid Atlantic member organization for exceptional achievements in the prior year in regional or national competitions. PCVRC received this award in recognition of our success in the Mid Atlantic Grand Prix club challenge competition. The club repeated as overall champion in the 11 event road race series for 2015.
2016 marked another opportunity for PCVRC but a 3-peat would not be an easy task with many other talented clubs in the Mid Atlantic region. The season began with narrow victory at the Haddonfield, NJ 5k with strong challenges from Athena and Philly Runner clubs. Following tough races at the Caesar Rodney Half and Valley Forge 5 Miler, the club was looking to hang on to stay in the top tier of competition. Great turnouts and results at the Broad St. 10 miler (despite a steady rain) and a first place finish at the Moorestown 8k in June brought PCVRC back into the lead heading into the summer break.
The fall season commenced with the Delaware Distance Classic and its epic rain and wind conditions. The PCVRC team was damp but prevailed under the most challenging conditions in recent history. The following 3 events of the fall season would be closely contested with the series winner determined on the final race weekend of the year at the Philly Marathon running festival.
The club finished in 3rd place for 2016, narrowly missing a 2nd place finish by a mere 6 points.
The off road series offers a different set of challenges for runners looking to test themselves on the trails in the surrounding hills and valleys of PA and DE. The season kicked off in February with the annual Ugly Mudder Trail Race in Reading, PA. For an event that often provides the extra challenge of ice and snow the club ran very well under dry and warm conditions to finish in 2nd place. The Tyler Arboretum race in April provided a new set of challenges as the race began with a mix of rain and snow and finished in full blown snow storm that left the area covered in 3 inches of fresh snow. They finished first for the day and took over first place in the series. It is a long season and the next event in Pottstown, PA saw PCVRC slip back into 2nd place, finishing .60 points behind the lead club for the day. Strong performances from the Greater Philadelphia team over the next 3 events would distance them from PCVRC. The club race team ran well in the final 2 events of the year and held off a strong challenge from the Rosemont club over these final races. The club finished the season in 2nd place for 2016 season.
Thank you to everyone who participated in both the Grand Prix and Off-Road series in 2016. Special recognition to the following for achieving top age grade performances in the season for the Grand Prix: Greg Cauller 1st, Dave Wiechecki 2nd, John Costello 4th, Mike DiGennaro 11th. Age group awards to Brenda Hodge, Betty Olmstead, Mike O’Brian, Matt Cutrona, Keith Crispin, Greg Cauller, Dave Wiechecki, and Tom Steenkamer. In the off-road series, age group awards went to Allison Ostland, Lisa Jalot, Keith Crispin, Dave Wiechecki, Greg Cauller.
In closing, I would be remiss if I did not recognize the unfortunate and untimely loss of our oldest team member John Schultz. John was a frequent competitor in both the Grand Prix and Off-Road series events. John was typically the first club member to announce his commitment to compete in a race and seldom missed an event due to injury or illness. John wasn’t the fastest but he accepted the challenge and embodied the spirit of the competition.
Social Activities
Looking ahead into 2017, our first club event will be a pub crawl and fun run. Look for more details in January’s newsletter!
Race Results (2016 Highlights)
Kim Riccio accomplished her 2016 goal of completing at least one 5K a month.
Other highlights from the year include:
Frank Owczarek: South Beach Miami Half Marathon: 1h 49′ 15″
Don Coats: Caesar Rodney Half Marathon: 1h 59′ 57″
Would you like your race results (or those of a fellow club member who you are proud of) included in the next eBulletin?
If so, please send them to Blythe (). We can only print what you send us, so please share your achievements!
Other News
Betty Olmstead has joined a team called 261 Fearless, and has signed up to run the 2017 Boston Marathon with Kathrine Switzer and a bunch of like -minded ladies. For every donation of at least $26.10, she will give you a hat she has knitted. Email her your favorite color (s), size, and if you are sensitive to any materials, and she’ll give you a hat as a thank you for your support! To donate, go to https://www.crowdrise.com/261FearlessBoston2017/fundraiser/elizabetholmstead.
2016 PCVRC Board
Club Officers are:
Joel Schiller, President
Dirk Sweigart, VP
Jerry Herman, Secretary
Lenora Wagner, Treasurer
Other Voting Members are:
Tom Steenkamer – USA TF
Jim Steele – DDC Race Director
Christina Xia – Membership
Ray Christensen – Emeritus/At Large
Kim Riccio – Social Chair
Links for Club Members
PCVRC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289855916248/
Sponsors Page:
Wilmington Trust offers wealth advisory services for families, individuals, business owners, corporations and institutions. www.wilmingtontrust.com/wtcom/
Foot Care Group provides comprehensive care and treatment of the foot and ankle. www.FootCareGroup.org
Harvest Market provides organic and natural foods, nutritional supplements, and natural health care products. www.HarvestMarketNaturalFoods.com
Cheskin Chiropractic: Dr. Jeff Cheskin is a club member & long-time sponsor w/20+ years experience. www.cheskinchiropractic.com
M&T Bank offers personal & business banking, credit cards, mortgages, investments. www.mtb.com
New Balance Brandywine & Christiana stores offer a 20% discount to PCVRC club members.
www.NBretail.com
Crabby Dicks has Delaware City and Rehoboth locations and hosts our DDC15K after-race party.
www.crabby-dicks.com
Hockessin Athletic Center enhances people’s lives while creating a sense of community. www.hachealthclub.com/
Wangs Oriental Food Store is a family owned and operated Asian grocery store located on Main Street in Newark. www.wangsoriental.com/
Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Center with seven convenient locations to serve you in Delaware. www.delawarebackpain.com/
Delaware Meadery – Liquid Alchemy Beverages is located on located on Brookside Drive across from Banning Park. www.liquidalchemybeverages.com/