The following club members were recognized for their achievements:
Zach Chupa – 2017 Runner of the Year
Zach had a phenomenal running year in 2017. He broke 2 state age group records. The first was at the Carlsbad, CA 5k where he won 4th overall in the Masters Race with a 15:53. The second was at the Broad Street 10-miler where he ran 54:25 (that’s a 5 ½ minute pace for 10 miles!) that got him a first Master’s.
Zach’s 8k time at Rothman was also considerably faster than the existing state record for 5 miles but there is not currently a category for 8k.
Zach was also a key contributor to the club’s USATF race team competing in 5 road and 2 off road races. For that, Zach was recognized as the 1st place runner in the 40-44 age group in the Grand Prix series.
Jim Steele – 2017 Member of the Year
Jim is a great example of someone who recognizes the many benefits of running and cycling while “paying it forward” so that others can also enjoy its rewards. A former winner of the PCVRC Member of the Year Award in 2012, Jim has served as a long time board member of the club, as its Membership Coordinator, as a club Vice President, and in recent years, as the club’s coordinator for the Delaware Distance Classic 15K, our signature running event. Jim is loyal, dedicated, and tireless and has been instrumental in helping the club forge a positive relationship with Fusion Fitness and the Town of Delaware City, while balancing his home life, work life, and fitness goals.
Over the past few years, Jim has also been race director of the Old New Castle 5 mile run, which benefits a scholarship fund for a hometown hero, Elizabeth A. Loncki, who lost her life in Iraq in 2007. Managing race events involves a good deal of time and dedication, so the club appreciates his involvement on the Delaware Distance Classic committee and in always being willing to jump on a committee or handle an assignment. For 2018, Jim hopes to run more with the Panera crew on Sunday mornings and he is looking forward to traveling, training, and participating in select running and cycling events.
Outstanding Achievement
Stacey Schiller – an outstanding achievement award for completing her FIRST Ironman (Ironwoman?) Triathlon at 2017 Ironman Arizona. 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a marathon.
Brenda Hodge – Brenda had another outstanding running year. She finished as the top masters woman at the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler (63:50). At Broad St she ran a new PR of 63:17. At the Boston Marathon, she finished 8th in her Age Group with a 3:13 and then got 2nd master at Grandma’s (3:00:16!). Finally, she went back under 3 with a 2:59 at the NY marathon, garnering 2nd in her Age Group.
Dave (DJ) Farren – DJ as he is known to friends and family is becoming quite the accomplished runner
He started off his 2017 running season with the Williamsburg Colonial half marathon and 5k in February where he placed third place overall with a time of 18:21
He won his first overall at the “Run to the Courthouse” 5K in Stuart FL in 19:10.
During track season, he set two new PR’s at The Westchester Invitational. He covered the 1600 in 5:18 and the 3200 in 11:39
DJ was the overall winner in his age group (14-19) in the Sea Shore Striders Running Series, placing first or second in all six races.
To prepare for his sophomore XC season Hodgson High School, DJ trained all summer, averaging 43 miles a week, with an occasional race, track workouts, and lots of hills at Brandywine Creek State park. He placed 14th overall in 19:10 at the White Clay Classic “Sophomore only” race with over 30 plus teams competing. He posted his fastest time of the year at the Joe O’ Neil invitational, on his “home course” Bellevue State Park, , running 17:53.
He just missed All Blue Hen Conference placing 17th at White Clay with his PR on the course of 18:20 but needing a top 15 finish he fell just short.
He finished his XC season at the State meet at Killens State Park where he ran 18:15. He was the top runner for Hodgson at all 11 races and won MVP for his team.
In his best and last race of 2017 he ran the Surfin Snowman 5 miler at Bethany Beach in 28:53, closing in on Dads PR of 28:11 All of this and he is only 15.
Lee Dresser – Lee is being recognized for the noteworthy achievement of completing The Daytona 100, his first 100 mile ultra marathon on December 10th, 2017. Lee navigated the Daytona course, completing the effort in 27 hours, 11 minutes and 43 seconds. Lee is lifelong runner, with 18 full marathons to his credit, including 6 Boston marathons. Lee will compete in his 7th Boston marathon in April of this year. In addition to his running career, Lee is also an accomplished triathlete, completing the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon as well as two full Ironman events. Lee has provided inspiration for many runners through his diligent effort and consistent race results.
Congratulations Lee on your achievement!
In Memorium
Joseph John DeRosa – Pike Creek Valley R.C. member Joe DeRosa, 87, passed away on Sunday at Christiana Hospital. Several days earlier, while out running, Joe sustained irreparable damage to his spinal cord because of a fall.
Joseph John deRosa (aka “Count Jose”)
Wilmington – age 87, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2018 surrounded by his family. Joe was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in the communities of Yeadon and Drexel Hill, PA.
Joe enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. After raising his family and retiring, he enjoyed managing his rental properties, running races, competitive weight lifting and the annual polar bear plunge into Rehoboth Beach, DE.
In addition to his parents, Louis and Marie Forte, he is preceded in death by 2 sisters, Marie Sobeski and Louise (Late Richard) Quinn. Joseph is survived by his wife of 59 years, Rose Marie deRosa, two children, JoAnne (Charles) Watson and Joseph Andrew (Cheryl) deRosa, both of Newark, DE, 4 grandchildren, Rose Ann (Pietro) D’Agostino, Charlene Halter, Dylan Watson and Jordan deRosa and 6 great grandchildren, Arianna, Savanna, David, Marcello, Emmanuel and Javier, and a brother-in-law, William Sobeski.
Donations in Joseph’s name may be made to the Pike Creek Running Club, P.O. Box 3259, Wilmington, DE 19804 or the Delaware Special Olympics, 619 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19716 or the Delaware Senior Olympics, 1121 Forrest Ave., Dover, DE 19904.
