The following club members were recognized for their achievements on 3/18/26:
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Frank McKelvey – 2025 Male Runner of the Year
Sarah Rusk – 2025 Female Runner of the Year
It is an honor to present Sarah Rusk as Runner of the Year. I first met Sarah when we raced on the New Balance Team together, and from the beginning, it was clear that she possesses a rare blend of determination, humility, and quiet strength. Sharing a room with her during our Boston Marathon trips gave me a front‑row seat to her incredible grit. I will never forget watching her line up for Boston only a few short months after giving birth—balancing a toddler, a newborn, and marathon training with a level of determination that was inspirational.
Today, with her daughters now older and even busier, Sarah continues to approach life and running with the same wholehearted dedication. She juggles the demands of motherhood, her work as a school guidance counselor, and a rigorous training schedule with grace and perseverance.
Much of this nomination is rooted in Sarah’s long-standing commitment to USATF competition, where she has been a consistent and dependable presence for years. Her performances speak for themselves: she excels not only in road racing and marathons but has also embraced trail racing, quickly making her mark there as well.
Sarah’s 2025 accomplishments highlight the breadth of her talent and drive. She won the Evansburg 14K trail race, earned the title of Mid‑Atlantic USATF Masters Cross Country Champion, and secured 2nd Masters and a top‑10 finish at the Rehoboth Marathon. These achievements reflect not just athletic skill but dedication and a willingness to show up for her team.
What makes Sarah truly exceptional, though, is her spirit as a teammate. When our team needs someone at the line, Sarah is the person who steps up—reliable, enthusiastic, and ready to support however she can. Her positivity lifts others, and her commitment sets a standard we’re all proud to follow.
It is with admiration and gratitude that I congratulate Sarah Rusk—a remarkable runner, teammate, and friend—on this well‑deserved recognition as Runner of the Year.
Eduardo Garcia – 2025 Male Rookie of the Year
This year’s Rookie of the Year is Eduardo Garcia, and it’s easy to see why. Since joining through the Couch to 5K program in 2025, Eduardo has quickly become a valued member of PCVRC, embodying everything we love about this club.
Whether he’s showing up for Sunday long runs or pushing through Tuesday track practice, Eduardo brings an infectious energy that elevates everyone around him. His background as a wrestling coach shines through in the way he naturally motivates and uplifts his fellow runners. He has a gift for making the sport feel fun and accessible, and his smile is one of the first things you’ll notice at any group run.
Eduardo and his wife Catalina have thrown themselves into the local racing scene with impressive dedication. You’ll find them side by side at Newark 5Ks, even on the coldest winter mornings, and they’ve already conquered both the Mushroom Cap and First State Half Marathons, frequently placing in their age groups along the way. Now, with a full marathon on the horizon, there’s no telling how far this duo will go.
Beyond the miles, Eduardo has become a true ambassador for PCVRC, representing our club with pride and warmth in the community. We are so grateful to have him, and we can’t wait to see what’s ahead.
Congratulations, Eduardo!
Roxanne Ramirez – 2025 Female Rookie of the Year
Angela Smith – 2025 Volunteer of the Year
Tonight, we recognize a motivated member of our community as our Volunteer of the Year, Angela Smith.
Angela’s journey with us began in 2024 when she joined the From Couch to 5K program as a participant. What started as a personal challenge quickly became a story of dedication, growth and giving back. At our kickoff race, Kick Off to Summer on June 22, 2024, Angela placed 4th in her division.–an impressive start for someone new to racing. From there, she continued to improve with each event, frequently finishing on the podium and earning medals along the way.
One of her standout moments came during The Bishop’s 5K, which was only her third 5K of 2024. Angela placed 2nd in her division, showing just how quickly she had embraced the sport. The following year she returned to the same race even stronger–earning 1st place in her division in 2025.
But what really makes Angela notable isn’t just her running accomplishments–it’s her heart for this community. Despite being a busy mom caring for three children, she makes herself available to support the program. Her dedication has even inspired her family:one of her children joined the program and went on to win 1st place in his division.
Angela also represents the spirit of volunteering. After running her 1st Delaware Distance Classic race and finishing 1st place in her division might I add, she didnt just celebrate and head home. Instead she stepped in to help–handing out water and cheering on the remaining runners as they crossed the finish line.
Angela Smith displays what we hope this program reflects: perseverance, community and inspiration.We are proud to recognize not only her accomplishments as a runner but her commitment to inspire others along the way.
Please join me in congratulating our Volunteer of the Year, Angela Smith.
James Bray – Hall of Fame Induction
Dr. Jim Bray has been a club member for many years and is a regular participant at our Sunday group run and Tuesday Track Workouts. On Sundays, he’s always ready to lead new people on a run/walk…
