USATF From Tom Steenkamer:
Off Road Series
The next trail race is the Wissahickon 10k on Saturday, June 6th. (Registration link)
Grand Prix Series
The next road race is the Moorestown 8k on Saturday, June 6th, 8:30 AM start time. Be sure to select PCVRC as your club during registration so we can compete in the race’s caffeine challenge. (Registration link)
Achilles Tendon Research Study
The University of Delaware Department of Physical Therapy is currently seeking candidates to participate in a research program for Achilles tendon injuries.
Candidates may have experienced or currently have Achilles problems including tendinopathy, tendonitis, rupture or repair. The study is conducted at the UofD Star Campus and is free for accepted candidates. See the attached flyer for more details and contact information.
Crabowitz
What: 5K fun run & Crab Feast
Date: Thursday, June 11th
Time: Any time after 5:00pm- Run begins around 6:15
Where: Szymanski House (709 Haddon Road, Wilmington, DE 19808)
Please mark your calendars to join us for the 7th annual Crabowitz 5K fun run and crabs! We will be supplying crabs, pizza, water, soda and our own Brewmaster, Tony BBQ, will once again be making the “Electrolyte Ale”! Yuengling will also be provided.
If these two types of beer do not interest you, feel free to bring your beverage of choice. This is a family event, so please bring your significant other, children, pets, neighbor,or whomever you wish to bring. However, please be sure to let us know how many will attend so we have a headcount.
This is not a serious running event… It is a serious fun event!! As the years have gone by, less and less people run and more people come to just drink, eat and have fun!! The only person that has to run is our own Jack Crabowitz (our mascot).
We will be continuing the tradition of asking for donations for the Andrew McDonough B+ Foundation.
Couch-to-5k Spring Session
Only a few more weeks of the session! The graduating race is just over 1 week away!
The graduation race is the 36th St. Anthony’s Italian Festival 5k on June 7th. Free breakfast is provided to all runners by the Festival! Registration and more details here.
The Newark Reservoir (map) is on Old Paper Mill Road, just east of Paper Mill Road and just north of Timothy’s (where the Christmas party was held). If you missed the first session you’re still more than welcome to come out and walk or run! See you there!
Note for the Fall Session: The start date has not been set but is usually timed so that PCVRC’s own Delaware Distance Classic 5k is the graduating race.
Carll Human Race Recap
On Sunday morning, May 24th, I ran “The Memorial Day Races @ the Berkshires” half-marathon in Lenox/Stockbridge, MA. I finished with a slightly slower-than-normal 1:55:42 time. It looked as though I got 2nd place in my AG, but they opted for a 10-year AG versus the typical 5-year AG, thus I had to settle for 7th. But then again it’s one of the hilliest, yet most beautiful, courses I’ve ever run (out of 27 so far).
Since most of the course was along scenic country roads there was very little fan support except for Main Street in Stockbridge and, of course, the finish line area. The few that ventured out onto their front yards to cheer us on were enthusiastic. Even that nice family of beaver in their little pond lodge peeked out to see what the “ruckus” was all about. The steep, long hill at mile 12 (25 for the full) was especially cruel for everyone I spoke with. Of course that’s what you get from a race in the Berkshire Mountains billed as the toughest on the east coast. Luckily the weather was a cool 48° sunny morning with plenty of shade trees along much of the route.
A portion of the proceeds go to Team RWB, a national veterans support organization that I belong to. What better race to run on Memorial Day?
They have a variety of races (Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, 10K/5K, 15K Trail Race, 51-Mile Dirt Road Bike Ride) along with a very nice 2-day music festival on the same grounds (SummerSound Live@Tanglewood) as the start/finish line (with your bib being your free ticket into 1 one or the other days).
The race gave out a small, but very unique, finisher’s medal, in the form of an enamel covered, stainless steel medal and a personalized (free if you register in advance) military style dog tags. There were also common technical shirts for all racers, with a separate version for the full marathon.
(Photo Credit: Carll Human)
Since the proceeds benefit two military charities: Team Red White & Blue and Soldier On, the race is even more special to me. In fact my girlfriend and both of her kids ran the 5K to show support for Team RWB, while I ran the half. With staggered starting times, by design, we all 4 finished within minutes of each other. Very cool.
(Carll with Jenny Sun and her kids Helen and Jeffrey)
(Photo Credit: Carll Human)
There are plenty of nice Bed & Breakfast type accommodations right in town, if you book early. I got lucky with a room at the Apple Tree Inn, which is just a short walk, like 2 city blocks, from the start/finish line and an awesome B&B. I highly recommend it for the full “Berkshires experience”. There’s tons of free parking right at the start/finish line, as long as you plan your route to and from, based on the course road closures (again, think SMALL town).
While the Apple Tree’s restaurant is only open for breakfast this early in the season, there are plenty of very nice local places, each with their own unique history and charm within a short drive, such as the famous Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge or even the Barrington – Solar Powered Craft Brewery/Restaurant (yes, solar beer).
Along the half/full course is the Normal Rockwell museum, which we went back to visit after the race. It’s a very nice little museum but a bit pricey if you’re not a fan of his art. But, I’m glad I went to see it anyway. I got to see several of his well-known originals on display. They even relocated his actual studio, a small distance from his Stockbridge home’s back yard, onto the grounds of the museum and it’s now open as part of the tour.
Overall it was a very challenging, well-organized, small race with no real bells & whistles other than the scenery and music festival. Perfect for those looking for a challenging race in MA but didn’t qualify for Boston. If you’re seeking a friendly, beautiful, small town race in hopes of “placing” or you just hate the huge races with everyone tripping over each other for the first couple miles and the cattle car chute for a finish line, this is your race!
Race Results, Reviews and Accomplishments:
(Corrected)John Schultz won his age group at the Kennett Run 10k, finishing in 1:29:14! Well done John!
Ben Mack qualified to join the Half Fanatics group by running the Delaware Marathon on May 10th (finishing in 2:08:04) and the Superhero Half on May 17th (finishing in 2:09:53)! These were his 3rd and 4th half marathons ever and he completed his first last October! Fantastic job Ben and Welcome from Half Fanatic #7841!
(Photo Credit: Mary Lynn Mack)
Wes Stafford placed 3rd in his age group at the Chestertown Tea Party 10 Mile Run for Radcliffe, finishing in 1:09:26.7!
Michelle Zechman placed 2nd in her age group at the Chestertown 10 Mile Run, finishing in 1:22:14.9! Great job both of you!
12th Delaware Half Marathon
(May 10th – Wilmington, DE)
Ben Mack 2:08:04
Kennett Run 10k
(May 16th – Kennett Square, PA)
John Schultz 1:29:14 (1st AG)
6th Superhero Half Marathon
(May 17th – Moorestown, NJ)
Ben Mack 2:09:53
Chestertown Tea Party 10 Mile Run for Radcliffe
(May 23rd – Chestertown, MD)
Wes Stafford 1:09:26.7 (3rd AG)
Michelle Zechman 1:22:14.9 (2nd AG)