PCVRC Newsletter – June 2024
Summer is here! The days are long, temperatures are warm (or hot!) and race season is in full swing so good luck eclipsing your running goals for 2024! PCVRC members are running the Boston marathon, competing for the race team in the USATF road and off-road series and joining folks in the running community at our weekly Tuesday track workouts with Coach Jim Fischer, Thursday and Sunday group runs and PCVRC social events. The Club has increased the number of group runs and pop up events so check out the club website and Facebook page to see what’s happening. PCVRC is a social club and very supportive of all our member’s running goals. Most importantly, we have a great time running and welcome runners and walkers of all backgrounds regardless of race, nationality, religion, sexual or gender identity and of all levels of ability from beginner walkers to the highly competitive road racer to marathoners. For current and all past PCVRC Newsletters at https://pcvrc.com/pcvrc-news-bulletins-2/
PCVRC memberships for 2024
Please visit https://pcvrc.com/renew-membership/ to join for 2024. $26 online (or $25 by mailed check) includes all family members at your address. Club membership includes free T-shirt for new members, race discounts, weekly group runs, discounted Delaware Park passes (sold out for 2024), track workouts with Coach Fischer, fun runs, Club social events including Holiday Party, Spring Social, Delaware Distance Classic (our signature event), 10% discount at Delaware Running Company, eligibility to participate as a member of our team in USATF events and more!
PCVRC Charity Partner – Delaware Greenways
For thirty-five years, Delaware Greenways has been fostering community advocacy, enhancing outdoor experiences, and promoting environmental stewardship to empower healthier lifestyles for all Delawareans. By creating outdoor connections through networks of trails, pathways, and scenic road corridors, Delaware Greenways creates recreational opportunities that benefit body and mind. For more information on this excellent organization, please visit the website: https://delawaregreenways.org/
Discount$ for Club Members!
StretchPlex – 10% discount off any service StretchPlex (pptandfitness.com) using the code: PCVRC10.
Delaware Running Company – all PCVRC members get 10% off anything in store EXCEPT electronics.
Omega Project – $25 off 3D Gait Screen or $50 off full 3D Gait Analysis; $25 off 6 pack of laser sessions or $50 off a 10 pack of laser sessions
Liquid Alchemy Beverages – 10% off entire visit of All Natural Craft Meads and Ciders
Cheskin Chiropractic Center – Complimentary consultation for sports related or accident related treatment
Running coach – Alison McCann is part of Speed Sherpa Nation as a run coach and is taking on new clients https://www.speedsherpa.com/coaches or https://www.trainingpeaks.com/coach/alisonmccann
Omius headbands – 20% off with code PCVRC24 at Omius Inc.
Zealios – 25% off all Zealios products with code ZupPIKECREEK and can be used at https://teamzealios.com/collections and at any event where Zealios is vending.
LEVERMovement – https://levermovement.com/ Use code PikeCreekRC20 to get 20%.
See all current discounts at our Member Discount page, https://pcvrc.com/pcvrc-member-discounts/ where the password is “****”. (Members: email us for password)
Couch to 5K graduation!
The spring Couch to 5K program was a major success! The Club is grateful for Caitlin Reilly and the club members who assisted in providing an excellent 10-week program. The Couch to 5K program was conducted at Delcastle Park in conjunction with our Thursday 6:00pm group runs. Congratulations to all the participants with special recognition to those who completed the goal 5K race on June 22 (Kick off to Summer 5K). Check the PCVRC website for details on the next session of this popular program HERE.
Congratulations to Boston Marathon Finishers
On April 15, several Club members completed the Boston Marathon on a warm, sunny Patriots Day. Although conditions were not optimal, always a good time with fellow runners and friends. Special thanks to Lynn Knothe for handling the logistics of the trip including getting folks to the starting line and making sure all were collected safely at the end of the race.
PCVRC Racing Team updates
The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix and Off-Road series are in full swing! The road Grand Prix takes a summer break, while the shade on trails allows summer trail racing. PCVRC is currently leading the Off-Road series and sitting in second place in the Grand Prix.
April and May were busy months for the Grand Prix, with 4 races squeezed into 6 weeks! Laura Brenner, John Costello, Dave Wiechecki, Jeff Painter, and Tom Steenkamer all scored Goodr sunglasses for placing in the top 3 in their respective age groups at hilly Valley Forge 5 Mile. Two weeks later at the Broad Street run, which was run in less than ideal conditions, Liz Swierzbinski led the way placing 5th in her age group, and setting a state age group record in the process! Michelle Brangan, Dave Wiechecki, and Rob Mason all also placed in the top 5 of their respective age groups in one of the biggest, and most competitive, 10 mile races in the country.
On Memorial Day, Liz Swierzbinski was the lone award winner at the Memorial Main Street Mile. Finally, on June 1, the spring portion of the Grand Prix finished at the Moorestown 8k. The Pike Creek Ladies led the way with Debbie Isser, Carol Driscoll, and Liz Swierzbinski turning in top age graded performances. All three ladies, and Rob Mason, walked away with Goodr sunglasses for their efforts.
The off-road series has races spread out move evenly throughout the year since the shade on the trails makes summer trail races a possibility. Laura Brenner led the way for Pike Creek at the Coventry Woods 10k as the overall female winner. Pete LoBianco, John Costello, Bill Rose, Bre Kaiser, and Jean Western all won awards. On June 2, the Wissahickon 10k returned to the series. Due to an unusual breakdown of age groups, Bill Rose was our lone award winner, winning the 65-infinity age group.
Our racing team wants you! Any club member who joins USATF can participate and represent our club, both in our regional series and in National Championship events! The annual cost to join USATF is $55 at https://usatf.sport80.com/public/wizard/a/941/home, select Pike Creek Valley Running Club as your club affiliation. USATF members can enjoy discounts on series races, win end of year series awards, and are guaranteed entry in the Broad Street Run. Members of the club who are members of USATF and compete in at least 4 races total among both series will receive a complimentary membership to PCVRC for the following year.
Please contact Lynn Knothe () for more information. For the racing calendars for the road and off-road series, please go to https://mausatf.org/grad-prix-events/ and https://mausatf.org/off-road-events/.
Social Activities
Group Run at Liquid Alchemy – The PCVRC held a very popular group run at Liquid Alchemy Beverages, one of our long-time sponsors, to kick off Memorial Day weekend on the evening of May 24. Folks had a nice run and then enjoyed drinks, socialization and sustenance from food trucks on site.
Group Run at White Clay Creek – On Wednesday, June 26 at 5:30pm, the club will be hosting a group run at White Clay Creek State Park at the Carpenter Recreation Area (880 New London Road, Newark, DE). Folks are invited to run and stay for the free concert afterwards by Magical Mystery Tour (Beatles tribute). Feel free to bring lawn chair or blanket and food/beverage of your choice.
Group Trail Run and Social – On Thursday July 25 at 6:00pm, the Club will be hosting a trail run in Fair Hill NRMA. There will be a 5 and 8 mile loop option (or out and back distance of choice). Meet at the Fair Hill parking lot at the corner of Black Bridge and Appleton Road, carpooling encouraged (there is a parking fee). After the run, meet up at Old Stone Cidery on 959 Chesterville Rd in Lewisville, PA 19351.
Summer picnic on August 18 at Bellevue State Park – The Club will be hosting the annual summer picnic under a pavilion at Bellevue State Park on Sunday August 18, starting at 3:00pm. The Club will provide food and drink for this fun and social event. There will be an online sign-up for those who would like to bring a side or dessert. Stay for the concert as part of the summer series at Bellevue Park, featuring Chorduroy (Rock, Blues and Soul) at 6:30 PM.
Check out the PCVRC the website for more pictures from these events and for updates on other upcoming events: PCVRC Events Calendar
Group Runs continue every Sunday & Thursday, track workouts every Tuesday and Trail runs on Saturdays
Group runs continue at their usual places and times and a great way to interact with your fellow runners while working out. Click here for details
Sundays 8:00 am – meet in the parking lot behind Brew HaHa! in the Main Street Galleria, 45 East Main St., Newark (free parking); run in White Creek Park and back anywhere from 1-14 miles or more round trip. Anyone is welcome to have coffee and breakfast afterwards at Brew HaHa!
Thursdays 6:00 pm – meet at start/finish of Delcastle Rec Area; Run 1 or more laps of the 1.75 mile loop.
Tuesday evening track workouts: Workouts start at 6:00pm at St. Mark’s High School. Participants can warm up off beforehand outside of the track. Please check the PCVRC website weekly for any updates.
Saturday Trail Runs at Brandywine Creek State Park 7:30am. Meet at the trailhead at the end of Garden of Eden Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. Anyone is welcome to join, runs are typically 8-9 miles, but can accommodate anywhere between 5-12 miles. For more info check out the FB page.
For Your Information
The warmer and longer days back and sometimes runners forget the cumulative damage the sun’s rays can have on our skin even during short workouts or when running under cloudy conditions.
For guidance on how to protect yourself and some popular products to help minimize skin damage, see articles are HERE, HERE, HERE.
41st Delaware Distance Classic Registration is open
The 41st annual DDC will be held on October 20, 2024. This is the seminal race supporting your Pike Creek Valley Running Club as we welcome a new local charity sponsor, Delaware Greenways! Please support your club by running and/or volunteering to help with registration, handing out food and water and keeping runners on the course and safe. Course is flat and fast with many top runners in the region participating, including a number of other USATF clubs.
For details on the race and more pictures, go to the DDC website at ddc15k.org.
Your PCVRC Board
Please contact us with any questions
President and Webmaster: Ray Christensen
Vice President: Adam Shilling
Secretary and Social Media: Alison McCann
Treasurer: Andrea Riley
Membership coordinator: Cindy Alms
Sponsor coordinator: Dwight Swaney
Events coordinator: Mike Janis
USATF Team coordinator: Lynn Knothe
C25K coordinator: Caitlin Reilly
Running Events Coordinator: Hali Mckinley Lester
DDC Race Director: Alison McCann
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