Where has the summer gone? Folks in the northeast have been fortunate to avoid the worst of the perpetual “heat dome” although the humidity has still persisted. Certainly not enough to discourage Club members from participating in group runs, social events and races throughout the region. Check out our 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.
40th Delaware Distance Classic is October 8. Please Consider Running or Volunteering!
The 40th annual DDC is on Sunday October 8 at 10am. The race starts at the Riverfront and goes along the scenic Markell Trail again this year, but with a more convenient start/finish location at Hare Pavilion behind Constitution Yards. Registration is open with discounts for early registration. This is the main event and primary fundraiser for PCVRC, which also benefits our charity partner, Athletes Serving Athletes (Athletes Serving Athletes (asa.run). Please support your club by registering, volunteering or both! Volunteers are needed for 2-3 hours on race day to help give out food and water to runners, direct runners on the course and assist at the start/finish line. To volunteer, please email Adam at: .
For details on the race, go to the DDC website at ddc15k.org.
New PCVRC members welcome anytime of the year
Please visit https://pcvrc.com/join-our-running-club/ to join online or mail check for only $15 for the remainder of 2023 for the entire family. New members who sign up after October 8 pay $25 for the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024. Club membership includes free T-shirt for new members, race discounts, weekly group runs, track workouts with Coach Fischer, fun runs, Club social events including Holiday Party, Spring Social, Delaware Distance Classic (our signature event), 20% discount at New Balance Stores in Brandywine and Christiana, 10% discount at Delaware Running Company, eligibility to participate as a member of our team in USATF events and more!
Discount$ for Club Members!
Focus Multisports – https://www.focusmultisports.com/ 10% off all races with code PCVRC23
StretchPlex is offering a 10% discount off any service at StretchPlex (pptandfitness.com) using the code: PCVRC10. StretchPlex provides one on one wellness services that includes assisted stretching, massage therapy, personal training and compression therapy.
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.
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.
Running Warehouse – www.runningwarehouse.com 10% off with code PIKECV23RC.
Couch to 5K will Return in Spring 2024
The popular Couch to 5K program will return in the spring. Caitlin Reilly has generously volunteered to coordinate the program will assistance from other club members. This is a great community service of motivating new runners! The Couch to 5K program is approximately 10 weeks and will meet at Delcastle Park in conjunction with our Thursday 6:00pm group runs. The program is free and culminates with participating in a goal 5K race at the end of the program.
Check the PCVRC website for updates and details on the next session HERE.
PCVRC Racing Team updates
The Mid-Atlantic USATF road series picked back up on Sunday, September 10, after taking a break for the summer, Pike Creek runners were at the front of the pack during the rainy, hilly 5k course at the Main Line 5k in Wayne, PA. JR Creekmore and Liz Swierzbinski paced the club by winning the overall male and female awards. Additionally, Rob Mason placed 1st 60-69, Anthony Swierzbinski placed 2nd 30-39, Mike DiGennaro placed 2nd 40-49, and Greg Cauller placed 2nd 60-69. As of the last standings, PCVRC sits in 4th place in the road standings, although this will change as only six of the thirteen races in the series have been scored, a club’s top eight scores from the series are used to calculate final standings.
Since trail races are in the woods, the Off-Road series has been in full swing all summer! The trail squad competed in 3 events in June, July, and August. At the Run for the Ages at Nolde Forest in Reading, there is a handicapped start based on age and sex, anyone can win! Pete LoBianco led the way, crossing the line 12th overall, placing second in 40-44. Jean Western finished 1st in 60- 64, and Bill Rose finished 2nd in 60-64. The Triple Trouble 15k/30k/50k race offers 3 possible races, although only the 15k is scored in the series. All participants in the race are scored in the 15k, but may go on to run (much) further. Once again, Pete LoBianco led the way, placing 1st in 40-44. Laura Brenner finished as the second overall female, on her way to a second overall female placing in the 30k. Bill Rose and Greg Cauller placed 3rd and 4th in 60-69, while Betty Olmstead placed second in 70 and over. Trail races can frequently have an unusual distance, which was the case in the final trail race of the summer: the Chobot Challenge 13.25k. With such a strange distance, everyone set a PR! John Costello led the way, winning the 60-67 age group, followed closely by Greg Cauller, 2nd in 60-67. Jean Western and Andrea Rubinoff both won their age groups, to give PCVRC an outstanding day. With six scored races in the trail series, PCVRC is currently in first place!
Our racing team wants you! Any club member who joins USATF can participate and represent the club. The cost to join USATF is $55. USATF members can enjoy discounts on series races and win end of year awards. Members of the club who are members of USATF and compete in 4 races total among both series will receive a complimentary membership to PCVRC for the following year!
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/.
Please contact Lynn Knothe () for more information.
Social Activities
Summer picnic at Bellevue State Park – The Club hosted the annual summer picnic on August 6 for approximately 40 members and their families at Bellevue State Park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The Club provided food and drink and Club members brought a variety of delicious sides and desserts. A big thank you to Mike Janis for organizing the picnic and mastering the grill. Some folks stayed for the Malarkey Brothers (Irish/Celtic Music) concert as part of the summer series at Bellevue Park.
DDC course preview run – On August 12, Club members ran the scenic Delaware Distance Classic 15K course on a swelting morning starting at Hare Pavilion at the Wilmington Riverfront behind Constitution Yards on the Markell Trail. Besides getting a good workout in, the preview helped identify course markers and anticipated locations where volunteers will be needed.
Group run at Newark Reservoir – On August 26, more than 15 Club members gathered for a social run at the Newark Reservoir, running on the trails and paths in the park. Thanks to Ray and Dwight for organizing and providing drinks and snacks afterwards.
Check PCVRC the website for updates on day and location on the PCVRC website on these and other upcoming events: PCVRC Events Calendar
Group Trail Run this Saturday Sept 16 – Run with us for 3.5 miles (or more) on shaded trails at Elwood L. Crossan Park in Landenberg, PA (approx 10 miles west of Delcastle Park). Gather at 9am: See Events page at https://pcvrc.com for map and directions.
Water and snacks will be provided!
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 (UPDATE): 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
Dealing with leg cramps during a race can be frustrating and uncomfortable, affecting your performance and running enjoyment. Two good articles on preventing and managing leg cramps that also contain other helpful links to help you during training and on race day can be found HERE and HERE.
Your PCVRC Board
Please contact us with any questions.
President and Webmaster: Ray Christensen
Vice President; Anthony Swierzbinski
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
DDC Race Director: Alison McCann