President’s Message
On behalf of the Pike Creek Valley Running Club, I would like to personally thank all the volunteers, all the participants, and all our sponsors of the 34th Annual Delaware Distance Classic 15K & 5K. Despite simply horrid weather conditions (Hurricane Matthew), we managed to pull off our annual club event event! Thank you to our co-coordinators Jim Steele and Ray Christensen and to all the club members who helped. Our 15K winners were Darryl Brown of Exton PA in 50:24 and Liz Swierzbinski of Wilmington in 56:12; our 5K winners were Jamie Cantlon of Washington, DC in 21:08 and Leann Marcinek of Wilmington in 25:52. Financially, we did fine and should make about $4,000, despite fewer participants: 170 finishers in the 15K and 38 finishers in the 5K. Operationally, the weather caused some chip non-read and operational issues but we learned a lot from the experience and everyone seemed to have a great time; especially at the Crabby Dick’s post-race party!! We will continue to make as results updates as needed; distribute the unclaimed awards and left over event shirts; and address the remaining operational issues.
We proudly welcome new sponsors Wang’s Oriental Food Store on Main Street in Newark and Delaware Back Pain & Sports Rehabilitation Center: with seven convenient locations to serve you in Delaware: Wilmington (2 offices), Newark (2 offices), Middletown, Smyrna, and Dover. Also, we are happy to announce that longtime club sponsor Cheskin Chiropractic has started a new business Delaware Meadery- Liquid Alchemy Beverages – located on Brookside Drive across from Banning Park.
Enjoy the nice Fall running weather. Stay healthy and stay happy!
Joel
Membership
We currently stand at 147 memberships: 218 members. Please welcome our newest club members: Katie Driscoll and Joanie Zeglin.
Membership is only $25 and is good for your entire family. Any member who races for PCVRC in 4 or more USATF races a calendar year, and is a member of USATF, will receive complimentary PCVRC membership for the following calendar year. New members who join on or after June 1st but before October 1st will pay a reduced rate of $15 to cover membership for the remainder of the current calendar year, then are subject to same renewal policy as current members stated above. Anyone who joins on or after October 1st would pay $25 that would cover them for remainder of current calendar year plus the entire following calendar year. PCVRC Join/Renew: www.pcvrc.com/join.php. or send a check or money order (payable to PCVRC) to: PCVRC, PO Box 3259, Wilmington, DE 19804
Sad News
It is with sadness that I report that Pike Creek Hall of Fame member (1995) Becky Yencharis has passed away. Becky, 99, left this life in her sleep on Tuesday. Look for the obituary, which I understand she wrote, to appear soon in the News-Journal. A mass will be held at Holy Rosary in Claymont. Becky, at one time, held state records in three different age-groups and she still holds the State records for all distances over 15K or more in the women’s 70-79 age group. For those of you not familiar with Becky, she was very visible with her exuberant personality and her trademark bright red pigtails. Becky started running late in life and was a mainstay on the local running scene as well as at the local YMCAs. She was truly an inspiration to many longtime local runners.
Last month, we reported the passing of longtime club treasurer John Drodz. His obit appears in today’s paper and there will be a visitation this Saturday (Nov 5):
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delawareonline/obituary.aspx?n=john-f-drozd&pid=182246940
Couch 2 5K
The Fall 2016 Couch to 5K and Couch to 10K programs successfully concluded October 3; however some folks will likely continue to meet every Monday at 6pm at the Newark reservoir or for half priced nachos afterwards at Timothy’s of Newark. To learn more about our couch to 5K programs, please ask to join our C210Kers Facebook group or email Amy Temple at
USATF Update
The Mid Atlantic USATF road race season resumed with the 34th annual Delaware Distance Classic 15k. Race day conditions were less than favorable as the PCVRC race team members were challenged by a steady rain and strong wind gusts. Despite challenging conditions, our PCVRC team led the day in the club challenge competition by outscoring the ladies from the Philadelphia based Athena team by 3 points. Led by strong performances from Mike DiGennaro and Mike O’Brian, 2nd and 3rd as well as several age group award winners, the club continues to lead the 2016 club challenge competition.
Thanks to everyone who ran and supported this event in the most difficult conditions that I have seen during the past 8 years. With 3 race weekends remaining this year, the club will need to field strong teams in the Ben Franklin and Rothman events in order to repeat as Mid Atlantic champions.
Please note that anyone wishing to compete in the Ben Franklin 10k Bridge run must register prior to October 20th. There is no race day registration for this event.
USATF Off-Road
The PCVRC team competed at the Evansburg Challenge 10 mile race on 10/16. Held annually at Evansburg State Park in nearby Collegeville, PA, The race features a flat and fast race course with 2 crossings of the Skippack Creek. The race competition between the top 3 clubs was very close with only 4 points separating Greater Philadelphia Track Club, Rosemont Running Club and PCVRC. Our group performed well with 3 finishers in the top 20 and taking home multiple age group awards. The club reinforced its hold on 2nd place overall in the season long competition.
The final off-road race will be held on Saturday, November 26th at Brandywine Creek State Park. The DE Open Cross Country 5k race is a great event and offers lots of post-race giveaways. Looking forward to a great turnout at this event to close out the 2016 trail race season.
Social
Come out to a very yummy fun run and alcohol tasting! PCVRC members are invited to a fun run, meadery tour, and tastings of some of the best Meade in Delaware. Liquid Alchemy Beverages is hosting a PCVRC fun run and tasting/tour on November 5th at 2pm. The run is from the tasting room to Banning Park, around the park trail and back to the tasting room. Then the tastings begin!! There will also be a food truck there for your purchasing pleasure and fun games out on their back patio. Address: 28 Brookside Dr., Wilmington, DE. Let’s meet at 1:45. Check the Facebook page for more info and Kim will send an Evite to the event. Note: free PCVRC clothing to all who participate.
Also, the holidays are fast approaching, so please mark your calendars now for December 13th, 6-10pm at Timonthy’s in Newark for our annual PCVRC Holiday Party. Always a good time! We’ll be accepting 2017 membership renewals at the holiday party and we will distribute any remaining PCVRC clothing at the party. New club clothing coming in 2017!
Race Results
Switchback Scamper Trail Race 10K:
John Schultz: 1:33:32 (1st 80+)
New York Police Chase 10K:
John Schultz: 1:32:42 (1st 80+)
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge Run (5 miles):
John Schultz: 1:09:17 (1st 80+)
Would you like your race results (or those of a fellow club member who you are proud of) included in the next eBulletin?
If so, please send them to Blythe (). We can only print what you send us, so please share your achievements!
2016 PCVRC Board
The 2016 Club Officers are:
Joel Schiller, President
Dirk Sweigart, VP
Jerry Herman, Secretary
Lenora Wagner, Treasurer
The following club members are voting members of the Board in 2016:
Tom Steenkamer – USA TF
Jim Steele – DDC Race Director
Christina Xia – Membership
Ray Christensen – Emeritus/At Large
Kim Riccio – Social Chair