PCVRC Newsletter – January 2025
Happy 2025! We hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season and New Year. It is typically a time to reflect on the ups and downs from the previous year and set goals for the next year. The PCVRC is your club to provide and receive support and encouragement to help meet or exceed those goals and have fun doing it. While there may be fewer races on the schedule during the colder months, the club continues to hold groups runs on Thursdays and Sundays as well as Tuesday track workouts with Coach Fischer. PCVRC is also planning social events in the coming months so 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. For current and all past PCVRC Newsletters at https://pcvrc.com/pcvrc-news-bulletins-2/
41th Delaware Distance Classic Highlights
The 41th annual DDC was held on a beautiful Sunday morning on October 20. The race again started on the Wilmington Riverfront and ran along the scenic Markell Trail. This is the main event and primary fundraiser for PCVRC, benefitting our new charity partner, Delaware Greenways. Alex Horgan from Montchanin DE, was the overall winner in 48:10 and Lindsey Oremus from Norristown PA, was the overall female winner in 53:59. Top male masters winner was Tim Harte (55:42), while Allison Emmons was a repeat female masters winner in 1:00:11. In the 5K, Sean Coleman repeated as overall champion in 18:11 and Melanie Williams was the overall female champion with a time of 23:05. We are especially grateful to our sponsors who helped support the race and club with cash and item donations as well as the enthusiastic volunteers who helped with many aspects of the race. A big thank you to Alison McCann, DDC race director, PCVRC board members, and the dozens of volunteers, who contributed to this successful event. Note that registration for the 2025 race on Sunday October 19 is open. For complete race results and more pictures, please go to the DDC website at ddc15k.org
PCVRC memberships for 2025
Please visit https://pcvrc.com/renew-membership/ if you have not yet renewed or did not participate in at least 4 USATF events as part of our team. If you’re not sure if renewed, ask us at . Or notify us if not renewing. Only $25 per household. Club membership includes race discounts, weekly group runs, discounted Delaware Park passes, track workouts with Coach Fischer, fun runs, Club social events including Holiday Party, Spring Social, Delaware Distance Classic (our signature event), 10% discount at Delaware Running Company, eligibility to participate as a member of our team in USATF events and more!
Discount$ for Club Members!
See all current discounts at our Member Discount page, https://pcvrc.com/pcvrc-member-discounts/
where the password is “run82”.
Club Sponsors
If you visit any of our sponsors, thank them for their support. If you know of a local business that might like to affiliate with us, have them get in touch. We currently have approximately 175 household memberships, along with 250+ participants each year in Delaware Distance Classic 15K + 5K.
Couch to 5K Spring Session to Start in April
The popular Couch to 5K program is planning to return this April. Caitlin Reilly will once again lead the program with assistance from other club members. The Couch to 5K program is approximately 10 weeks and will likely again 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 in June. This is a great community service of motivating and reinvigorating new and existing runners. Check the PCVRC website for details on location and time of the sessions HERE.
Social Activities
Holiday party – The annual PCVRC holiday party was on Thursday December 12 at Klondike Kate’s on Main Street in Newark, DE. Club members and their families enjoyed excellent buffet of food and drink, while catching up with old and new friends. Many members also used the opportunity to renew annual membership dues for 2025, which are just $25 for the year.
Group run and social at Carousel Park – The PCVRC is hosting a no drop 3-4 (or longer) mile trail run at Carousel Park. Please park at Chuck Lagers on Saturday January 11 at 10:30am at 4500 New Linden Hill Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808 (off Limestone Rd). From there, just a short walk/jog to the park on sidewalk to the trail that loops around park for approximately 5K. Feel free to run the distance of your choice. All are welcome to join us afterwards for food and drink afterwards.
Annual meeting – The PCVRC annual meeting is being planned. We’ll let you know soon when we have a date and location. In addition to food, drink and socialization, club members will elect officers for the
upcoming year and recognize the past year’s outstanding achievements with various awards, including runner of the year. Please contact any board member by end of January for either or both of these:
- Annual Awards: submit name and accomplishments of a fellow club member (or yourself) to nominate for an award for the year 2024.
- Board Membership: let us know if you’d consider helping us improve the club! Several current board members have held positions for a while and we welcome any member who can take on a role and attend a few meetings per year (most are online). No experience necessary!
Email to nominate a club member for an award or if you would consider becoming a board member.
Boston Sendoff – Check the events calendar for details on the Boston sendoff in early April with a run and brunch afterwards to wish our Boston Marathon participants good luck. You don’t need to be running the Boston Marathon to participate in this fun social event: PCVRC Events Calendar
PCVRC Racing Team updates
The PCVRC racing team wrapped up a strong 2024 campaign in November, finishing 2nd in both the Grand Prix and the Off-Road series. The schedules for 2025 have not yet been finalized at this time.
Our own Delaware Distance Classic 15k, held on October 20, is part of the Grand Prix. Liz Swierzbinski and Allison Emmons led the way, placing 3rd overall female and 1st female master. Other club USATF runners winning awards included Anthony Swierzbinski (1st 30-39), Pete LoBianco (1st 40-49), Sarah Rusk (2nd 40-49), Laura Carlson (2nd 50-59) and Bill Farquahar (3rd 50-59).
Exceptional performances were turned in on the first Sunday in November at the Cooper Norcross Ben Franklin Bridge run. The Pike Creek ladies led the team with Liz Swierzbinski finishing 3rd overall, Allison Emmons finishing 4th overall/1st master, and Sarah Rusk finishing as the 3rd master. Dave Wiechecki (1st 60-64), Tom Steenkamer (2nd 65-69), Anthony Swierzbinski (3rd 35-39, Betty Olmstead (3rd 75-79), and Greg Cauller (3rd 65-69) were all award winners. The club even got to hang out with Ben Franklin himself during the awards ceremony!
The Philadelphia Marathon weekend is the traditional end to the Grand Prix. All 3 of the races offered both Elite and Open prize purses this year. A huge congratulations goes out to Angelina Hannagan for placing among the top three women in the Open division of the Rothman 8k! Frank McKelvey (1st 60-64), Dave Wiechecki (2nd 60-64), and Greg Cauller (1st 65-69) also braved the cold and windy conditions. Debbie Isser (1st 70-74) and Betty Olmstead (2nd 75-79) took on the accompanying half marathon earlier in the morning.
All racers at the Camp Innabah Fall Classic 5 Miler are treated to a hearty pancake and bacon breakfast. Jean Western led the way, placing first in the 60-99 age group. John Costello and Dave Wiechecki placed 2nd and 3rd in the 60-99 age group. Kwok-Ming Cheng placed 2nd in the 50-59 age group, one week after completing the Berlin Marathon!
The Evansburg Challenge 14k has been a mainstay in the Off-Road series for years. The trails on the course are less technical than many of the other races, making it a good race for road racers. Pete LoBianco led the way, placing as the 1st Master. Other winning age group awards included: Dave Wiechecki (1st 60-69), Laura Brenner (1st 30-39), John Costello (3rd 60-69), Bill Rose (4th 60-69), Bill Farquahar (4th 50-59), Bre Kaiser (2nd 29 & under), and Jean Western (1st 60-69).
The Delaware Open Cross Country Championship is the tradition finale to the Off-Road series. Pike Creek always has a large contingent who brave the hilly course and the cold and windy conditions.
Allison Emmons and Laura Brenner led the way, finishing first and second females! JR Creekmore used his experience coaching on the course to finish 3rd overall. Pete LoBianco (2nd 40-49), Bre Kaiser (3rd open female), and Jean Western (3rd 60-69) all picked up cash awards, while many club members won raffle prizes.
The USATF Grand Prix and Off-Road series has individual awards in addition to the club awards. Clubs compete against each other for cash awards. Awards are given to runners who accumulate the highest age graded scores over the course of the year. Congratulations to Liz Swierzbinski (6th), Rob Mason (3rd), Dave Wiechecki (7th), and Greg Cauller (8th) for placing in the individual top 10. Runners receiving age group awards in the Grand Prix are: Angelina Hannagan (3rd, 25-29), Allison Emmons (2nd 40-44), Sarah Rusk (3rd 40-44), Betty Olmstead (1st 75-79), Mark Hannagan (1st 30-34), Dave Wiechecki (1st 60-64), Rob Mason (2nd 65-69), and Tom Steenkamer (3rd 65-69). In the Off-Road series runners receiving awards are: Laura Brenner (1st 39 & under), Bre Kaiser (3rd 39 & under), Jean Western (3rd 60-69), Pete LoBianco (1st 40-49), John Costello (1st 60-69), and Dave Wiechecki (2nd 60-69).
Our racing team wants you! Any club member who joins USATF can participate and represent the club. 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. The annual cost to join USATF is $60 at https://usatf.sport80.com/public/wizard/a/941/home, select Pike Creek Valley Running Club as your club affiliation. 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/.
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.
For Your Information
With winter getting started, this is a good time to remind folks who want to continue training when the temperatures are cold and snow and ice present an obstacle to training. These articles outline some key precautions that can be taken to help you make the most of your runs in the cold and snow HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE.
42st Delaware Distance Classic Registration is open
The 42st annual DDC will be held on Sunday October 19, 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: Open
Treasurer: Andrea Riley
Membership coordinator: Tracey Mack
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
