Come to Club Holiday Party on Wed 12/15
Pike Creek Valley Running Club’s annual holiday party will be held at Timothy’s, 100 Creek View Road, Newark, DE on Wednesday, December 15, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. this location is right off Paper Mill Road, overlooking White Clay Creek. For directions, see events page.

As mentioned in the previously, by the time of the party, the club should have available 100 new club short-sleeve techshirts, provided by New Balance Brandywine and Christiana stores. Therefore, shirts will be given out at club functions, starting with the holiday party, until they are gone. So it’s first come, first served and it behooves members to come to the club functions. Sorry, only one shirt per household.

Tom Steenkamer’s Fast Family
Club member Tom Steenkamer‘s son and daughter, both enrolled at St. Marks H.S., placed highly in the Delaware X-Country Championship 5K Race last Saturday at Brandywine Creek State Park. In the Division One competition Chris Steenkamer was third boy overall in 17:27; sister Katrina was sixth girl overall in 20:31. Also in the Division One Girls race, Tom’s niece Meredith Steenkamer, who runs for Charter H.S., was fourth in 20:19.

Delaware runners can take pride in the fact that three girls, Haley Pierce, Julie Macedo, and Lindsey Olivere, all broke the ten year-old course record and became the first Delaware girls to break nineteen minutes on this course. Most likely these talented runners will go on to collegiate running careers.

No racing highlights to report this week. However there is some slightly late club news:

Happy Birthday to Joe DeRosa, who turned 80 on Tuesday!

Happy belated birthday to Don Monagle, who turned 80 in August!

John Schultz learned several weeks ago that he had developed a blood clot in a leg. He could not participate in the Marine Corps Marathon. It will be a full three months before he can race again. The club wishes John a quick recovery.

Come to Club Holiday Party
Pike Creek Valley Running club’s annual holiday party will be held at Timothy’s, 100 Creek View Road, Newark, DE on Wednesday, December 15, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. this location is right off Paper Mill Road, overlooking White Clay Creek. For directions click here!

As mentioned in the previous bulletin, by the time of the party, the club should have available 100 new club short-sleeve techshirts, provided by New Balance Brandywine and Christiana stores. Therefore, shirts will be given out at club functions, starting with the holiday party, until they are gone. So it’s first come, first served and it behooves members to come to the club functions. Sorry, only one shirt per household.

Bridge Challenge 10K
The sixth event of the Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix Series, the Bridge Challenge 10K was held on Sunday, starting at the base of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Camden, N.J. Unfortunately only three club USATF members participated. While these three participants ran well, with Matt Cutrona placing first in his 40-44 age group, registration for three others was turned away by the race organization after the registration reached the capped number of 4,000.

It is the feeling of some PCVRC members that race organizations participating in this series should ignore the cap number when MA-USATF participants wish to register. Otherwise, perhaps those races should not be part of the series. Our displeasure with our members being turned away from participating has been communicated to MA-USATF officials.

However, the good news is that the lowest team score among the seven events is dropped when the results are added up. So this event is PCVRC’s “low score”. Hopefully, there will be a full complement of runner’s among the three events on Philadelphia Marathon weekend (Nov. 20-21), which together count as the final event of the series for 2010.

Also note that the Delaware Open XC Championship 5K in Brandywine Creek State Park to be held on Saturday, Nov. 27, is the final event of the Off-Road Series. There are always great random prizes at this event.

Bridge Results:
SIMMONS DANIEL NEWARK DE 153
43 7 79.513

CUTRONA MATTHEW WILMINGTON DE 38
36 59 76.836
KAUFFMAN WILLIAM WILMINGTON DE 102
41 12 75.728

Race Results:
Lynn Knothe was fifth overall woman in the Amish Country Bird-In-Hand Half Marathon with a time of 1:34:16. However, she reported that she was not happy with the rolling, grooved roads nor with the for-profit race organization.

Two club finishers in the New York Marathon:
3:01:25 Keith Crispin 1st Delaware finisher
3:24:34 Mudhillun Muqaribu

Veterans’ Day 5K
18:05 Greg Cauller 3rd Overall
19:41 Lynn Knothe 1st Overall Female
23:26 Christopher Lavelle 1st 1-13 At 10 years old, this is his first race.
25:32 Linda Lavelle Linda has been running with Chris’ school team and has been trying to keep a maternal eye on Chris. This is the fastest 5K she has run in seven years and was three minutes faster than the times she was running in the summer at the Laws XC 5Ks.

Reminder: I check the local results as well as big events. But I can’t check everything nor do I always see the names of every club member. Send your results if I have missed them. Better yet, write a story if you had a memorable experience.

Holiday Party is Wed 12/15
Holiday Party: Last evening the board of PCVRC decided on the date and time for the annual holiday party: Wednesday, December 15, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Social director is still checking with several restaurants for a possible location. A decision should be announced by next week.

Club shirts: By the time of the holiday party, the club should have available 100 new club short-sleeve techshirts, provided by New Balance Brandywine and Christiana stores. Therefore, shirts will be given out at club functions, starting with the holiday party, until they are gone. So it’s first come, first served and it behooves members to come to the club functions. Sorry, only one shirt per household.

Club makes Charitable Donations
Part the mission of Pike Creek Valley Running Club is to promote fitness through athleticism and physical activity by not only being examples and helping others, but providing financial support from the funds raised through our signature race, the Delaware Distance Classic, and from other club income. To that end the board has decided to issue checks to three charities:

From the DDC bank account, $500 to the Mike Clark Legacy Foundation (http://www.mclf.org/). Mike was a local triathlete, know to many in the community, who passed away suddenly a few years ago. The foundation promotes physical activity.

From the DDC account, $250 to Back on My Feet (http://www.backonmyfeet.org/). BOMF is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. It has chapter in several large, mostly Atlantic Coast cities. Club member Austin Gee has worked for this organization.

From the PCVRC account, $250 to 25:40, Inc. This organization is raising money to help orphans of mothers who had AIDS in South Africa. A young woman, Dana Casanave, is running 52 marathons (http://www.52beginnings.com/) in a year, attempting to raise money to help 52 children. Each run is dedicated to a particular child. Being from Virginia, she has run many of her races on the Eastern seaboard and has completed 41. Before she is done will run in this area at the North Central Trail, Philadelphia and Rehoboth Marathons. The board hopes to able present her with the check at the awards of the Rehoboth Marathon.

Club members are encouraged to let board members know of other charities the club could help in future years. In general we want to support those that have some connection to running and/or fitness.

Radnor Run Five Miler results
After six events Pike Creek Valley Running Club continues to hold fourth place in the very competitive Grand Prix series of MA-USATF. The sixth event was the Radnor Run Five Miler. Below are the individual times and age grades. Next up this coming Sunday is the Bridge Challenge 10K. Go team!

STEENKAMER THOMAS RISING SUN MD 18
29 58 82.036
CAMACHO EPI WILMINGTON DE 50
32 19 77.978
KAUFFMAN WILLIAM WILMINGTON DE 55
32 57 75.215
SWEIGART DIRK NEWARK DE 94
35 17 69.107
HOROWITZ KELLY LANDENBERG PA 138
37 23 65.359
SZYMANSKI RICHARD WILMINGTON DE 118
36 42 64.396
HOROWITZ JACK LANDENBERG PA 139
37 24 63.681

People are starting to take advantage of letting me know about their race results that I wasn’t aware of. So I apologize that some of these results are several weeks old.

Tom wins half marathon
Tom Jermyn was the overall winner on October 16 of the Run for the Buds Half Marathon, which started at Rockford Park, crossed over the Brandywine to Alapocas Park and out to Rock Manor Golf Course before returning. Rather hilly, but Tom negotiated it in 1:24:36. In this event Matt Cutrona was fourth overall in 1:29:28 and Chris James was 5th in 1:33:14.

From Tricia Szymanski (about Rich Szymanski): Rich decided, totally last minute (early sat evening!) to run the Atlantic City Marathon – 10/17/2010 ~ his birthday and coincidentally his “17th” marathon as well! He got up at 4:00 a.m. and was gone by 4:30 a.m. ~ well, he did have to still register of course!! With only two weeks since his last marathon, Wineglass in Corning NY, he did an impressive 3:48:38! Josh [Loren] followed along w/ his bike and kept me posted back in De as to his time and whereabouts on the course. Great medal and course ~ all w/i less than 2 hours drive. A very good birthday indeed 🙂 !

From Claire Neilan: We had a number of Pike Creekers attend the Paws for People Wag-n-Walk 5K Run at Glasgow Park on Saturday[10/23]. This is a super event, especially if you are a dog owner, because you can run with your dog! They have a special award category for runners who participate in the 5K with their pooch. Greeting the dogs at the finish line are volunteers handing out dog treats. Good post-race spread….bagels, bananas, granola bars, muffins, krispie treats, and fruit drinks. Barbara Chelpaty volunteers with the organization, with her dog Tempo. PCVRC runners took home a number of awards, and Adam Shilling had a PR of 19.24 (2 weeks after running Steamtown!).

In attendance were myself, Jordan Fridman, Lori Culnane, Chris James, Tricia and Rich Szymanski, Lenora Wagner (spectating!), Barbara Chelpaty, Sharon Miner, Adam Shilling, Epi Camacho (18:59, 1st Master), Dan Weintraub, and Jim Steele. The fastest pooch ran a 20:40 – pretty speedy! Our dog, Shelly, managed a 25:18 with myself and Jordan. Also included in the festivities was a kiddie dash in which Adam’s twins
participated and were given a medal each at the finish. All in all, a fun 5K – and would be highly recommended if you are dog-friendly and looking for something different.

(Editor’s Note: Anyone involved in the organization of a race is welcome to publicize it in advance by letting me know about it.)

I missed the result for Caitlin Reilly, one of the club’s newest (and youngest members), in the Caffe Gelato 10 Miler. Her time was 1:29:42. She relates that she used to race in high school, but not so much in college. Now she looks to be picking up the pace as she gets into more racing.

Marine Corps Marathon, October 31
3:32:32 Theresa Kauffman Boston Qualifier
3:49:43 Chris James

E-Racing the Blues 10K, October 31
37:02 Matt Cutrona 3rd Overall and 1st 40-44

Caffe Gelato Fundraiser Recap
From Social Director Rachel Bleacher:
Thank you to all that participated in the Cafe Gelato wine dinner fundraiser for Pike Creek Valley Running Club. It was a big success! We had a total of 26 dinner guests and made $622.00 including $50.00 that was donated for signing up for the Cafe Gelato 10 mile run.

I apologize to those who arrived late and were unable to or had difficulty finding a seat with fellow Pike Creek members. I will be addressing that for next year with Ryan in hopes of accommodating everyone.

Thank you again for your continued support of the club. I look forward to seeing everyone at our next event, which will be the holiday party. (time and place to be announced later)

Rachel

Waffle Cone Ten Miler
The Waffle Cone Ten Miler was on Sunday morning. Unlike the wet, sloppy conditions in the inaugural event last year, this year the conditions were near to perfect with dry ground and moderately cool temperatures. Hosted by Caffe Gelato, whose owner is club member Ryan German, this year’s event saw an increased attendance from 207 last year to 316 this year. The increase produced the minor problem of running out of shirts, but those who didn’t get them, received vouchers for getting them later.

Although the event is neither a USATF race nor an official club event, it is sort of a semi-club event because Ryan allows club members to register at the price of $25 and gives $5 back to the club for each club registrant who signs up by the wine dinner. Because so many club members (22) ran the race and so many (8) placed in their age groups, netting a $50 gift certificate to Caffe Gelato for a first place and $25 for second, I am posting the results of all the club members I found.

By the way I have urged people at MA-USATF to consider the event for the off-road series as it would fill a void in the schedule. On a personal note, this race was sweet revenge for last year when I pulled a hamstring three miles into it and limped for seven years. This year I was over 14 minutes faster.

1:01:20 Tom Jermyn 1st 45-49
1:02:24 Tom Steenkamer 1st 50-54
1:06:39 Chris James
1:08:01 Lee Kauffman 2nd 50-54
1:08:51 Ryan German
1:10:14 Karl Kalbacher
1:11:00 Dirk Sweigart
1:11:35 David James 2nd 55-59
1:12:46 Theresa Kauffman 1st 45-49
1:19:28 Shannon German
1:20:33 Rich Szymanski
1:20:46 Jim Steele
1:25:20 Tony Chelpaty
1:25:21 Jack Horowitz
1:26:40 Dave McCorquodale 1st 65-69

1:27:19 Bob Bennett 2nd 65-69
1:29:41 Caitlin Reilly
1:31:31 Adrienne Kalbacher
1:32:05 Kelly Horowitz
1:33:26 Bruce Hubbard
1:37:38 Claire Neilan
1:37:38 Tricia Szymanski
1:37:38 Paula Jermyn
1:37:39 Lori Culnane
1:40:55 Lenora Wagner 2nd 55-59

In other news…
Dan Feldstein finished 1st in the 55-59 age group at the Queen of the Roses 5K in Chestertown, MD in a time of 27:34

For MA-USATF participants, the following events are coming up:
The Radnor Run Five Miler on Sunday, October 31. http://action.lungusa.org/site/TR?fr_id=2150&pg=entry
The Bridge Challenge 10K on Sunday, November 7. http://www.runthebridge.org/

Good luck to those club members who are running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 31!

Because the Boston Marathon filled so quickly this year, Doug White of the Delaware Sports Club has already gotten the information together for its bus trip.

Fundraising Wine Dinner at Caffe Gelato
Last minute alert: On Thursday, October 21 the club is holding a wine dinner at Caffe Gelato, 90 E. Main St., Newark. $22 of each persons costs will be directly to the club. In addition, for each person who signs up for the Waffle Cone 10 Miler, which will be on Sunday, October 24, at the dinner, the club will receive an additional $5.00. To reserve your spot(s), RSVP Rachel Bleacher at . Do not make reservations for this event through the Caffe Gelato website.

DDC 15K Additional Notes
Catching up on things not mentioned in the write-up for the Delaware Distance Classic 15K: The club wishes to thank club treasurer Joel Schiller and the Buckley Striders who manned the water stops. John Schultz was another MA-USATF participant for the club, but because the clock was taken down before he finished, the USATF representative did not get his time and his score has still not been posted on the MA-USATF website. The organizer of the series has been contacted about the discrepancy.

Kelly wins Green Mountain Marathon
Super congratulations to Kelly Horowitz, who was the female winner of the Green Mountain Marathon in South Hero, Vermont with a time of 3:10:11! Jack Horowitz ran 3:50:13.

Tony & Barbara run KC Marathon
Participating in the Kansas City Marathon were Tony Chelpaty, 4:20:56 and Barbara Herko, 4:41:05.

Links for Runners:
New Balance Brandywine & Christiana stores offer a 20% discount to current club members. See http://www.NBretail.com

Club member Joanne Hennessy Slawter offers 10% discount to PCVRC members: http://www.MassageForAthletes