Hi Pike Creek Runner!  This is a special issue focused on the USATF competitions and our running team.  All runners are encouraged to join USATF and run under the PCRVC banner!

The following is from Tom Steenkamer, our racing Chair: 

Happy New Year everyone,
We are 1 week away from the start of the 2019 USATF race season with the first trail race of the off road series. 

There are a few changes to the series this year with the start of the season coming in January with the Chilly Cheeks 11k on January 20th and the absence of the Radnor Red Steeplechase in August (race discontinued).  The race schedule is located here – http://mausatf.com/off-road-events/ 

The road series returns in February with the Frostbite 5 miler in Amber, PA on February 23^rd .  This year’s race schedule is unchanged from 2018. The race schedule is located here – http://mausatf.com/grandprix-events/ 

2019 marks the return of the USATF Club National XC Championship races to the Lehigh University campus on the first weekend in December. Clubs from all over the country compete as teams running cross country courses with distances of 6k for women, and 10k for men. In 2014 the club chartered a coach bus to take over 60 club members to this event.  We are  hoping that we can bring another large group of runners to this famous XC venue and have a great day of running and socializing! 

2018 was a great year for the club with a 3rd place finish in the road series, and 2nd place in the off road series! 

I need to emphasize that the 2018 results were built on the legs and feet of a small number of individuals. Specifically we had 6 individuals compete in 10 or more races between the 2 series.  These runners were doing this to support the club and not because they wanted to run every race (2018 season had 7 Off road events and 9 Road events). 

In order to get to Lehigh in December we need increased participation in both the off-road and road series races for 2019.    

To those of you who have been frequent participants of the race team – a huge thank you and reminder that it is time to renew your USATF memberships for 2019.  

For new members – those who expressed interest in joining the USATF at the club holiday party we need you to complete the USATF membership process by joining USATF and declaring your affiliation with PCVRC, club number 08-0025.

USATF membership application is located here – https://www.usatf.org/membership/application/index.asp 

I have been providing race team coordination for club for the past 6 years. We have had great successes during this time but I can no longer dedicate myself to this role. 2019 will be my last season as USATF coordinator.  Can you take on this role?  The club needs someone to step into this role and I am happy to help with the transition process.  

Happy running and I hope to hear from all of you interested in joining our team.
Tom Steenkamer

Pike Creek Valley runner,
Got the following from Mike Monagle, Delaware Running Company. Looks like a very interesting event!

This Thursday evening we are hosting an open meeting about HR Training.

-Doug Adams of the Omega Project who has done extensive research and publication about running dynamic analytics.
-Gary Rosenberg of Garmin

Discussion topics will be optimal HR Training. The use of running dynamics to improve training and Race-Day performance. Use of Power Monitors for running. The talk is free.

-Questions can be submitted prior to meeting if there is a specific topic your members may be curious about.
Thank you
Mike Monagle

Mark your calendars for December 10th!

Our annual (and popular) Holiday Party is scheduled for Monday, December 10^th beginning at 6:30 PM at Timothy’s in Newark.  All PCVRC members are invited – guests are requested to bring $10.  Our usual buffet fare will be served.  We are also inviting our sponsors and all the wonderful volunteers from our Delaware Distance Classic which was a big success!

Due to the great popularity of the raffles last year, we are doing this again.  Everyone should bring a craft brew to contribute to the Basket of Holiday Beer Raffle!  Sheri will be putting together a few other unique baskets to raffle.

Family members are welcome. Please RSVP on Facebook or email or reply to this e-mail.

This is a great time to bring a check and renew your membership for 2019.  Membership is only $25 and is good for your entire family. As a 501c(3), PCVRC membership is also tax deductible.  

Current and all past News Bulletins are online: http://pcvrc.com/pcvrc-news-bulletins-2/

2018 PCVRC Board  

Officers: 
            Dirk Sweigart, President
Wes Stafford, VP
            Adam Shilling, Secretary
            Andrea Riley, Treasurer

Other Voting Members:   
            Tom Steenkamer – USATF
            Dan Suher – DDC Race Co-Director
            Christina Xia – Membership 
            Ray Christensen – Emeritus   
            Grace Carr – Communications/Marketing
            Sheri Sweigart – Social  
            Jerry Herman – At Large

Links for Club Members

PCVRC Events Calendar: www.pcvrc.com/pcvrc-events-calendar/
PCVRC News Bulletins: www.pcvrc.com/pcvrc-news-bulletins-2/
PCVRC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289855916248/

Sponsors Page – if you visit them, mention you are a member of PCVRC: 

Wilmington Trust offers wealth advisory services for families, individuals, business owners, corporations and institutions.
www.wilmingtontrust.com/wtcom

Foot Care Group provides comprehensive care and treatment of the foot and ankle.
www.FootCareGroup.org

Harvest Market provides organic and natural foods, nutritional supplements, and natural health care products.
www.HarvestMarketNaturalFoods.com

Cheskin Chiropractic: Dr. Jeff Cheskin is a club member & long-time sponsor w/20+ years experience.
www.cheskinchiropractic.com

M&T Bank offers personal & business banking, credit cards, mortgages, investments.
www.mtb.com

New Balance Brandywine & Christiana stores offer a 20% discount to PCVRC club members.
www.NBretail.com

Delaware Meadery – Liquid Alchemy Beverages is located on located on Brookside Drive across from Banning Park. 
www.liquidalchemybeverages.com

Hi Pike Creek Valley Running Club Member!

Our Delaware Distance Classic 15K and 5K is one month from today. This is the time where we need every club member to volunteer and/or register to run.

Here’s what we need:

• Do you have a table? We need a number of 6’ folding tables for the start/finish and for every water stop (2 at some). If you have a table or can bring it, please email me. .
• Volunteer for race day and bring a friend! We need course marshals at almost every intersection and volunteers at every water stop. Plus people to help set up. Adam Shilling is coordinating volunteers. Please either call/e-mail him or me (Adam, , 610-906-9009; Dirk, , 302-545-7047) and volunteer to help!
• Were you aware that we have a party later after the race is over for volunteers?
• Register and run the race – you can do some volunteer jobs and still run. Get your friends to come and run, 5K or 15K.
• Follow us on Instagram and use the #DDC15K on Instagram whenever you post anything about running. We already have a number of posts and a number of followers, the more the better!

News about the race:
Due to concerns about safety of the racers at the start, we are back to the original 15K course, starting on the straightway and not on the curve. The 5K course goes back to the out and back course.

Crabby Dick’s will not be able to host us this year, they are under renovations during that time. Because of that, we are making arrangements for at least one food truck with food for the runners. Plus we will have the usual bananas, bagels, etc.

We have two new sponsors this year, Essential Balance Medical and Therapeutic Massage and Orangetheory Fitness (Limestone Road). Look for more information to come on these and all our sponsors. Plus M&T Bank/Wilmington Trust is returning as our DDC Title Sponsor!

Zeroto5K
Our DDC 5K class is training Tuesday nights at 6:30 at the Newark reservoir with plans to make the DDC their “destination” race . Please come out support this effort – show up and run there on Tuesday nights! Introduce yourself to trainer David Berger. Check for it on Facebook or get in touch with David Berger directly.
https://runsignup.com/Race/DE/Newark/PCVRCTrainingProgram

Meetups
Our weekly running meet-ups continue: Tuesdays at the Newark Reservoir at 6PM; Thursdays at 6PM at Delcastle Recreation; and Sundays 8AM at Panera on Main Street Newark. Now that

Membership
The club currently stands at 119 family memberships with 194 club members.

Membership is only $25 and is good for your entire family. As a 501c(3), PCVRC membership is also tax deductible. Also, any member who races for PCVRC in 4 or more USATF races within a calendar year, and remains a member of USATF, will receive a complimentary PCVRC membership for the following calendar year. We will notify members in January if they are eligible for a free PCVRC membership.

New members who join on or after June 1 but before October 1 pay a reduced rate of $15 to cover their membership for the remainder of the current calendar year. All members who join or renew before October 1 are subject to our standard renewal policy. Anyone who joins on or after October 1st pays $25 that includes the remainder of the current calendar year plus the following calendar year. Membership Renewals will be accepted beginning at the December holiday party and are due by March 31.

To renew your dues online.
Or you may send a $25 check or money order (payable to PCVRC) to: PCVRC, PO Box 3259, Wilmington, DE 19804

Current and all past News Bulletins are online: http://pcvrc.com/pcvrc-news-bulletins-2/
2018 PCVRC Board

Officers:
Dirk Sweigart, President
Wes Stafford, VP
Adam Shilling, Secretary
Andrea Riley, Treasurer
Other Voting Members:
Tom Steenkamer – USATF
Dan Suher – DDC Race Co-Director
Christina Xia – Membership
Ray Christensen – Emeritus
Grace Carr– Communications/Marketing
Sheri Sweigart – Social
Jerry Herman – At Large

Links for Club Members
PCVRC Events Calendar: www.pcvrc.com/pcvrc-events-calendar/
PCVRC News Bulletins: www.pcvrc.com/pcvrc-news-bulletins-2/
PCVRC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289855916248/