NVRC Picnic August 14 at Hi-Way Pizza West
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- Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur
The August meeting of the NVRC will be our annual picnic and will be held on August 14 at Hi-Way Pizza West on West College Avenue and Corl St. Since there’s no better way to work up an appetite for pizza and beer than a nice summer run, the event will start with a group run on the golf course, followed by entertainment, fun, and food at Hi-Way. The group run will start at the Hi-Way Pizza parking lot at 6. You’ll have your choice of the long loop around both courses (about 3.6 miles) or the short loop around just the Blue Course (around 2 miles). Everyone will meet back at Hi-Way where the pizza and beer will be served around 7. Come for the runs, or just show up for the pizza. We’re going to have a White Elephant Christmas in August exchange. If you’d like to participate, please bring a *wrapped* running/sports/entertainment related item, with cost of $10 or less.
For planning purposes, let Marty Mazur know if you plan to attend at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We may have the event in the outdoor seating area, but if we’re going to exceed its capacity, we’ll move it indoors.
Participants Needed For Hypertension Study
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- Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur
Participants are needed for a clinical study of hypertension at Penn State's Noll Lab. Read the statement below for more information about the study and contact information.
STUDY00003224 - The peripheral vascular effects of sulfhydryl-containing antihypertensive pharmacotherapy on microvascular function and vessel remodeling in hypertensive humans
Tussey Teaser #1: 15th Annual Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K
- Details
- Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur
March 3, 2018
Rothrock State Forest, PA
by Mike Casper
Blustery breezes greeted runners tilting at the switchbacks of Lauren Run Road. There was a dusting of snow on the mountain but only a few slick spots to make the run festive and the footing more sure than usual.
Josh Litofsky cruised glided to overall victory, with Steve Templin not far behind and Josh Cone in third. Meghan Mason, visiting from Minnesota, folded this run into her schedule and notched a course record by nearly 2 minutes. Meira Minard was second and Ashley McDonald third.
As has become a tradition, there were several “repeat” up-and-down participants. Seth Senior, Bob Shafer, Brian Thiede and Mike Zimmerman did the route three times (twice before the official start), Meira Minard and Tara Murray did it twice, and Jo Ohm warmed up with several miles on the Spruce Gap Trail.
Thanks to series sponsor Subway Restaurants for the party sub, which was handily consumed by participants at the finish line.
Those who run Tussey Teasers #1 through #5 (February’s Teaser #0 was a bonus) will be eligible for a special prize drawing that will take place after Teaser #5, the Eager Seeger Half Marathon.
The next Tussey Teaser on April 8 is the Tussey-to-Whipple 11 Miler, run on Legs 1 through 3 of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK course. To register and get details on the remaining Teasers, visit http://www.tusseymountainback.com/tussey_teasers.html.
News Flash: Central PA’s only race with age and gender adjusted results and awards, the Beidleheimer Sidewinder, now features a new start time, 9 a.m., an out-and-back route, and you can choose a 10K or 20K option. Online registration for this May 5 (Cinco de Mayo) race is available at https://legacy.imathlete.com/events/sidewinder2018. Proceeds support Team Ream. The race also features tech shirts and trophies to the first five finishers.
Runners and supporting pups braved chilly winds at the start, but the forest provided some respite on the route.
Two expectant moms supporting the effort made this a hike for health.
David Lloyd approaches the first switchback with calm determination.
Josh Litofsky lets the brakes go descending the final section of Laurel Run Road.
Josh Cone points out the lead woman, Meghan Mason, en route to a new women’s course record.
Meira Minard executes a cartwheel over Josh Cone at the finish.
Seth Senior leads a small band of runners who completed three reps of the route.
Ashley McDonald was the third lady finisher.
Meghan Mason with her winner’s spoils.
Overall Order of Finish
Place First Name Last Name City Sex Age Time
----- ---------- --------- ---- --- --- ----
1 Josh Litofsky State College M 21 41:18
2 Steve Templin Muncy M 45 41:39
3 Josh Cone Boalsburg M 35 42:33
4 Meghan Mason St. Paul, MN F 30 43:05
5 Meira Minard State College F 44 44:45
6 Seth Senior State College M 31 46:40
7 Brian Thiede State College M 30 46:40
8 Mike Zimmerman State College M 37 46:40
9 Bob Shafer Bellefonte M 37 46:40
10 Drew Funk State College M 32 46:55
11 Andrew Maguire State College M 47 47:42
12 Judd Michael Lemont M 55 48:28
13 Jason Spicher State College M 25 48:39
14 Dan Barker Belleville M 24 49:14
15 Ashley McDonald State College F 33 49:32
16 Tim Spigelmyer mcClure M 52 50:17
17 Jo Ohm State College F 26 51:00
18 Evan Bresler Penna Furnace M 34 51:04
19 Laura Cone Boalsburg F 31 51:23
20 Steve Baird State College M 40 52:24
21 Tara Murray State College F 41 53:51
22 Jacob Gordon Huntingdon M 29 54:17
23 Sharon Lupo Penna Furnace F 43 56:33
24 Jim Maras State College M 56 56:52
25 Noel Habashy State College M 35 56:52
26 Matthew Rooke State College M 34 56:52
27 Amanda Pighetti-Marshall Warriors Mark F 35 57:52
28 Regina Lozinski Port Matilda F 38 58:12
29 Chad Brown Red Lion M 46 1:01:32
30 John Pringle State College M 56 1:01:32
31 Daniel Bowers State College M 33 1:06:27
32 Brian Brown Lewisburg M 43 1:07:12
33 Ali Weyant Huntingdon F 21 1:10:30
34 Wade Brown York M 48 1:11:36
35 David Lloyd State College M 47 1:12:05
NVRC Fall Blood Drive Is September 13
- Details
- Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur
The Nittany Valley Running Club’s Fall Blood Drive is on Thursday, September 13 and has a running theme. You can participate by donating blood, volunteering, bringing baked goodies or just come to watch a running movie. Hours are 11:30am-5pm at the State College Presbyterian Church Social Hall, 132 W. Beaver Ave., in downtown State College. Note this is a NEW LOCATION for the NVRC drives, with easy parking. All presenting donors have a chance to win a free race entry or running gear. You can make your appointment online at http://www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearchList.jsp?zipSponsor=nvrc, just click the arrow to choose your time. Power red donations are possible at this drive. You can use RapidPass to do the Q&A part in advance on the morning before your visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/RapidPass. Non-runners are welcome, walk-in donors too. For eligibility info, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html
2018 Predicted Mile Contest
- Details
- Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur
A Predicted Time Contest was held in the last race of the Indoor Mile Series. Chris Cipro took the honors of predicting a time closest to his finish time in the mile. Chris thought he'd cross the finish line in 4:30 and was only 0.51 seconds off that time, finishing in 4:30.51. Still nowhere near the 0.01 second mark set by Mike Zimmerman a couple of years ago, but a great prediction, and a great mile time!
Nittany Track and Field Kicking Off 2018 Track Season
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- Written by Mark Fedkin Mark Fedkin
The Nittany Track and Field youth club is kicking off its 2018 track season in a week - on April 30th.
The club is open to any youth athletes in the age range from 7 to 18, and its main mission is to create environment for the kids to be introduced to the track and field as a sport, learn new skills, and train to achieve their athletic goals. The program is suitable for both experienced athletes and beginners.
Events practiced include: sprints, distance, hurdles, jumps (long, high, triple), and throws (shot, discus, javelin). The practices will be held from 6:15 to 7:45 pm Monday through Thursday at the State College High School track until June 15th. Additional practices will be organized at other venues. The lead coaches for the summer program are Mark Fedkin, Josh Litofsky, Andrew Maguire, Matt Lindenberg, Wyatt Kline, and Jayson Jackson.
If you have children or friends who are interested to join our track team this summer, be sure to sign up soon! Here is the link to the registration page: http://www.ntfxc.com/registration.html (both online and mailed registrations are available). We are also looking for volunteers and support coaches for various groups and events, so if you have any interest to be involved, please email Mark Fedkin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The NTF will hold an informational meeting (including Q&A and uniforms try-ons) at Park Forest Middle School Cafeteria this coming Thursday (4/26) at 7 pm.
For more information about NTF club and our summer and fall programs, please visit our website www.ntfxc.com or connect to our Facebook page. Also Mark Fedkin will be happy to answer any questions about the program. Email Mark at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2018 Nittany Valley Running Club Indoor Mile #2
- Details
- Written by Martin Mazur Martin Mazur
January 26, 2018
University Park, PA
The second meet in the Indoor Mile Series saw some very close finishes, particularly in the fast last heat. In Heat 1, Don Bond led most of the way and finished first in 5:49.85 for a very good Masters time. Becky Szabo was second in 5:56.79, and Erica Pitcavage finished just under 6 (5:59.07) for third. Michael Goldfine has been out of the running for a few years due to injury, but now, in his 60s, wanted to come back and do one more strong mile. Michael finished 6th in 6:15.81.
In the second heat, Joey Stoltz took charge of the field early on and finished first in 5:35.08. Mike Martin was second in 5:46.42 and Matt Smith ran third in 5:48.79. Everyone in the heat finished under 6, which is a good standard for the second heat.
Top Masters Duathloner Jeff Miller easily cruised to victory in Heat 3. If Jeff shows up at the last Indoor Mile next week, he'll take the Master's crown for best combination of two times. Jeff's time today was 4:48.09. Second was Sean Theoclitus in 5:02.77, and Shundai Li put in another strong Masters time to take third in 5:08.5, barely edging Adam Creveling. Harriet Smith ran the fastest women's time of the day, finishing 5th in the heat in 5:10.39. Suz Stein and Baylee Robey took the next two women's slots in 5:13.99 and 5:14.05, respectively.
The fast heat was Chris Cipro's all the way...until the end. Cipro had a huge lead on the field, and ran a decent final lap, but Matt Balogh came from nowhere, running a 30 second Lap 8, to catch Cipro and win the heat in 4:31.59. Cipro's 4:32.31 was good for second, and Mark Puleo took third in 4:33.43.
Don Bond runs away with the first heat.
Heat 1
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Place Name Time
----- ---- ----
1. Don Bond 5:49.85 (M)
2. Becky Szabo 5:56.79
3. Erica Pitcavage 5:59.07
4. Clare Gervino 6:14.47
5. Madline Margevicius 6:15.29
6. Michael Goldfine 6:15.81 (M)
7. Marty Klanchar 6:21.58 (M)
8. Lauren Braukmann 6:24.97
9. Phillip Pillin 6:32.73 (M)
10. Marc Burns 6:45.37 (M)
11. David Lloyd 6:48.88 (M)
12. Wilma DePiore 6:55.99 (M)
Heat 2
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Place Name Time
----- ---- ----
1. Joey Stoltz 5:35.08
2. Michael Martin 5:46.42
3. Matt Smith 5:48.79 (M)
4. Doug Schunk 5:54.39
5. Keith Henderson 5:55.97 (M)
6. Sean Hillman 5:56.30
7. Rita Concannon 5:56.80
8. Molly Holmes 5:57.36
9. Grace McStravock 5:58.46
Heat 3
——————
Place Name Time
----- ---- ----
1. Jeff Miller 4:48.09 (M)
2. Sean Theoclitus 5:02.77
3. Shundai Li 5:08.50 (M)
4. Adam Creveling 5:08.58
5. Harriet Smith 5:10.39
6. Wyatt Boscom 5:11.93
7. Matthew Rodgers 5:12.14
8. Suz Stein 5:13.99
9. Baylee Robey 5:14.05
10. Dom Wyzomirski 5:16.19 (M)
11. Mark Hawkins 5:26.59
12. Isaac Messner 5:31.10
Heat 4
——————
Place Name Time
----- ---- ----
1. Matt Balogh 4:31.59
2. Chris Cipro 4:32.31
3. Mark Puleo 4:33.43
4. Raymond Friend 4:35.24
5. Matt Pennock 4:38.02
6. Dave Rasmussen 4:42.93
7. Josh Velez 4:47.16
8. Matt Guenter 4:49.96
9. Ryan Clark 4:58.05
10. Steven Hanna 5:00.89
11. Brody McElwain 5:03.61
M - Indicates Masters (40 and over) runner