Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK Draft Challenge Relay (DCR) Making A Comeback!

Some of you know very well what the DCR is. So refer to the SHORT MESSAGE.

Some might NOT know what the DCR is. For you, skip down to the LONG MESSAGE.

The Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 Mile Ultramarathon and Relay is Sunday October 7th.

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SHORT MESSAGE:

"It's 50 miles to the finish, we have a full tank of gas, a half case of beer, it's dark (at the start), and we're wearing sunglasses (due to the glare off Costas's running shorts)." "Hit it."

You'll be singing the Blues if you miss out on doing this race with your running Brothers (and Sisters, of course). OK no more lame, forced movie references. I'm not a witty wordsmith like Bwana. To get to the point, there was no DCR last year. Several people, including me, mentioned missing it. So let's try to bring it back!

We need to know SOON if we have enough interest. Email me, Joel Niemann, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or the club listserve if you might like to join.

Also, get the word out! Talk to friends, coworkers, family members, people at your gym or yoga class...

Thanks!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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LONG MESSAGE:

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NVRC Picnic August 14 at Hi-Way Pizza West

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.

Nittany Track and Field Kicking Off 2018 Track Season

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..

Participants Needed For Hypertension Study

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

Read more: Participants Needed For Hypertension Study

Tussey Teaser #1: 15th Annual Laurel Run Switchbacker 10K

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.


pix teaser1 18 start                       Runners and supporting pups braved chilly winds at the start, but the forest provided some respite on the route.

pix teaser1 18 moms                                                          Two expectant moms supporting the effort made this a hike for health.
pix teaser18 1 closed                                                            David Lloyd approaches the first switchback with calm determination.

pix teaser1 18 josh                                                     Josh Litofsky lets the brakes go descending the final section of Laurel Run Road.
pix teaser1 18 joshnmeg                                      Josh Cone points out the lead woman, Meghan Mason, en route to a new women’s course record.

pix teaser1 18 meirsault                                                                Meira Minard executes a cartwheel over Josh Cone at the finish.
pix teaser1 18 3peat                                                     Seth Senior leads a small band of runners who completed three reps of the route.

pix teaser1 18 ashley                                                                                 Ashley McDonald was the third lady finisher.
pix teaser1 18 symphony                                                                          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

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

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!