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Springburst Is Back!

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We’re excited to announce the return of Prince George’s Run Club’s Springburst 2022! 

After a two-year hiatus, PGRC will be hosting our 36th annual Springburst on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Springburst is the first of the club’s three signature races held each year.  

The race will be held at the Glenn Dale Splash Park on the historic Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis (WB&A) Trail which runs along the site of the former Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad. The mostly flat trail is great for runners of all levels and a nice trail for the whole family. 

For more information and to register see link https://runsignup.com/Race/MD/GlennDale/Springburst10K.   All current club members can save $5.00 on their registration fee using the code PGRC2022. And for those who want to invite friends and family members to join them in the race who are not currently part of the club you can share code FRFM2022 and they will also receive $5.00 off their registration fee.  

The 10K race and Kids One-Mile Fun Run, is part of the Maryland Road Runner’s Club (MDRRCA), Grand Prix- Series.  For more information on the Grand-Prix series see link MD/DC Grand Prix Series – Maryland RRCA (maryland-rrca.org).  

Awards will be given to the top 3 finishers (both male and female) of the 10K race and top finisher in each age group (both male and female): under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, over 70

Course pictured belowImage

Announcing Springburst Series – Virtual Challenges

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We are excited to announce the launch of the Springburst Series of virtual challenges. 

The Springburst Race is one of Prince George’s Running Club (PGRC) signature races. In lieu of an in-person event, or virtual race, PGRC will host a Springburst Series of challenges from March 20 (the first day of spring) to April 23 (on Prince George’s County 325th anniversary). 

The different challenges will meet people where they are in their fitness journeys and offer participants an opportunity to engage with our club in one or more of these series challenges.

Register for the Springburst Series


SERIES CHALLENGES


1. SPRINGBURST 10k


The traditional/usual distance of the Springburst. Participants can log the 10k wherever they are, however, we can share the course for individuals who want to run that route on their own during the challenge window.

2. SPRINGBURST Fresh Start  5k


Some club members have taken a break during the pandemic and are looking to get back running, or walking. The 5k distance gives a good goal, but it’s not about the time it’s about enjoying the view and smelling the flowers along the way.

3. SPRINGBURST MILE STREAK


The challenge isn’t how fast, the challenge is getting in at least a mile each day from March 20 – April 23.

4. SPRINGBURST RELAY MARATHON


Get your POD together and get out for a relay/miles adding up to 26.2

Register for the Springburst Series

OTHER DETAILS


SIGN UPS
Sign-up for one or all four of the Springburst Series challenges. Sign-up at any time! Sign-ups will stay open for the duration of the Series (until April 23rd). The Springburst Series is open to PGRC run-club members! Interested in becoming a member – visit pgrc.org/membership

RESULTS
Results will be captured in two ways based on the virtual challenge you participate in:

For the 5k and 10k options, participants will self submit their results via RunSignUp (more details will be sent via email).


For the Mile Streak and Relay Marathon, participants will join the PGRC Club on Strava and/or post their runs on their social media of choice tagging PGRC and using hashtags #springburstseries #10k #5k #runstreak #relaymarathon #werunthecounty

DIGITAL CERTIFICATE
Finishers of the challenge will receive a ‘digital certificate’ that they can share on social media as an acknowledgment of their accomplishment.

COST
The series is free. The goal is to engage YOU (members) and excite YOU about getting out running/walking as the weather warms up and reconnect with US in a fun/easy way.  

Questions, please email springburstseries@pgrc.org 

Register for the Springburst Series

Springburst 10K & Free Kids One-Mile Fun Run Canceled

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Over the past few weeks, we have been carefully monitoring information from our public officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  state and local officials,  Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) and various news outlets regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The situation has been constantly changing, and we have been monitoring shared information to see how we can accommodate our upcoming Springburst race on April 18.  During our committee meeting last week, we decided to cut the number of participants down to under 200 participants from the 250+ we initially had planned, to stay within guidance of our state and federal officials. 

As of March 19th , and with the new guidance from the CDC regarding the cancellation of gatherings of more than 50 people for the next 8 weeks, we have to make the tough decision of canceling this year’s Springburst race. No race organizer wants to cancel an event, but if public health officials require cancellation, organizers must follow this directive.

Although we are a non-profit, and have incurred some expense, we would like to offer you a refund of your race entry minus the service fee. By providing a refund instead of deferring your entry, we hope you will be encouraged to run with us next year. Individuals, who decide to take to refund option, please send an email to races@pgrc.org.

These are tough times for everyone and has put us all ina very tough position –  runners,  race organizers and even our charity partners. We do not know what will change tomorrow, but we have always prided ourselves on being great stewards to our club members and to our running community. We know this race is part of the RRCA Grand Prix series and many of you have been training and looking forward to running this race.  We are always looking for ways to improve and have been working diligently behind the scenes to give you a better race experience.

I personally want to thank our Springburst planning team, race directors, PGRC club members, volunteers, 10K training program participants and our sponsors, as they have been working hard to organize and prepare for this race.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for signing up for our race.

We truly hope that everyone stays healthy and continue to practice safe habits. We look forward to seeing you at our normal meetups, weekly runs, training programs and most of all, at the starting line next year.

Ndegwa R. Kamau

PGRC President

PGRC Fall Meeting and Board Elections

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Join us for the annual PGRC Fall meeting and board elections on December 14 from 11:30am to 1pm at the PG Plaza Community Center. This is a great opportunity to meet the board candidates and fellow PGRC members and learn about the club priorities for 2020.

In addition to the board positions, there are a host of opportunities to support the board in key roles that keep us running smoothly. Hear how you can bring your talents to our team and support these key roles that include planning social activities, assisting with races, coaches/pace leaders, and helping with publicity/social media. Learn more about PGRC board operations by viewing our club constitution.

Lunch will be provided. Please take a moment to RSVP at http://evite.me/TXEj4QA3Eghttp://evite.me/s9M4hp2MvC to assist us in ensuring an accurate count.

Where: 6600 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782
When: 1130 am to 1 pm
Agenda: Board Elections

Tuesday Weekly Runs

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Just in case you missed it: due to Purple Line construction, our Tuesday Track Night club run will take place leaving from Wells Ice Arena at 6:45 PM until further notice!

Meet the 2019 PGRC Board Candidates

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The slate of board candidates includes incumbents and as well as members who were nominated to take on important roles within the club. Click on the links for the candidates’ bios. Don’t forget to join us on November 17 for our fall meeting and board elections.

CANDIDATES FOR CORE OFFICES

President: Ndegwa Kamau (incumbent)

Vice President: Yvonne Hill (incumbent)

Secretary: Lisa Jordan (incumbent)

Treasurer: Mark Shroder (incumbent)

CANDIDATES FOR ADDITIONAL OFFICES

Membership Coordinator: Keirston Woods (new candidate)

Information Coordinator: Tina Nixon (incumbent)

Race Coordinator: Anthony (Tony) Bell (new candidate)

Training Coordinator: Maria Green (incumbent)

Volunteer Coordinator: Chris Nichols (incumbent)

Equipment Coordinator: James Roberts (incumbent)

Member-at-large: Monique (Mo) Richards (new candidate)

Social Chair: Fai Nelson (incumbent)

NEW CANDIDATE BIOS

Keirston Woods
I have never fancied myself a runner. In fact, if you’d asked me in 2016 or before, I would have explained that I hated running for the sake of running – I only enjoyed doing it in connection with a sport! I also thought that running clubs were only for experienced runners. However, in late Spring 2017, I was searching for a different activity; something challenging, complementary to a healthy lifestyle and well-suited for individual or group activity. While scrolling through social media, I saw an advertisement for PGRC’s Running Start Training Program, which was soon kicking-off. Despite my misgivings about the sport and its clubs, this advertisement intrigued me – the opportunity to learn about running and figure out why so many people love it, in a club that not only embraces new runners, but actively seeks them out. Hmmm? Little did I know that, in that moment, my relationship with running and with an amazing, fun and supportive group of runners of every level was born!

I have been running since June 2017, and advanced from 1:1 run/walk intervals to double digit miles in just over a year and I attribute that, in part, to the amazing people who are Prince George’s Running Club. I, now, enjoy the activity and challenges of running! I savor the competition and experiences of races! I look forward to meeting my PGRC family at weekly club runs! I appreciate the training and opportunity to learn from my PGRC coaches! I value the opportunity to motivate and inspire others and be motivated and inspired by them! I love all of the comedic and informative moments with my team that make me laugh and contemplate! All of this is PGRC. PGRC IS ABOUT THE SPORT AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE IT!!

As Membership Coordinator, I hope to introduce more runners to our AMAZING club and have the opportunity to cultivate new runners, like myself! I will work with fellow members of the board to integrate membership-focused components into existing club events, as well as facilitate new activities and events to draw new membership to the club. But, I will need the help of our existing members who love PGRC! Nothing and no one call sell PGRC better than US! I hope to engage my fellow club members to expand our membership reach. Don’t be surprised to hear from me!

Monique (Mo) Richards
I joined PGRC in 2016 for the Running Start 5K program. I have to admit, I couldn’t run a lick when I joined the program! I started off doing a walk-run method and in May 2018 I completed my first full marathon!! I’ve also ran a couple of half-marathons, 10 milers, 10Ks, 5 milers and 5Ks along the way 😊. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support and encouragement from my PGRC family. There’s always been a team member cheering me on at the finish line, during training and weekly runs. I am so grateful and proud of my running club, and I look forward to running many more races with my fam!

Anthony (Tony) Bell
The start of the running bug;

In 2002, I ran my first Army 10 Miler with a small group of soldiers to support the Army and all branches of the military.

In 2003, I ran in the Mardi Gras Marathon to raise money for AIDS Research in the D.C. area.

During a run in Greenbelt Park, I encountered a group of cheerful people running and having fun. One member, Karen Braxton joyfully invited me to join the PGRC and at which I also met Charles Outlaw, who introduced me to the heartfelt members of PGRC.

After joining PGRC, I became more involved with running. This was not just a running club to run, it was and is, about the bonding & camaraderie with folks in your community with active interests.

I have been a PGRC Pace Leader for the 5K, 8K, 10K, 10-mile training group & the Sunrise Coordinator for the Army 10 Miler, held every year.

This will be my first role as PGRC Race Coordinator & with my co-coordinator/Monique Richards, we are up for the challenge.

Prince Georges County has a vast number of runners & walkers looking for an active, supportive club to join like PGRC.

In addition, if you are interested in other local running groups, including the ones running for a cause, we will do our best to provide knowledge, involvement, and information about those as well.

As the Sunrise Coordinator (preparation for the Army 10 Miler), I might have some criteria.

I will try to be warm, effective, rational, encouraging and to end it all with a smile.

You will never have to run alone in Prince Georges County again because “We Run the County”

HappyFeet