The purpose of the Nittany Valley Running Club is to establish a sound, continuing program of youth and adult fitness, to promote development and competition for all age groups, and to conscientiously prepare athletes for competition.
NVRC, Calder Square P.O. Box 10348, State College, PA 16805-0348
The Draft Challenge Relay (the DCR for short) started in 2006 as the brainchild of John Sheakoski. Many of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK race regulars had run the race for several years, often on the same sized team, with many of the same people. John thought of the DCR as a way of mixing things up, getting new people involved, and having an interesting "competition within a competition".
The objective is to have a draft from among those who want to
participate such that the teams end up roughly equal in overall ability. John, as the "Commissioner", set up the rules for the first DCR. The first DCR was such a success that the rules have changed only slightly since.
In the first year, 2006, 24 runners were divided into 6 4-person teams. It was a tough challenge that year, since each runner had to run 3 Legs of the mOUnTaiNBACK. But the success caught on. In 2007, 7 6-person teams participated. In 2008, it was 9 5-person teams. The 2009 team size was 7 and 8 DCR teams ran. That team size was very popular because it allowed many people who thought they could only run 1 Leg of the mOUnTaiNBACK experience the fun of the DCR. So, back by popular demand, the 2010 team size for the DCR is 7.
Read John's description for this year's DCR. If you're interested, drop John an email at fantfb2003@yahoo.com.
Objective: Create multiple n-person teams of equal running ability. These teams will compete against each other within the rules of the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK Relay Race
Entry Into The DCR: Eligibility into the DCR is that you can run (not walk) the necessary number of legs based on the team size to, typically 2 or 3 legs each, but could be 1. (This year's team size is7, so all runners will run either 1 or 2 Legs). Pace is not an issue. In the past, the range of abilities has been great, but since the talent is spread among teams, the race is competitive and fun. Do not be intimidated! Equally matched drafted teams will keep us aligned during the race for plenty of head to head racing as well as lots of trash talking.
Entries are first-come, first-served. The list needs to be a multiple of the team size so that everyone gets drafted. If the list does not have enough runners to complete another team, then the last runners to sign up will not participate in the draft unless we either scrounge up the additional runners needed, or some runners drop out for some reason.
To enter, send an email to John Sheakoski ( jrs136@psu.edu or fantfb2003@yahoo.com ) indicating that you are interested in joining. You can also post your interest to the NVRC Yahoo discussion group. Please include your name, email address, and whether you are interested in running only 1 leg, only 2 legs, or if you would run either 1 or 2 legs in the race. You cannot choose which legs you run, that will be determined once your team is drafted.
As we get closer to the draft, all runners will be asked to complete a running bio. The captains will need to have an idea of your running ability for the draft. The bios will be distributed to everyone in the DCR before the draft. Submission of your bio is your commitment to enter the draft.
DCR captains will be chosen and ranked by vote. When the entrant list is complete, I will poll selected runners who are familiar with all the runners on the list. This input will determine the captains and the draft order.
The Draft: Once the list of entrants is final, an NFL style draft is performed where the captains (fastest runners) will pick runners for their team. Each captain is attempting to put together the fastest team they can. The draft will continue until all runners from the list are chosen. Since this is a draft, you will not know who is on your team until draft day and you cannot expect your year-long running buddy to be on your team. This is a good opportunity to meet new runners.
The draft is a lot of fun and is typically held at Champs on a Thursday evening about 1 month before registrations are due. Everyone is invited to attend…DCR entrants, friends, and family. It is common for us to eat and drink (beer) during the draft process. YES, there will be someone picked LAST, but everyone gets drafted. No one is left stranded. Do not be intimidated! The last-round runners contribute to their team’s success as much as the any other round, perhaps even more.
2010 Schedule (dates in red are tentative)
May, 2010 Sign up starts for the DCR. This is not a firm commitment, but determines the level of interest that will shape the team sizes for the year. This is first come first served.
July 19, 2010 Team size is announced: This year it's 7 person teams
July 30, 2010 Running biographies are due. Submission of the biography is the final commitment to join the DCR.
August 13, 2010 DCR Team Captains are chosen
August 26, 2010 DCR Draft
September 25, 2010 mOUnTaiNBACK Team Registration Due
October 16, 2010 Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK
DCR Bio Instructions
by John Sheakoski
Year after year I request some sort of running bio from all the DCR entrants so the captains can make an educated guess when picking teams, and year after year the bios contain all sort of information from a race time in the steeplechase to the type of beer you prefer. YES, all of these items are very important to know, but to help out a little, I have come up with a running bio template.
Do your best to fill in the bio form and add any additional information you want. Do not be afraid to make them interesting. Send the the bio to me (fantfb2003@yahoo.com or jrs136@psu.edu), or post it to the Yahoo group in an attached document. Please keep the bio to 1 page. DO not just send text in an email.
When the field of DCR runners is complete, EVERYONE in the DCR will receive the complete package running bios. YOUR SUBMISSION OF A RUNNING BIO IS YOUR OFFICIAL ENTRY INTO THE DCR.
There's usually some lively trash talk concerning the Draft Challenge Relay, but until race day it's all just talk. If you've been talking up your team (and talking down the others) here's your chance to put your money where your mouth is, and give a little more to this year's Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK charity, the Centre Volunteers in Medicine. You can also participate if you're a DCR bystander.
All you need to do is pick the top 5 DCR finishing teams in order and get your choices on the pool form along with $5 (cash only) to Marty Mazur by the start of Wave 1 on race morning. The pool form, with instructions and an explanation of the scoring, is here. The winner splits the pot with CVIM. In case of a tie, the winners split 50% evenly. If no submission scores any points, all proceeds go to CVIM.
DCR
Results
2009 Results (7 Person Teams)
DRC Overall Finish Team Name Time Finish ------ --------- ---- ------- 1 OK Go! 5:42:56 10 (Matt Petrarca(C), Shawn Kelly, Meira Minard, Jim Kisenwether, Mike Weyandt, Jonathon Thurley, Sara Noss) 2 The Tussey sEXyBaCKS 5:46:36 11 (Beth Herndon (C), John Domico, Jeremy Zerbe, Jim Myers, Sherry Tirko, Tom Karnezos, Mike Martin) 3 For Those about to Rothrock, We Salute You 5:47:30 12 (Elijah Shekinah (C), Lance Bland, Jamie Volkert, Kathy Koetje-Simin, Bob Cornwall, Deb Simoncek, Paula Jech) 4 Fools on the Hills 5:48:44 13 (Alan Effrig (C), Costas Maranas, Jeff Smucker, Mark Lee, Rob Shaver, Marty Mazur, Jessica Wekke) 5 Climbing the Walls 5:51:24 16 (Dave Moore (C), Nick Downs, Jim Moore, Julie Grubb, Dana Todd, Christine Rodgers, Michelle Hutnik) 6 Run to the Hills 5:55:44 17 (Andy Cunningham (C), Judd Michael, Scott Roycroft, Tara Murray, Joe Bollinger, Marv Hall, Sandy Gabel) 7 Everybody Hurts 6:01:52 21 (Tim Aydin, Ann Skulas-Ray, John Sheakoski, Anna Shamey, John Wilcock, Janet Jonson, Amy Blake) 8 Holy Cannoli 6:10:07 22 (Martha Nelson (C), Tom Cali, Selena Smart, Beth Kempton, Mike Goldfine, Kate Ryan. Tracy Williams)
2008 Results (5 Person Teams)
DRC Overall Finish Team Name Time Finish ------ --------- ---- ------- 1 Luke and the Millenium Falcons 5:46:34 8 (Luke Watson (C), Cheryl Capone Keller, Jim Myers, Lauren Radvansky, Michelle Hutnik) 2 Captain Anyone? 5:48:24 10 (Bob Chandler (C), Nick Downs, Mark Lee, Matt Soccio, Janet Jonson) 3 Thor Legth 5:49:32 12 (Tom Cali (C), Meira Minard, Jim Moore, Sherry Tirko, Lee Culver) 4 The Band of the Bland 5:49:53 13 (Lance Bland (C), John Sheakoski, Beth Kempton, Jon Thurley, Dave Miller) 5 The Ambiguously Fast Five 5:51:16 14 (John Domico (C), Andy Mazur, Ann Skula-Ray, John Wilcock, Christine Rodgers) 6 Gravity Girl and the Vapor Men 5:51:26 15 (Judd Michael (C), Laura Shackelton, Brett Michaud, Ron Cunfer, Andy Arndt) 7 Team Robin and the Useless Sidekicks 5:57:47 17 (Martha Nelson (C), Bob jones, Jamie Volkert, Joel Niemann, Julia Hess) 8 Bigger, Stronger, Faster, Harder, and Moore 6:06:43 23 (Dave Moore (C), Tara Murray, Mark Traband, Marty Mazur, Donna Matthews) 9 Fantastic Five 6:10:39 26 (Andy Cunningham (C), Jim Kisenwether, Jinger Gotschall, Michael Goldfine, Sandy Gabel)
2007 Results (6 Person Teams)
DRC Overall Finish Team Name Time Finish ------ --------- ---- ------- 1 Los Luchadores del Rothrock 5:45:20 6 (Dave Moore (C), Beth Kempton, Jamie Volkert, Mark Traband, Greg Luna, Jim Weinschenck) 2 Greenbacks 5:47:46 7 (Tim Murphy (C), Meira Minard, Cheryl Capone, George Lesieutre, Michael Goldfine, Bill Wortman) 3 Sara's Six 5:51:40 10 (Lance Bland (C), John Domico, Sarah Pabian, Jim Myers, Joe Horn, Shaun Wood) 4 One Wookie, Four Jedi, and Princess Tara 5:51:59 11 (Greg Dillon (C), John Sheakoski, Costas Maranas, Tara Murray, Matt Soccio, John Daley) 5 The Quick and the Dead Tired 6:03:14 15 (Andrew Webb (C), Laura Shackelton, Esther Prins, Jinger Gottschalk, Jeff Weinschenck, Paul Mount) 6 Six Pack of Speed 6:08:13 20 (Eric Tyo (C), Duane Serpentine, Frank Zaffino, Ruscena Wiederholt. Martin Mazur, Lee Culver) 7 No Whizzing 6:28:00 27 (Tom Cali (C), Martha Nelson, Jessica Neff, Miruna Sasuclark, Jonathan Thurley, Sherry Tirko)
2006 Results (4 Person Teams)
DRC Overall Finish Team Name Time Finish ------ --------- ---- ------- 1 The Good, the Bad, and the Uglies 5:43;22 7 (Andrew Webb (C), John Sheakoski, Esther Prins, Tim Brenza) 2 Three Mules and Sister Tara 5:48:33 8 (John Domico (C), Matt Newcomb, Tara Murray, Marty Mazur) 3 Third Wind 5:50:20 9 (Lance Bland (C), Meira Minard, Jim Myers, Brooke Fambrough) 4 The Mixed Quads 5:52:39 10 (Judd Michael (C), Mark Fedkin, Kelly Sampson, Erin T. Wyble) 5 The Hairy Bar Stewards 5:53:48 11 (Greg Dillon (C), Jim Kisenwether, Louise Miltich, Mark Traband) 6 Little Big Man 5:56:50 13 (Tom Cali (C), Greg Mitchell, Morgan Wasikonis, Matt Soccio)
DCR Stats
Over the years, the stat geeks in the DCR have compiled information on all the past races, including team times, runners, Leg splits, along with a fair bit of analysis. Team captains and betting handicappers might find the information useful. Here's the spreadsheet, current to the 2009 race:
