Author: Will Palagyi

Starts on Tues., Aug. 5 with the Summer Fun Series Lake Matoaka Trail challenge

Tues., Aug. 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Lake Matoaka Traill Challenge, 4.3 miles (ish), Zable Stadium; Donate a can of pet or people food at the race; Event #1 of 3 of PTC Summer Fun Series

Sat., Aug. 9 – 8 a.m. – Taking Strides for Better Health 5K, Mariner’s Museum Park across from Warwick High School – See PTC Race Schedule for Registration Link

Tues., Aug. 12 – 6:30 p.m. – Tom Ray Predict Your Time 5 Miler, Newport News Park Campground; Run is on the NN Park Bikeway – no watches! Event #2 of 3 of PTC Summer Fun Series

Tues., Aug. 19 – 6:30 p.m. – Swamp Bridge 5K, Newport News Park – Picnic Area #3; Run uses the White Oak Trail; Event #3 of 3 of PTC Summer Fun Series

Sat., Aug. 23 – 8 a.m. – Scout Strong 5K, Mariner’s Museum Park across from Warwick High School – See PTC Race Schedule for Registration Link

On the Horizon – PTC Club Picnic on Sun., Sept. 7 – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Bethel Park, Pavilion 2, 123 Saunders Road, Hampton

Tuesday, April 15

Nelson’s Grant Clubhouse, 100 Laydon Way, Yorktown @ 7 p.m.

Speaker – Sika Henry

Sika Henry is a Corporate Analyst for Ferguson Enterprises and a Professional Triathlete and Ultra Runner right here in Newport News, VA.  As a collegiate high jumper and sprinter, Sika became an NCAA All-American in Track and Field while earning her degree in Economics from Tufts University.  After recovering from a traumatic bike accident that left Sika with significant injuries in 2019, she made history when she became the first African American Woman to qualify for her pro card in triathlon in 2021.

Sika was named Athlete of the Year as part of the 2020 Outspoken Women in Triathlon Awards for her work to advocate for and make positive change in the sport of triathlon. In 2022, Sika broke the Virginia State 100K Road Record, was inducted into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame, as well as the Virginia Peninsula Road Racing Hall of Fame. In 2024, Sika ran 51 miles from Selma to Montgomery as part of the Civil Rights Race Series, establishing the fastest known time covered on foot by man or woman, to commemorate the 1965 march led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As one of only a few African American women to break three hours in the marathon, Sika is featured in the documentary Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African-American Women Marathoners.

ADDITIONALLY – Election for the PTC Presidency will be held before Sika’s talk – Frank Leone, one of the faster members of the PTC has announced that he would like to step up to be PTC President. A board position currently vacant. Assuming Frank is elected (and yes another PTC club member can still step up if he/she desires), Frank will introduce himself to those in attendance as well.

On April 26^th and 27^th, the Peninsula Track Club’s Virginia 24 Hour Run for Cancer kicks off for its 2025 edition, and we are looking for lap counters for this year’s race! For anyone who has done this event before, it is well known that a major part of the race’s success are the volunteers! To date, we have raised over $310,000 for the American Cancer Society. We are very excited to continue to add to that total this year!

If you are interested in spending a portion of a beautiful spring day (we hope) outside at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton, Virginia, we would LOVE to have you! We are asking for volunteers in six hour shifts, but if you cannot make the entire shift, we will still be glad to have you!

The shifts we are looking for coverage for are:
·       7AM-1PM
·       1PM-7PM
·       7PM-1AM
·       1AM-7AM

Please email Tim Scott at va24hourrunforcancer@gmail.com if you are interested! Thank you!