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Friends, it is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the death of Margaret “Chips” Halley, longtime PTC member, runner, volunteer, and, with her husband, Jim, our volunteer PTC Social Coordinators and “Litter Getter” Coordinators for many years. Chips passed away on Saturday, 17 April after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She is remembered fondly for her constant smile and her love for her husband, family, and friends. Her obituary and funeral arrangements can be found at the Amory Funeral Home website (https://amoryfuneralhome.com/margaret-claiborne-waldrop-chips-halley/)

Rest in peace, Chips! You ran a great race!

Steve Peters, PTC President

It has been a while since I last updated you on our races… I want to thank PTC Board members Steve Amarillo and Bruce Davis for putting together and executing the PTC Spring Fever 5K, our only PTC race in March. We had a great time and a beautiful day for a race. I didn’t want to have another month without a PTC race, but Steve & Bruce did all the work!

Unfortunately, the Ft. Eustis 10K Run & Ruck has gone “Virtual”… they were required to limit runners to only those with access to the base and did not have enough registered runners to justify putting on a “Live” race. Please consider registering for their virtual event.

Our next “Live” race is not your average race… the Virginia 24-Hour Run for Cancer will be held on 24-25 April… runners will complete anywhere between 3.75 miles (1 lap) and 100+ miles at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. Because of COVID-19 restrictions spectators are not encouraged, but the park is open to the public and if you want to (briefly) see some amazing runners please stop by and see them in action. We have a new Race Director this year. Tim Scott has taken over from George Nelsen… but you can still expect to see George there as a participant!

Looking forward to May, all indications are that the Tabb HS May Day 5K and the Fox Hill Community 5K are both canceled or going virtual. But the good news is that the Joe & Sue Moore Memorial PTC Scholarship 5K is “Live” at Sandy Bottom Nature Park on 8 May (with a Virtual option). Please consider registering to support our PTC Scholarship fund.

As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, we are looking forward to June and July and our Trailzilla race series and the annual PTC Picnic. Look for updates in the “On Your Mark” newsletter, Facebook, and this PTC website.

Steve Peters, PTC President

Fellow PTC members, runners, and volunteers,

2020 has been a very difficult year for so many in our club, in our state, in our nation, and in the world. The coronavirus pandemic has wreaked havoc upon our culture, economy, and businesses. Our running community culture was certainly impacted as well.

In spite of it all, I feel blessed to be associated with such an amazing and inspiring group of people who are resilient and remain committed to staying active and fit, whether with running friends in their “bubble” or on their own due to social-distancing requirements.

We are blessed… perhaps spoiled… to live in the Hampton Roads with some of the best running clubs and events in the country. I look forward to the next opportunity to see each of you coming through the chute.

As the hour approaches midnight, I wish all of you a safe ending to 2020 and a very Happy New Year! I am hopeful that 2021 will eventually get us back on track for a “normal” race schedule, both locally and across the country.

Steve Peters, PTC President