Price until November 19: $20 for Pagoda Pacers members in good standing; $30 for non-members
Price increase starting November 20: $25 for members; $35 non-members
Price includes food from Fat Pineapple Catering, beer, wine, soda, and entertainment from DJ Tori from All Party Starz!
Our intended timeline for the party: 6-7 Cocktail Hour 7 Buffet starts (cleared by 9) 8/8:30ish music starts
It’s the event you don’t want to miss!
If you have items you’d like to donate for a raffle prize or if you have a business and would like to donate gift cards or products for raffle prizes, please contact me (Julia Hager) asap! I’d like to have all raffles in my possession by November 28th!
Those of us who love trail running, mountain biking, and hiking are so fortunate to live here in Berks County, where there are so many great trail networks to explore.
But maintaining our awesome trails requires a significant amount of work. Luckily, we know that many hands make light work. Join your fellow Pacers on upcoming trail maintenance days, led by our own Cody Harris and Michael Whalen.
No experience necessary—all ability levels can help!
No need to bring tools or special equipment!
Volunteering can count towards community service hours or Pacer Passport requirements!
The next chance to help out is on SUNDAY, October 18.
October 10thshirt cut-off and the next price increase are fast approaching!!!
There’s now 1 month to go until the Oley Country Classic 10M/6K. The shirt cut off is October 10th, and after that, you will not be able to get one, as no extra shirts will be available on race day. Additionally, both the 10-mile and 6K prices will increase by $5 after the 10th. There’s still time to get a great deal on a fantastic mid-fall race and a super-looking shirt!!!
If you’re not looking to run that day, please consider volunteering, as we need over 30 volunteers and only have a handful so far. Please see the link below for volunteer information.
Race Date: Sunday 11/1/2026
Location:
Oley Valley High School
17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547
Start Times:
9AM for the 10-miler
9:10AM for the 6K
New for 2026:
100% paved running surface for both distances!!! We got lots of feedback on last year’s “back-of- the-school tour” and changed the beginning of the course slightly to keep you on pavement for 100% of the course.
Regular registration pricing and shirt option (until 10/10):
9/8 – 10/10 (regular):
10-Miler: $30 without shirt; $48 with shirt
6K: $25 without shirt; $43 with shirt
10/11 – 10/28 (no shirt):
10-Miler: $35; 6K: $30
Day of Race (no shirt):
10Miler: $45; 6K: $40
Awards: 1st & 2nd in 5-year age groups (including 80+) are available in both the men’s/women’s categories of each race, and the 6K has added an under-14 category. Also, the 10-miler is an RRCA Eastern Regional Championship, so there’s a chance of double awards for some people.
Volunteers are a vital part of every race our club presents. As this race is spread over 10 miles, with almost no overlap, we’re looking for about 30 people willing to help (road marshals, aid stations, registration, setup, and cleanup). In the past, we’ve had race participants volunteer for setup/registration and then go run the race or run the race and then help clean up. If you’re not planning on running, there’s plenty of help needed as either a visible road marshal or aid station volunteer. Every bit of help is greatly appreciated by Danny & Jennifer. All the volunteer spots are listed via the link below:
Our mid-week group runs have at least two different distance options (3-4 miles and 5-6 miles) with an appointed leader for at least one of the two routes. Each run will have its own Facebook “event,” and the routes will be posted a couple days before the run. After each run, those who can will stick around for food, drink, and good conversation, either at a nearby restaurant or a club member’s residence. Come for the run; stay (if you can) for the fellowship. (If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries—just come run with us!)
This month’s Away Game will explore some of the lesser-known trails at Valley Forge National Historical Park. We’ll be meeting at the Knox’s Quarters trailhead at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 31 (aka “Halloween”). Costumes optional.
The route will be a trail run totaling about 10 miles. Shorter options will be possible.
Post-run lunch spot and exact routes will be posted to the Facebook Event.
Come early, grab a drink, stay after—it’s easy to chat, catch up, and socialize as a club before and after business. And if you need to skidaddle right after the meeting, that’s OK too.
Please remember to RSVP no later than Sunday, October 4!
September 12th, Lower stilling Basin to Old Church Rd. (6-7mi) with Skinners Loop option (just under 16miles).
Volunteer tab is active
currently around a dozen volunteers and will need at least 80.
If you want to volunteer at a specific aid station, note it in the comments which come up at the end of volunteer registration.
Will need help on Saturday before marking the course and Monday after for equipment/trailer clean-up at Michael’s
Held a recent aid-station captain meeting and 2 stations will be changing their theme.
Currently have 207 registered 50K runners & 8 relay teams.
Camping will be available again for $10 the night before (already 7 registered)
Runners contributing outside of Blues Cruise for Opportunity House and that’s now at $405. Donation to be made 15min before the race starts.
Big thanks to Diane Grimm & Monster Energy recovery drink for a donated skid of beverages(1600 cans).
Oley Country Classic (Jennifer Pierdomenico)
Sunday November 1st starting at 9AM
10Mile/6K option
Current registration at 146 registered runners which is well ahead of last year at this time.
Price increases after 10/10 (shirt option also goes away).
Will need close to 30 volunteers and tab is active on runsignup under the “More” tab.
Trail Maintenance (Cody Harris)
Great turnout last month
Upcoming bridge replacement:
Sunday 9/20 @ 9AM is next PPAC volunteer day. Work on moving the bridge beams down to the creek. Recommend long pants and closed toe shoes if volunteering.
New bridge assembly: 9/26 – 9/27 are Blue Marsh volunteer days
Bridge is scheduled to be completed before Blues Cruise
If reporting down trees to Michael or Cody, please note the Blue Marsh mile marker (and not the Blues Cruise mile marker).
Social Committee
Wine & Cheese (Lisa Domeshek Ashway)
Saturday September 26 at Barn at Cacoosing.
Cost is $20/$25 for members/non-members but increases to $25/$30 after September 12th.
Bike Ride (Karen Sinnen)
Tentative date will be May 15th with rain date of the following weekend.
Ride is 20-25 miles in distance and starts along 422 and goes along the trail (all paved) to Manayunk stopping there and perhaps another place for refreshments.
OLD BUSINESS
Opportunity House
Highway Cleanup
NEW BUSINESS
RRCA Runner Friendly Community designation (Michael Whalen)
Proposal: “The Pagoda Pacers, in partnership with Fleet Feet West Reading, apply to the RRCA for West Reading to be identified as a Runner Friendly Community”
After debate proposal amended to:
“The Pagoda Pacers, in partnership with Fleet Feet West Reading, apply to the RRCA for Berks County to be identified as a Runner Friendly Community”
Motion passed
Reach out to Michael if you’re interested in helping him with the application process (application due November 30th)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BCIAA is looking for 10ish volunteers to help at the High School County race on Tuesday 10/20 from 3:30-5:30. Reach out to Michelle Henry if interested.
Elections are coming up and reach out to any officer if you’re interested in serving for 2027. More information at the October meeting.
Girls on the Run is Saturday November 7th at the Berks County Heritage Center. Reach out to Andrea Adam if you’d like to help (7AM) or be a running buddy (race starts at 9:30).
MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:47 pm
This is the end of the October ’26 Newsletter.Continue scrolling if you would like to view older content.
On August 1, I ran the Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest completely solo and self-supported, and it was perhaps the biggest “jump into the unknown” feat I’ve ever accomplished.
ALT is a trail that runs approximately 30 miles (with ~9k ft of climbing) from start to finish in western North Carolina. Every summer I travel for a weeklong company conference in eastern NC, so this year I thought, why not leave a few days early and score a great trail run in the process?
When the idea first crossed my mind, I was excited but also incredibly anxious. I love running 50ks, but it’s something completely different, especially as a woman, to take on a completely unknown trail, completely alone. My sister connected me with her friend, Stephanie, a wilderness badass in her own right, who would provide me with some insight into the area and a shuttle the morning of my run.
I “took off” around 7:30 Saturday morning. I say “took off” ironically, because it was about 16 miles up of rhodie tunnels (aka, tight single track of rhododendron). Just climbing, not really even views to speak of, just climb, climb, climb, and more climb. I moved with purpose but mostly power-hiking and singing so I wouldn’t get eaten by a bear.
Around mile 18, I reached the most “tourist-y” section of trail and was rewarded with some great views and human interaction. At this point I was running low on water and started using my water filter. (Nothing makes you feel more like a badass than filtering water from moss runoff in the middle of the woods.)
In my mind, I just needed to make it to mile 20, and it would be all downhill. That was mostly true, but the last 10 miles were also the least traveled and most overgrown. The trail became very, very narrow and shiggy on both sides, taller than me. Although it was easier than the climbing, it wasn’t easy to send it.
Most of the ALT is marked by white blazes, but in the shining rock wildness there is nothing marking the trail. I had the route saved to my watch, and with about 4 miles left, it told me to go a very hard 90° (or more) to the left. Around the same time, janky, homemade, red, spray paint blazes began. I trusted my watch but at one point wondered if I’d ever get off the mountain or if I was being lured to a serial killer’s lair. (I’ve seen Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Deliverance, so that baseline of fear is always there.) I was so incredibly happy to finally make it to the trailhead and see my car waiting for me.
If you’ve made it this far through my “race” report, thank you. A few friends have asked me, “Why ALT?” Yes, it was convenient with my work schedule, but mostly because of my cousin, DJ. A handful of you met him when he ran the Conestoga with us. We ran Boulder Field and Bull Run together (team win!). He ran ALT with some friends a few years ago, and we were always talking about runs/races/FKTs we wanted to do, together or solo.
DJ was an awesome runner, loved an adventure, and last October, he took his own life. Trail running for me has always been part adventure, part escape, and absolutely more than just fitness. That’s only been amplified since last October; my bucket list has only grown for me, but also for him, for runs he did and those he didn’t get to. I only hope that I can keep doing this for years and years and years to come.
Sometimes running or “trail therapy” isn’t enough, and when it’s not, don’t hesitate for one second to reach out to me or a friend or a professional. There’s no shame in it.
On-line registration for the 26-27 Shiver by the River series is open and can be found at Pretzel City Sports.
As always, pre-registration is only for the series. We have day-of registration for the individual races.
Dates: 2nd Sunday: Dec 13th, Jan 10th, Feb 14th, March 14th.
Time: 10:00 am; registration opens at 8:30.
Location: Jim Dietrich Park, Muhlenberg Twp.
Come out and join us for the best winter series in the area!! If you have never run a Shiver race or it’s been a few years, this is a great reason for running through the winter, not to mention seeing runners you haven’t seen for years! If you are one of the many runners we see year after year, we look forward to seeing you again.
We are not mailing apps! However, we will accept mail-in registrations. Apps can be downloaded and printed from the PPAC website or can be picked up at any of the many races timed by Pretzel City Sports. We plan to also have copies at our monthly meetings.
This year’s swag is a long-sleeve tech shirt with a NEW design!!!!! Also new this year, THE SHIRT MUST BE PRE-ORDERED!!! There will be no extra shirts available on race day. Runners who want a shirt but do not plan to pre-register for the series must still pre-order either online or by mailing a registration form. Pre-ordered shirts will be available for pickup at any of the races. The deadline to order a shirt is Nov 13th.
Each race includes a post-race buffet of soup, pretzels, and snacks. The end-of-year party includes a hot and cold buffet plus lots and lots of door prizes, overall awards, and 5-year age group awards. As always, this buffet is free to any runner who registers for the series or runs at least 3 races. There is a nominal charge for all others.
