Month: January 2021

Wednesday Night Runs: February 2021 Locations

by pagodapacers

By the time we run our first Wednesday in February, we should know if spring is just around the corner, or if we’ll have to slog through six more weeks of winter!

To keep these runs safe, it’s very important that we practice appropriate protocol. In addition to bringing a headlamp and wearing reflective gear, remember to wear a mask for the pre-run sign-in and to maintain 6 feet of separation from other runners.

Reminder: We need everyone to sign in (and sign a waiver) before EACH Wednesday Night Run. This is necessary for our insurance and for contact tracing (if necessary). Make sure you familiarize yourself with the GROUP RUN GUIDELINES AND WAIVER before attending.

–February 3: Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields, Old Wyomissing Rd, Wyomissing

–February 10: Oley Valley High School, 17 Jefferson St, Oley

–February 17: Cumru Elementary School, 601 Philadelphia Ave, Reading

–February 24: Alvernia University, Lot by Greenway Terrace and Adams St., Reading

Shiver by the River: February, 2021

by pagodapacers

We are planning to have a REAL, LIVE race on Feb 14th!!!!!!  That will be followed by 2 more races on March 14 and April 11!!!! Yes, something new – a Shiver race in April! Thank you to all the runners for their patience and flexibility as race plans were constantly changing.  Registration for all of the Shiver races is online only, via Pretzel City Sports. We continue to limit our races to 200 runners.  

The January race was virtual and many runners chose to run the actual course after picking up their swag at the Jim Dietrich pavilion. Virtual race results are posted on our website.

When we cancelled the December race, we sent an email to all runners, asking them to let us know how to handle their registration (switching to another Shiver race or a refund). In January, another email was sent to all outstanding December runners, notifying them of a deadline of January 31st, after which we will not refund race fees from December.  

Once again, we will be looking towards club members to volunteer. We don’t need as many volunteers prior to race, since there is no race day registration; and we don’t need anyone after the race, as there is no food. However, we do need volunteers to park cars; direct runners at the various intersections; help in the chute; man the water stop in the park; and to furnish water and Gatorade after the race. The water/Gatorade table at the end will have 1 or 2 volunteers, wearing gloves, filling the cups and placing them on the table for the runners to take.  This will prevent dozens of runners, from touching the containers. To help in planning, it is appreciated if you can let us know in advance of your availability by directly contacting Sue, Georgine, or Tiffany, or by emailing shiverdirector@pagodapacers.com. However, if you can’t commit until race day, that is fine; just find one of the race directors at the swag pickup area.  For those on the road, we can give you an intersection, so it is your choice if you want to come to the park or go directly to your intersection. Swag pickup opens at 8:30, so we ask that those parking cars or helping with swag pickup arrive around 8:00-8:15. The race starts at 10:00, so we ask those helping during the race to arrive around 9:30, or if going directly to your intersection, please be there by 10:00.  Swag pickup will be at the pavilion, near the farmhouse, weather permitting; otherwise, it will be in the farmhouse.  We ask everyone to wear a mask. Gloves will be provided.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the Shiver, whether as a runner, volunteer, or both.  We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the ever-changing restrictions and regulations!!  Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments.

Stay safe everyone!!!!

Sue, Georgine, and Tiffany

Minutes from the General Meeting (January 2021)

by pagodapacers

General Meeting Minutes

Date: January 14, 2021

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Virtual Zoom meeting

Treasury Report – Shaun Luther—we are at 115% of target. Regarding setting our target (i.e., 3 years’ worth of operating expenses on hand at all times) for 2021, per the bylaws, we are supposed to set our target based on non-race related expenses. The treasurer should determine this based on previous year’s operating expenses. But because of the inactivity and low operating costs of 2020, the target for this year would be very low. Therefore, Shaun suggests that the club use the 2019 target amount. This was agreed to, and the target for 2021 will remain the same as the target in 2019. 

Shaun reported that RRCA gave a refund to the club for insurance costs. The music licensing cost increased. This will be made known to the race directors that use music for their races. 

Races:

  • Charlie Horse Half Marathon—Shaun Luther—Scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2021; 10 people have registered so far. Shaun is considering a few ways to hold the event: A) continue with the way we’ve always done it, start at Rustic Park with buses transporting from Sleepy Hollow; B) start in Brecknock Township and run some distance around there; or C) start/finish in Rustic Park. For this year, though: No Dirty Pony 5K and no music or anything afterwards. Shaun plans to run the race, unless restrictions prevent it.
  • Run for the Ages 10K Trail Run—Donna Hey—no word on this, as the park is still closed.
  • Grings Mill 5K and 10K—no report
  • Blues Cruise 50K—Dan Govern—Sunday, Oct 3, 2021, Dan is getting some inquiries, but still not sure how to handle it. He is going to start making some inquiries about permits, etc. Registration has been opened through UltraSignUp.
  • Oley Valley Country Classic—Lenny Burton—no report.
  • Kris Kringle 5 Miler—Polly Corvaia—the transition to virtual went well. She had a few people call with suggestions that were helpful. Hoodies and swag were picked up and about 50 were mailed to out of towners. About 70% of the entrants posted a time. Income for the race exceeded expenses, due to the not having to pay some of the operational costs. Polly proposes that a donation of $1000 (suggested) be given to each of three groups: the cross country coaches (as per the usual donation), the ‘I AM Able’ charitable organization, and, possibly, the Schuylkill River Greenways National Heritage Area, of which the Schuylkill River Trail is a part.
  • Shiver by the River 5K and 10K—Sue Jackson—December’s race was canceled. The January race was virtual. An additional race date on April 11th has been added. Sue has spent a lot of time tracking the participant adjustments. Some runners from December have switched to April, and some have switched to other races. They are counting on an in-person race in February. Everyone has been good about everything. For the January event, the course was marked, in case anyone wanted to run it on the scheduled Sunday. Some people did chose to run the course on their own, while Sue, Georgine, and Tiffany handed out the swag at the pavilion. Thanks to Donna Hey for the potato chip deliveries. And a shout out to Sue’s dog, Molly, who did not take advantage of the situation and eat the snacks for the swag bags. On February 14, the next race is scheduled to be in-person. The start of the 5k is at 10:00 a.m., followed by the 10K at 10:10. Mike Whalen will assist with the trailer.
  • Jr. High Cross Country Fall Invitational—Tom Chobot—winter track right now is week to week, due to COVID cases. In the fall, it will depend on what the schools are doing. He has the date reserved, but won’t know until around Labor Day what a glimpse of the situation will be.

Committee Reports

Social Committee: The GoggleWorks is renting their theatre for limited entry movie showings—if we want to try a social event there and spread out. March/April—Polly will look into this.

Communications Committee—Jon Durand—considering doing a feature once a week of the trails in Berks County, and even may make it a ‘where am I’ spot, so that he can have the benefit of getting out, and also get some club virtual participation.

  • Newsletter—Matt Brophy is going to ask Fleet Feet and/or Chester County Running to see if they want to contribute some content into the newsletter.

Membership committee: A few new members have joined. Reminder: all members of good standing as of last year had their 2021 dues credited. The next dues collection is planned for December 2021. There is a membership list on the Web site under the ‘membership’ tab.

Old business: None

New business

  • The donations, as noted above, from the proceeds of the Kris Kringle race, will be voted on next month.
  • Donna Hey—She attends the Friends of Nolde meetings, and that group has asked the Pacers to consider paying for some trail marking discs in the Forest to replace the older markers, and to replace some of the corner posts. The cost is $530 for posts. The markers are 4-inch round, color-coded discs, to be put in place of the current hash marks, and can be placed on trees, for a cost of $850. They are requesting a total of $1400 donation. Does the club want to make a contribution towards this trail-improvement project? Steve McGuire suggests the club cover the $1400 to make these improvements. Can we get a sign or ‘giant check’ donation photo to acknowledge our contribution? We will make a motion to donate next month. (FYI—Nolde is now fining people for any dogs off leash–$250, and fining for being in the park after dark.)

Teddy Bear Trot: 4 Mile Fun Run

by pagodapacers

Saturday, February 13th
Fleet Feet West Reading x Opportunity House
The run will begin at 8:30 a.m. from the West Reading Playground Pavilion

On Saturday, February 13th, several runners from across Berks County will jog across the Buttonwood Street bridge with teddy bears in hand.  Fleet Feet will be partnering with Opportunity House for their 3rd annual Teddy Bear Trot.  The Teddy Bear Trot will be sponsored by one of Fleet Feet’s footwear brands, Karhu (Finnish for the word, Bear).  We ask that each runner bring a brand NEW teddy bear to the run that will be donated to Opportunity House.  Join us at 8:30 a.m. as we begin our charitable 4 mile fun run through the streets of West Reading!

The Teddy Bear Trot

To kick-off the day, runners will congregate at the West Reading Playground Pavilion. Led by Zach Barker (Manager of Fleet Feet West Reading) and Kate Alley (Chief Development Officer at Opportunity House), The Teddy Bear Trot will wind through West Reading and across the Buttonwood Street Bridge.  Runners will arrive at Opportunity House on North 2nd Street in Reading.  Opportunity House provides assistance and programs to several people throughout Reading, including children that utilize the homeless shelter and learning center.  Once all runners arrive at the shelter, the teddy bears will be donated to children utilizing a program at Opportunity House called the Children’s Alliance Center.  The run will continue past RAAC, across the Schuylkill River and back through the streets of Wyomissing to the West Reading Playground Pavilion. 

Karhu

Karhu is a footwear brand that is exclusive to Fleet Feet.  Karhu teamed up with Fleet Feet to design a first-of-its-kind running shoe from the concrete up.  The legendary Finnish running brand compiled 100,000 three-dimensional foot scans from Fleet Feet’s fit id system to build the Ikoni and Fusion.  The result is a dynamic trainer optimized for every runner.

Participants in The Teddy Bear Trot will be able to wear-test the Karhu Ikoni and the Karhu Fusion for the 4 mile fun run.

Registration

The Teddy Bear Trot will be an excellent way to show love to the people of Reading.  Join us on February 13, ready to run with a NEW teddy bear in hand!  Sign up for this year’s event via our run signup link.  Runners are required to sign an event/Covid protocol waiver and will be split into groups of 20 to embark on the run.  This measures are being taken to keep everyone safe as we continue through the global pandemic. 

https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/WestReading/TeddyBearTrot2021