Starting in July, we are going to have post-run hosting taking place!
If you’re able to stick around after the run, please bring your favorite food, beverage, or dessert. If you can, bring an extra lawn chair so that we’ll all be able to kick back and relax!
Also, we will be restarting our bi-monthly charity runs this month, in order to benefit local organizations.
July 14: We will run from the Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields. Post-run gathering at Paolo’s Restaurant and Bar.Bring a new runner out!!!!! ***Charity run benefitting local animal shelters (bring dry/wet food, litter, treats, blankets, etc)
July 21: We will run from SOUTHERN END of Rustic Park (2000 Hay Creek Rd, Birdsboro). NOTE: THIS IS THE OPPOSITE END of Rustic. WE NEVER RAN FROM THIS END BEFORE! Listed as “Old 82 & Parking Area” on Google Maps. Post-run gathering hosted by Kim Drake (454 Alleghenyville Rd, Mohnton)
July 28: We will run from Larry and Missy Drogo’s residence (1450 Schoffers Rd, Birdsboro), with the post-run gathering to follow at the same location
This event aims to bring the community together through fitness and fun. Color stations will be at every 1k marker. There will also be music throughout the race course and festivities post-race.
Coming October 9th–just one week after Blues Cruise–the Pagoda Pacers will be hosting the 27th annual Oley Valley Apple Country Classic!
This year the 10 mile and 5k event will be celebrated at the Oley Fairgrounds and proceeds will benefit the Oley Ambulance Association. We are excited about indoor registration, a great new course, and a post-race apple festival for the entire community!
The excitement is brewing and we look forward to our new fall country classic.
A HUGE thank you to Nolde Forest for hosting, and to EVERYONE who came out to volunteer and/or participate in the race this year! I do not believe there is any way that I can truly express my gratitude at the way our running community comes together to pull off events like this so smoothly.
Run For the Ages has a rolling start that begins with the 75+ women at 8:30 am and ends 20 groups later at 9:05 with 2 age groups of 20-year-old men. This group is called the ‘ringers’. This year our runners ranged in age from 15 to 82.
In order to win this race, later-starting participants need to chase down and pass all the earlier-starting competitors. Early starters need to hold onto their lead time. This year’s race had 3 ringers (we need to work on building that group) and 117 finishers. The 3 ringers placed 12th, 14th, and 23rd overall, not quite overtaking all of the competition, but giving it a great shot! Dylan Servis won the coveted “Nolde Pottery Turtle” by placing 12th overall and having the fastest course time of 43:18.
It’s always fun to be at the finish to see who held their lead and who outran the most people. The results never cease to impress. The top ten finishers of this race were:
Bonnie Stoeckl – start time 8:40
Fernando Moura – Start time 8:43
Don Morrison – Start time 8:43
Raine Fussner – Start time 8:48
Gert Freas – Start time 8:44
Jim Blandford – Start time 8:58
Steve Dvorchak – Start time 9:00
Cole Casadei – Start time 9:00
Brian Stoltzfus – Start time 8:55
Karin Tursack – Start time 8:53
The Pacers and Nolde friends would like to again thank Ted Andrus, the founder of Run For the Ages, for his generous donation of 2 Southwest airline round trip passes. This year’s winner was Megan Robinson.
Thanks again to everyone for creating a great race experience and raising funds to support the Friends of Nolde Forest.
Looking forward to next year. Mark your calendars now: Sunday, June 26, 2022.
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther—we are 130% of target. Charlie Horse income is in, but not all expenses. Other races are reporting income, but not expenses yet. Berks County Coaches are owed money.
Races:
Charlie Horse Half Marathon (completed for 2021)—Shaun Luther—113 finishers about half what it usually is, but the weather was horrible. Perhaps will make about $2000 income, not including the direct donations to Special Olympics. One lesson from this year: at the start, a reminder of the cut off time will given to the runners, so they will know to keep track (but it was in the race description this year). Polly did the results timing using RunSignUp, and she did a good job, saving some timing fees. And thanks to Charlie and his family for their generosity in making this year’s event successful, given all the challenges.
Run for the Ages 10K Trail Run (Sunday, June 27)—Volunteers are needed. Ted Andrus has donated two Southwest airline tickets, so this prize will be available again this year. Same-day tickets will be available for $10 each. Must be present to win. No frills race this year. About 80+ registrants so far, still no day-of registration. Updates are sent out via Constant Contact and Pretzel City Sports (PCS). Currently Nolde requires that anyone not vaccinated to wear a mask.
Grings Mill 5K and 10K & ½ mile kids run (Sunday, August 1, 2021)—Jane Setley—all on-line registration via PCS. Reducing the awards, but otherwise the same course that starts from the Berks Heritage Center.
Blues Cruise 50K (Sunday, October 3)—Dan Govern—close to 200 are registered, guaranteed to sell out at the 450 cut off. Swag will be decreased—will be a shirt (from RUseeN), hat, and gloves. Food will include some vegan options at the aid stations. Dan will start some training runs at the end of June, to be announced, and he is asking for some leaders for the training runs. Regarding the use of previously donated funds, the Army Corps of Engineers contact is not responding to emails, but a bridge on the back side does need repair, so Dan will pursue that.
Oley Valley Country Classic (Saturday, Oct 9)—no report
Kris Kringle 5 Miler—no report
Shiver by the River 5K and 10K—Sue Jackson—has started planning. Will be pretty much the same as it has been, the second Sundays of the month.
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
Karin Long will assist with a Wine and Cheese – possibly aiming for a date in mid to late September.
Communications Committee—Jane Setley—have anything to post, just reach out. Jane can do updates on the web page now or Ed Recker can do them as well. She is looking for new pictures for the scrolling feature.
Community Service
Weekly runs—Steve McGuire—Constant Contact® emailing for new runners has been successful. Those runs will be kept closer to a central location to encourage better attendance.
Charity Committee—Scholarships were awarded and announced for this year.
Race mates—next Pacer event for this activity is the Grings Mill race. Contact Mike Whalen if interested in being a Race Mate.
Old business
Next Thursday is the Zach Miller movie in Lancaster. If anyone goes to this, please provide feedback to Steve.
The Worlds End Ultramarathon aid station sponsored by some of our Pacers came together, was well done, as usual, and received some excellent publicity.
Shaun and Dave’s Excellent Adventure was a success.
New business
Jane Setley—“Wine, Women, and Shoes,” an Opportunity House fund raiser, usually at the DoubleTree Hotel, is this year at a hangar at the Reading Airport. She needs help with parking.
Inside the trailer is a grill with four burners which was purchased for use at a race, but is now taking up needed space—Dan Govern would like to get it out the trailer. Mike Whalen said he would store it at this house. It was decided that that if no one uses it for a year, then he can keep or dispose of it.
Christmas Party? Yes, please.—December 3—voted on and seconded. Swamp will start the arrangements. Ben Galen will get in touch with his father about the donations for the raffle.
Would the Pagoda Pacers like to bring some of their “Coal Mine aid station magic” to Eastern States 100 this year?
The race is August 14th, and there is an opening at a great location.
Jeff Calvert (logistics coordinator for Eastern States) contacted the club to inform us that they need someone to lead the effort. It would give us a chance to further showcase our club among ultramarathoners at this high-profile event, while also supporting our own members competing in the race.
Aid stations in the mountains are lots of fun and the runners need us! If you want to volunteer, email info@pagodapacers.com or say so at the July General Membership Meeting (Thursday, July 8th). We will connect you with Jeff Calvert. We should let him know by July 9th.
The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club is proud to announce and congratulate its 2021 Scholarship award winners:
Ashley Benoit, a graduate of Daniel Boone Area High School and daughter of club members Ben and Darlene Benoit, who plans to attend Shenandoah University
Shane Conrad, a graduate of Hamburg Area High School, who plans to attend Pennsylvania State University
Erin Horack, a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School, who plans to attend Pennsylvania State University
Madison Moylan, a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School, who plans to attend Eastern University
The club received applications from many very strong and deserving students, and wishes all who applied the best in their future endeavors.
Pagoda Pacers News 