December 2021 – Pagoda Pacers News

Letter from Our NEW President (January 2022)

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

by Michelle Henry

Here it is, my inaugural letter as president. I hate to disappoint you this early on, but I do not have a captivating way of words like Steve Maguire, nor do I have the gift of storytelling like Matt Brophy. What I do have are big shoes to fill. While it’s true, I do have small feet, it is also true that I am determined to fill those shoes to the best of my ability.

As I sat at my desk not knowing what the heck to write in this thing, I decided to do what will surely be a recurring theme to some extent. I referred to those who paved the way before me for support, by way of tapping into the Pacer newsletter archives. What started out as me reviewing past letters from the presidents quickly spiraled into me going down a rabbit hole of entertaining stories about some stellar runners. I had completely forgotten that we used to have runner profiles in the newsletter! From their running background and accomplishments, to a peek into their personal lives and what motivates them, with fun stories and memories sprinkled in, I couldn’t stop reading. I found each of them even more enjoyable now that I’ve gotten to know everyone better. If you’re new to the club or perhaps just want to get to know more about some of your fellow Pacer members, I highly suggest going back and reading through them. You may find some things that surprise you! We’re certainly not a boring bunch.

Now down to business…

I’d like to send out a big “thank you” to Steve Maguire for doing such an outstanding job at being the “face” of this club and keeping us in line over the last few years.

Over the course of my time as president, my goal is to expand upon the groundwork that has been laid before me, while implementing new ideas to keep the club fresh, relevant, and growing. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute and add my own stamp to the future of the club.

I’d like to thank those who are stepping away from their roles as officers and board members so that others can step up and contribute to the club in a leadership capacity. I am excited and confident that we have the right mix of new and veteran leadership to accomplish great things. To learn more about those changes, you’ll have to keep reading.

2022 Pagoda Pacers Leadership Team

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

OFFICERS

President: Michelle Henry*

Vice President: Lisa Domeshek*

Treasurer: Shaun Luther

Secretary: Ellie Alderfer

Membership Coordinator: Jason Karpinski*

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ellie Alderfer

Karen Rule

Beth Kohl

Steve Vida*

Matt Brophy

Jon Durand

Sue Jackson

Tom Chobot

Brandon Beane

*New to role as of 2022

Interested in getting involved? Contact Michelle Henry at president@pagodapacers.com.

New Venue for the Monthly Meeting

December 31, 2021January 11, 2022 by pagodapacers

Monthly Membership Meeting

All members are welcomed to attend.

1/13/2022 **NEW VENUE ALERT**

Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters

100 E Summit St. Mohnton, PA 19540

Parking lot access is at the end of E Summit St.

Enter the front door and head upstairs.

Food will be served at 6:30 p.m.

Meeting will start at 7:00 p.m.

Members are responsible for purchasing their own beverages. Please bring cash.

–Michelle Henry, President

2nd Shiver of the Season a Week Away

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

We need RUNNERS!!!! We need VOLUNTEERS!!!!!

The 2nd Shiver by the River 5K/10K is Sunday January 9th, at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and both races start at 10:00 a.m.

If you have never run this race or maybe you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us, and maybe reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages!

Because of the continuance of COVID, we will have some slight changes. We are asking runners to get their bibs and then make their way outside. But before you leave, check out the swag we have for sale – previous years’ t-shirts, etc.!!!! If it gets too crowded, we may limit the number of people in the farmhouse.

We will have soup; but instead of bagels, we will have individually wrapped pretzels. Instead of the tables of snacks, each runner will receive a bag of snacks at registration (as we did last year). Depending on the weather, we may ask runners to not gather inside, but instead grab some food and head outside to the pavilion (at the end of the parking lot) or the porch.

Per CDC guidelines, we ask that anyone who is not vaccinated to wear a mask inside the
farmhouse.

If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race, for parking and registration; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Race Results (December 2021)

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

Email race results to Race Results Coordinator Karen Rule at raceresults@pagodapacers.com.

Dirty Bird 30k trail run
12	Kelly Ammon	2:51:46	2nd F30-39
19	Karin Tursack	2:59:43	2nd F40-49
20	Dale Wiest	3:00:35	1st M60+
43	Fred Foose	4:05:16

Shiver by the River 10K
4	Mihai Sanchez	37:25
6	Justin Kratz	42:21
17	Raine Fussner	44:50
18	Matt Brophy	45:26
19	Jeff Fussner	45:39
20	Curt Minich	45:42
37	Jenn Guigley	53:07
43	Blair Hogg	55:06
45	Fred Foose	56:57
48	Ellie Alderfer	58:35
49	Tania Salaneck	58:52
51	Kristen Rothenberger	59:29
61	Julia Hager	64:47

Devil Dog 100 Miler
8	Lou Donofrio	24:21:11

Humbug Bustle 5K
2	Mihai Sanchez	18:07	1st M20-29
5	Lou Donofrio	18:55	1st M40-49
12	Dale Wiest	22:15	1st M60-67
82	Joanne Patti	31:46	3rd F60-67
83	Barbara Raifsnider	32:38
138	Helene Horn	53:37

Kris Kringle 5miler
9	Mihai Sanchez	30:44	1st M20-24
22	Dee Koutsourais	32:56	1st F35-39
29	Justin Kratz	33:54
69	Jeremy Rapp	37:11
71	Steve Skrocki	37:16
85	Karin Tursack	38:11	2nd F45-49
104	Greg Kellenberger	39:59
114	Donny Mengel	40:46	1st M 65-69
155	Jon Durand	43:04
187	Janine Beidler	44:29
194	Jenn Guigley	44:41
195	Todd Phillips	44:42
210	Steven Holgate	45:20
267	Sandie Kincaid	49:00
285	Yvonne Good	50:16
286	Eric Weaver	50:17
305	Aaron Kreider	51:38
370	Joanne Patti	56:43
395	Barbara Raifsnider	58:31

‘Twas Time for Kris Kringle

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

by Polly Corvaia

‘Twas time for the Kris Kringle,
And so it begun.
An in-person race--
Let's see who will run.

Applications were mailed
And planning took place.
We kept moving forward
And hoped we could race.

Registrations came in,
But the numbers were low.
Seemed everyone was waiting
To be sure the race would go.

Back to a 5-Miler,
The regular course was planned.
But the next pandemic might stop us,
And the race would be canned.

But good luck was with us, 
And all came together.
500 runners showed up,
And so did good weather.

Kringle’s comeback was successful!
Our volunteers are THE BEST!
Some details yet to complete, 
Next month we’ll share the rest.

Fleet Feet’s Teddy Bear Trot

December 31, 2021January 1, 2022 by pagodapacers

Join Fleet Feet West Reading for their 4th annual Teddy Bear Trot on Saturday, February 12th!

Fleet Feet is looking forward to giving back to the community through their partners at Opportunity House in Reading. They ask that everyone bring a brand NEW Teddy Bear to the event. Runners will take the teddy bears from Squawk and B2 Bistro to Opportunity House where they will be donated to children utilizing the Children’s Alliance Center. After making your donation, you will continue on route to finish your 4 mile fun run. Feel free to stick around for some breakfast at Squawk.

The $10.00 charge for this event will be entirely donated to Opportunity House as they continue to serve our homeless community. Additional monetary donations will be accepted at the event and will be given to Opportunity House to support their endeavors.

Everyone will have a chance to wear/test Karhu shoes, an exclusive Fleet Feet product. Karhu is Finnish for the word “Bear”, making their brand a perfect partner for this event! Fleet Feet will donate the sales from the first 10 Karhu shoes sold between February 11-13.

For more information and to register for this event, please go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Info/PA/WestReading/TeddyBearTrot2021#directions

$1,200 for the Oley Ambulance Association

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

Race directors Len Burton and Barry Goodhart met with Kevin Bieber, Director of the Oley Valley Fairgrounds, and the representatives from the Oley Ambulance Association and gave them a $1,200 donation from the Oley Valley Apple Country Classic proceeds.

Race Report: Devil Dog 100-miler

December 31, 2021 by pagodapacers

by Lou Donofrio

On December 4th, I raced the Devil Dog 100-miler in Prince William Forest Park, Virginia, having also finished 4th in the race in 2019.

This year was warm during the day, and I was comfortable running in shorts and a t-shirt. However, racing a trail 100-miler in December meant that most of the race would be in the dark. Once the sun went behind the hills, I added layers, and ran with a head lamp and a waist light. The added lumens were key to navigating the rooty, leaf-covered single-track trails in the dark.