January 2024 – Pagoda Pacers News

Become Legendary via the “Triple Trail Challenge”

January 31, 2024February 3, 2024 by pagodapacers

Neil Armstrong. Jackie Robinson. Sandra Day O’Connor. Barack Obama. Kathrine Switzer. What do these people have in common? They were the first of their kind and now they’re legends. What if I said you could be a legend, too?

This year we’re excited to announce the inaugural Pagoda Pacer Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. To complete this challenge and gain celebrity and fame forever, one must complete the three following Pagoda Pacer trail races:

Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon* (May 26, 2024): The majority of this half marathon takes place on the Horse-Shoe Trail and benefits the Berks County Special Olympics. The later portion of the course always offers a *unique* little twist (iykyk), and it will definitely leave you with some good stories to tell.

Run For The Ages 10K (June 30, 2024): Let’s just say, this is NOT your average 10K. Its age-graded start times allow for a level of competition that you can’t really get anywhere else. If you’re an older runner, it’s your chance to show up those young whippersnappers. If you’re a younger runner, show everyone what it’s like to throw down some speed and not hobble to the car afterwards.

Blue Cruise 50K* (October 6, 2024): Fantastic 50K for first-time ultra runners and seasoned runners alike. The course offers a beautiful, very runnable loop around Blue Marsh Lake and some of the best aid station volunteers (and food!) around.

After completing the challenge will the masses build a shrine in your honor? No.

Induct you into the trail-running Hall of Fame? Nope.

Will it make your non-running coworkers care about your running stories? Also, probably not.

But will you get a sweet bit of extra special runner swag, bragging rights, and the chance to say you liked it before it was cool? Yes, absolutely!

Registration for Charlie Horse and Blues Cruise is already open on Ultrasignup. Run for the Ages registration will be opening soon on Runsignup. Check out the Pagoda Pacers’ website, Facebook page, and any of the race pages for more details.

*Please note: in order to successfully complete the challenge, runners must finish the longer distance at Charlie Horse (not the Dirty Pony 5K) and the full Blue Cruise 50K (not the relay/team option).

Penultimate Shiver on 2/11/24

January 31, 2024 by pagodapacers

Shiver #3 is February 11^th. If you have never run this race, or if you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us! Reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages! The race is at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and both races start at 10:00 a.m.

The January 5k had 163 finishers, while 74 runners completed the 10K. 1^st male and female finishers in the 5k were Aiden Konetsky (17:10) and Ty Diaz-Cruz (20:26); with Andrew Brown (37:01) and Mikaela Smith (43:24) finishing as top male/female runners in the 10K. As always, we thank the volunteers and the runners who came out to support us!!!

Because the rental agreement for the farmhouse requires us to leave the building by noon, we ask that runners who complete their first loop in over 40 minutes NOT go out for the 2^nd loop.

Looking ahead, our 4^th and final race in the series will be held on March 10^th. The awards banquet will be at the Temple Fire Company immediately following the race. It is free to all runners who completed 3 or more races, and free for volunteers. (There is a minimal charge for everyone else.) We are always looking for door-prizes to be given at the awards ceremony. If you own a business, or know someone who owns a business, or you would like to donate something yourself, we would be very grateful for merchandise, gift certificates, gift baskets, or any small item that a runner would appreciate. Door prizes can be brought to either of the next 2 races or the February Pacer meeting. We plan to send thank you notes to all of our donors, so if you donate or secure an item for us, we would appreciate knowing exactly what was donated and contact information for the donor.

We hope to see more Pacers at the remaining Shiver races. 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 Georgine in the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Check Out “Race Mates” on March 16 at the IMABLE Bash!

January 31, 2024 by pagodapacers

pagoda pacers race mates program

On March 16, 2024, we will be representing the Pagoda Pacers and demonstrating the chariots at the IMABLE BASH !

Participants must pre-register and place “Pagoda Pacers” in the “corporate table” box on the registration page.

Although this is a free event, we do suggest a donation to cover the cost of food, drinks, and entertainment. This is a great time for new Race Mates to learn how our program works.

click here to register

Below is an overview of the program:

Adaptive Athletes
Race Mates has four chariots (adaptive pushing joggers) available for adaptive athletes who would enjoy the experience and excitement of participating in a 5k race, but due to physical limitations, cannot run the distance.

Guides push the chariots throughout the race, and if able, let the adaptive athletes run the last portion of the race to cross the finish line. The run lasts about 30 minutes.
Guides
If you are interested in being a guide for Race Mates, we are looking for runners (or cheerleaders) who would enjoy interacting with our adaptive athletes during spring and summer road races, while pushing the chariots (adaptive pushing joggers) at a 9 1/2 to 10 minute pace.

If interested in participating as an adaptive athlete or guide, please feel free to contact the Race Mates program at: racematesrunning@gmail.com.

Minutes from General Membership Meeting (January, 2024)

January 31, 2024 by pagodapacers

General Meeting Minutes

Date: January 11, 2024

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Mohnton Fire Company

Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – 151% of target, which is a positive for the first time in a few years. Income is up from the races with most of the Shiver by the River income included.

Races:

Blues Cruise 50K (completed for 2023) – Mike Whalen –
- 2024 race is scheduled for Sunday, October 6
- Final race of the series
- Four-people legs
- 1st leg is sprinter
- 2nd is voyager
- 3rd is mountaineer
- 4th is closer
- 5k or 10k per person
- Can be a two person team
- New course record labeled as a relay record separate from the solo/individual record
- Mixed team must have at least two females

Oley Valley Country Classic (completed for 2023) – Barry Goodhart –
- 217 runners participated between the two races, still below average prior to covid (5K and 10-miler).
- A decent profit was made, however, Barry says we still need to build up participation.
- $2,000 to be donated to the Oley Ambulance Fund

Kris Kringle 5-Miler (Sunday, December 31, 2023) –
- Lisa was very pleased
- Made $12K
- 25% improvement from 2022
- 633 registered
- 542 finishes
- Michelle and Lisa did pre-order swag and saved $1,500
- RunSignUp was a huge success, saved a lot of money
- No paper checks
- Email marketing could be through RunSignUp which is included in the cost

Shiver by the River 5K and 10K (first race is Sunday, December 10, 2023) – Sue Jackson –
- Always need volunteers out on the course
- There will be a sweeper assisting with volunteer relief notification.
- The course will be run backwards this year.
- As always, Sue prefers anyone to run over volunteering, if that becomes a conflict.

Pacer Passport

17 completed in 2022
26 completed in 2023 (16 duplicates from 2022)
To be continued in 2024
Must participate in 4 group runs or bike runs, 3 monthly meetings, 2 volunteer, 1 register for one pacer run
Purpose to give something fun to improve Pacer involvement
Gets more people involved
Go to whoever is in charge of the event
Swag is a transition towel with the Pacer logo for 2023 finishers

Community Service

Opportunity House went well this past Monday, January 8.
Meatball sandwiches were a success.
Thank you to all the volunteers.
Fleet Feet Teddy Bear Trot on Saturday, February 10 starting at Sly Fox

Membership committee: Jason Karpinski –

Volunteer swag will be purchased.
Volunteers getting race swag is to the discretion of the race director.
One-and-done for 2024.

Scholarship Apps Due by End of Month!

January 31, 2024 by pagodapacers

The deadline to apply for a 2024 Pagoda Pacers Scholarship is fast approaching. If you or someone you know is applying, make sure the application is submitted by FEBRUARY 28, 2024!

Each year the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club awards up to four (4) outstanding high school seniors for their continuing education, in the following two categories:

Berks County Cross Country Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors who participated on a Berks County high school cross country team during at least their senior year.

Members-Only Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors whose parent/guardian has been a member in good standing of Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club for at least one year prior to the application deadline.

The amount of each scholarship has been increased to $1,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. Students for each scholarship are recognized for their participation and achievements in athletics, academics, and community service. For full scholarship program guidelines, application forms, and instructions, please visit the Pagoda Pacers website at https://www.pagodapacers.com/Scholarships/About.aspx. The deadline to apply (either via email or mailed postmark date) is February 28, 2024.

Teddy Bears and Healthy Kids

January 31, 2024February 1, 2024 by pagodapacers

Fleet Feet West Reading would like to invite you to check out these fun, community-oriented events coming up soon!

Teddy Bear Trot: 2/10/24

Join us for our 6th annual Teddy Bear Trot on Saturday, February 10th!

The Teddy Bear Trot is the perfect blend of running and giving back to our community. All participants are asked to bring a brand NEW Teddy Bear to the event. Participants then join us as we run the bears to the Opportunity House in Reading for them to use in their Learning Center. After making our donations, we will continue on route to finish our 4 mile fun run. We will start and finish our run at Sly Fox event venue Eight-Twenty at the Mills which is behind the Sly Fox Wyomissing Taphouse. This is not a race but rather a social group run to give back to our community. Walkers are welcome and there will be a shorter route that is just over 2 miles for anyone who doesn’t wish to complete the 4 mile loop.

The the proceeds for this event will be 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. We will also be collecting non-perishable foods and blankets at the start of the run at Sly Fox to donate as well.

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!

Runners will be sent to Opportunity House to make our donations in 3 groups. Groups will depart at 10:00, 10:10 and 10:15 to donate the teddy bears. Please take a look at the pace ranges for each group and sign up for the time that best suits your abilities. Our goal is to get to the Opportunity House at the same time to give them the bears and for a group photo. We will then leave the Opportunity and continue on our 4 mile loop. Those who wish can backtrack back to Sly Fox making you run/walk a little over 2 miles total. There will be group leaders to help direct the runners/walkers.

10:00am – Walkers and 13+ minute milers

10:10am – 10-12 minute milers

10:15am – 8-10 minute milers

Healthy Kids Running Series

If you have a kid (2 years or older–up to 8th grade), consider signing them up to participate in the Healthy Kids Running Series, coordinated by Fleet Feet West Reading’s Jason Corby!

If you don’t have kids (or if your kids aren’t the right age or just aren’t into it), consider helping out as a volunteer!

Dates for the 4 p.m. runs in this series are as follows:

April 14

April 21

April 28

May 5

May 12

More information can be found at https://healthykidsrunningseries.org/race-locations/reading-pa/

Wednesday Night Runs (February ’24 locations)

January 31, 2024 by pagodapacers

Our mid-week group runs have at least two different distance options (3-4 miles and 5-6 miles) with an appointed leader for each route. 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!)

Remember to wear reflective gear and bring a headlamp or flashlight!

February 7: Wilson Southern Middle School — Post-run to follow at Paolo’s

February 14: Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields — Post-run to follow at Schaylor’s

February 21: Antietam Pool — Post-run to follow at Maverick Pub

February 28: Cumru Elementary School — Post-run to follow at Oakbrook

All runs start at 6:15 p.m

*This is the end of the February ’24 Newsletter.*

New Year, New President

January 2, 2024 by pagodapacers

Happy New Year!

Many of us are formulating fitness goals for 2024. Maybe it’s a target race at a milestone distance. Maybe you want to consistently run at least once a week. Whatever you’re reaching for, I hope the club and its members will be a part of the support network that helps you succeed.

Each month, I will use a little space in the newsletter to preview topics for the next club meeting. This can give you some warning if you want to attend the meeting and participate in any discussion. If you can’t attend, you can still contact me if you have an opinion or information that could be helpful.

The next meeting will take place at the Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters on Thursday, January 11. Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Please RSVP via the Facebook event or email (president@pagodapacers.com)

At the January meeting, we will review our list of committees. The start of a new year is probably a good time to confirm existing committee members and invite new participation. Let me know if you can’t attend the meeting, but want to get involved. It’s important that we spread these responsibilities around.

I am still looking for a PPAC Secretary for 2023. This needs to be someone who can attend at least most of the monthly meetings. You take some notes, especially regarding any motions, votes, or decisions. Then send the notes to the newsletter editor. Not very time-intensive, but an important function. Again – contact me if you can help.

Steve Vida
president@pagodapacers.com

Next Shiver on 1/14/24

January 2, 2024 by pagodapacers

The first Shiver of the ’23-’24 series is in the books! Fortunately, temps were in the 40s, so when the sky opened, just as the race was starting, it was rain instead of snow. As always, we thank the volunteers and the runners who came out to support us!!! The volunteers and runners are who make this race a success!!! 125 runners completed the 5K, with 64 completing the 10K. Results are posted on both our website and the Pretzel City Sports website. 1^st male and female in the 5k were Aiden Konetsky (17:12) and Lissa Kutz (21:23). In the 10k, our 1^st male and female finishers were Jonathan Thrush (33:42) and Jen Esposito (42:38).

Now we are ready to move onto race #2 on Sunday, Jan 14^th. We need RUNNERS!!!! We need VOLUNTEERS!!!!!

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! The race is at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30; both races start at 10:00. This year we are running in the opposite direction, and we received very positive feedback about the change. Come and check it out!

Another change this year is that we have re-opened online registration on Pretzel City Sports, so you can still preregister for the series, and not have to stand in line on race day. This also guarantees you the ’23-’24 swag.

Please remember to only complete the registration form ONCE during the series. As we have done in the past, we will have 3 separate areas for registration. I know you have all heard this before, but trust me, we will still have runners (including Pacers) who will complete a form for each race. We calculate the series results by bib# so each runner will have the same bib# each month. Obviously if a runner completes more than 1 application, he/she will have more than 1 bib#.

Pre-Registration is in the front room, for those runners who have paid for the entire series.
For those runners who are paying for each race, individually, and who ran in December, registration is in the 2^nd room, at the table marked “Post Registration Single Race Entry.” We have a number with a label with your name. No need to complete a new registration form. If you do, there is the potential of being recognized as a different runner when it comes time to calculate the series results. If any information needs to be changed, just let them know when you get your number; no need to complete a registration form with the changed information.
For those runners who have not registered for the 2023-2024 Shiver, registration is in the 2^nd room at the table marked “Post Registration.” When completing the registration form, if you have paid for the series, please circle YES; otherwise, we will expect you to pay again at the remaining races.

A few other notes:

On the registration form, we ask for your email address, so that you will be included in any future emails we send regarding the remaining races for this series and for future series. We ask for your mailing address so that applications for future races can be mailed to you. It is certainly your choice as to whether you provide us with either or both of these, but it does help with keeping our runners in the loop.
Because of the rental agreement we have for the farmhouse, requiring us to leave the farmhouse by noon, we ask that runners who complete their first loop in over 40 minutes NOT go out for the 2^nd loop.

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 clean-up. 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