This Month’s Weekend “10-Miler”: Run to the Pagoda on 3/16/25!

The next Weekend “10-Miler” won’t exactly be 10 miles, but it will be a lot of fun!

We will meet at the Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields on Sunday, March 16, and run to the club’s namesake: The Reading Pagoda!

(Then we’ll run back.)

Round-trip mileage will be about a half-marathon (13+ miles), but if that’s a bit more than you want to tackle, you have the option of starting and finishing from RACC instead! (RACC to Pagoda round-trip mileage will be approximately 6.5 miles.)

Start times:

9:30 a.m. for those starting at the Wyo Quarry

10 a.m. for those starting at RACC

Lunch and drinks after–location TBD!

Hope you can join us!

Next Away Game: BUZZARD on 3/29/25

(Baby) Buzzard Run
16 miles of running bliss
Topped-off with a non-trivial water crossing

Date and Time: Saturday, March 29, at 9:30 a.m.

Starting point:
7314 Fishing Creek Valley Rd, West Hanover Township, PA 17112
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dTQkfsxpmpXhJUaf9

The route is 16 miles with 3000 feet of gain. Link to map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-92f5496-4

Post-run refueling at:
Snitz Creek Brewery
1805 Fisher Ave, Annville, PA 17003
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qGmw8CX9VTPo8pgT9

Door Prizes Needed for Shiver Banquet!

* * * DOOR PRIZES NEEDED *** 

We are in need of Door Prizes for the March 9th Shiver Banquet.

Crafters – Share your talents!!!

Do you own a business or know someone who does and is willing to offer a gift card or an item?

All items are greatly appreciated!

Bring them to the Jim Dietrich Park farmhouse on March 9th or reach out to Georgine via Facebook or Instagram or gmmccool56@comcast.net, so we can get it prior to the race.

THANK YOU in ADVANCE,

Sue, Georgine, Tiffany

Final Shiver and Banquet for ’24-’25 Series Set for Sunday, 3/9/25

Thank you to the 87 5k runners, 52 10k runners, and the many volunteers who helped us have another successful Shiver by the River on February 16th. Admittedly, it was one of our smaller races, but after postponing a week, and then the rain, we are thankful for each and every one of you who participated. To those who did race, you most likely got a low number of points to count towards end-of-year awards.  

Congratulations to the top M/F 5k runners: Alex Epler (18:03) and Ty Diaz-Cruz (21:05); and to the top 10k M/F runners: Tim Hartung (36:38) and Brittney Miller (43:22). 

Thank you to ALL the runners and volunteers who continue to support us!!!!!!

Shiver#4 will be held on March 9th.   Take note – this is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time!!!  

As always, we need more volunteers for this race. Specifically, we need 3 or 4 people willing to take results off of the board, so that the race directors can calculate results as soon as possible. We also need the usual help with parking, registration, on the road, at the finish line, cleaning up, at the water stop, and within the house serving soup. Anyone helping with registration should plan to arrive at Jim Dietrich Park between 8:15 & 8:30; anyone helping during the race should plan to arrive by 9:30.   To help us with volunteer assignments, we prefer that volunteers contact us prior to race day. If you have not already talked to one of us, please reach out to Georgine via Facebook or Instagram or gmmccool56@comcast.net.   

However, for as much as we need volunteers, we would really like to see more Pacers RUN THE RACE!!!!   

The awards ceremony will be held immediately after the race, at the Temple Fire Company, 4963 Kutztown Rd, which is about 3 miles from Jim Dietrich Park. This is the same location as the last couple of years.

We are looking for more door prizes. If anyone can donate personally, or secure a door prize, please bring it to the race. Donations can be given directly to any of the race directors or dropped off at the front table where we are selling old swag, etc. It would be appreciated if you could let us know in advance if you will be able to donate. 

To be eligible to win a door prize, simply complete the survey at the awards banquet.  A cold buffet, including a hot vegetarian item, will be served starting around 11:00, followed by door prizes and then the awards. Due to the costs associated with the party, we will follow the guidelines we established a few years ago.   

The party is FREE to everyone who has either:

  1. Finished 3 or more races in this year’s series – please bring your race number from the 4th race to the party, it will be your ticket for free entry.  There will be a sticker on your bib, indicating your eligibility.  
  2. Assisted with any of the races.
  3. Paid for the series.  

We will be charging all others (including Pacers who do not fall into one of the above categories) a $13 fee to help cover some of our costs.

Remember, to help us maintain accurate results, DO NOT COMPLETE ANOTHER REGISTRATION FORM if you already ran this year. If you paid for the series, registration is in the front room of the house. If you are paying race-by-race, we have a number for you at the “Single Race Registration” table in the 2nd room. If you have not previously registered for the 2024-2025 series, registration is at a different table, also in the 2nd room.  

Thanks for all the support we have received! We hope to see many of you at the Shiver, either running or volunteering!!!!!

Sue, Georgine, and Tiffany

Blues Cruise Turns Twenty!

The Blues Cruise Race Directors have been hard at work on the 20th edition of the Blues Cruise 50k!

This year’s race will be counterclockwise.  We’ve created a participant guide which can be found on the Blues Cruise website to facilitate planning.

We’ll be continuing with our relay option and have slightly reduced the price for relay entries. The Triple Trail Challenge 50.3, which links Blues Cruise to the Charlie Horse Half-Marathon and Run for the Ages 10K, will continue, and Shaun Luther set up a one-stop sign-up page.  

This year the Triple Trail Challenge Starter Pack has been added for runners who complete The Dirty Pony 5k, Run for the Ages 10k, and a relay leg at Blues Cruise.  

Finally, we’re planning special swag for our 20th anniversary, so stay alert and keep training!

Wednesday Night Runs (March ’25 Locations)

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!)

All runs start at 6:15 p.m.

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

Fleet Feet’s “Shamrock Shuffle” Set for Friday, 3/14/25

Get your green on and join Fleet Feet West Reading at Oakbrook Brewing Company for the 2025 Shamrock Shuffle. This is a FUN run to celebrate the holiday and not a timed race. 

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Lauren’s Foundation who supports local families through a variety of charitable funds that support high school seniors, families with seriously ill children, brain tumor research and organ donation awareness. A representative of Lauren’s Foundation will be at the race to collect any extra donations and to discuss their charity.

Hoka will be joining us this year with their newest models to demo on this run. All participants will receive a raffle ticket to win a free pair of Hoka’s of your choice but if you demo a pair at the Shuffle you will receive a 2nd ticket. Also, your first round of beer is on Hoka and Fleet Feet West Reading!

Although you don’t need to wear green, or dress like a leprechaun, we will be voting on the best dressed. One LUCKY winner will receive a $50 Fleet Feet gift card and a Fleet Feet hat!

Every participant will receive a free beer! 

This is the end of the March ’25 Newsletter.