Miller Mountain 25k is a second-year event west of Scranton near Tunkhannok. It is billed as one of the most difficult sub-ultra trail runs in PA. My ears perk up a little bit when I hear the word “difficult.” I train in difficult, I race in difficult, and I live for difficult. (Trail running, that is.) The only way to find out is to sign up!
So it turns out there were quite a few local friends running this. We had our unofficial club photographer (Fred Foose), our hometown hero (Steven Holgate), our badass lady Pacers (Joan Bunn, Joanne Van Horn, Elaine Cook, Sheri G), and, last but not least, Mr. Preston Sleppy! Quite a local showing to tackle this one.
Back to the course.
This is a beast. I wouldn’t say it was terribly technical terrain, but it certainly wasn’t Blue Marsh terrain either. You definitely needed to pay attention! There were 4 major climbs, each over 1000′, with descents to match. Very few flat sections on this course. So, in other words, you were either going slow up a long hill, or flying fast down a hill! There were also some muddy spots on the course.
Before the race, I thought finishing this in under 3 hours was a do-able goal, but as I was nearing the top of the last steep climb, the math wasn’t working, and I thought the 3-hour goal was gone. That last climb, by the way, was a similar climb to the Torbert Climb (used on the Eastern States and Call of the Wilds courses). Plus it’s right near the end, but you are rewarded with a fast 2-mile downhill section which can be fast if you have ANYTHING left.
So, did I hit my 3 hour goal? Yes – but I had to really burn the last mile to get it. The last mile was the fastest mile (7:02), and I crossed the finish line with both legs cramping at a time of 2:59:13, 15th overall!
Super fun event! Lots of food after, and just a great small-race feel. 80 runners finished the 25k run (winner at 2:09!), with a 25k hike that had 22 hikers, and a 5-mile run that had 114 finishers. This race is now part of the Rocksylvania series, and it’s a must do, in my opinion!
Race directors Blair Hogg and Kristen Rothenberger would like to invite you to make your way to beautiful Nolde Forest this Father’s Day in order to race or volunteer at the club’s unique “age-graded” 10k trail chase! You can also do both!!
The race will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 15 at Nolde Forest (2910 New Holland Road, Reading, PA).
You can register and/or sign up to volunteer via UltraSignup. Click the button below to do it now!
The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club is excited to present of one of very few trail races on the East Coast with an age-graded start. Race directors Blair Hogg and Kristen Rothenberger are experienced trail and ultra runners and long-time members of the Pagoda Pacers.
Top age group performers have a legitimate shot at the overall title. Even if you aren’t out to win, you can enjoy a challenging yet very runnable trails in beautiful Nolde Forest with virtually no bottlenecks. Challenge your families, friends and coworkers to come out and compete on a “level” playing field. The top 10 overall finishers in recent years have been a good mix of men and women in many different age groups.
What’s an age graded start? Those who have more than a few gray hairs or have yet to hit puberty will get a head start based on age and gender. Typically, the oldest female wave starts first. Then, each following wave will start, based on 5-year age groups, working back toward the younger (faster?) folks. Wave starts bounce back and forth between sexes, as the handicap derived from the World Masters Association dictates. The youngest runners also get a head start. The actual handicap for each age division is posted at https://pagodapacers.com/Pacers.quarternotesys.com/media/Race-Apps/RFTA-2019-Head-Start-by-Age-Group.pdf.
More information about the race:
The top ten overall finishers, regardless of sex or age, plus the fastest uncorrected time, earn awards specially crafted by Nolde Forest Pottery. If participation numbers merit, medals are awarded to two fastest M and F in the following age groups: 12 & under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+ Gift Certificates from Fleet Feet (West Reading) for overall top three $50/$30/$20. Team Award for any group of 3 or more (you define family). Extra award to top Berks County XC runner.
REGISTRATION/ENTRY: Race-day registration will be available if race limit of 250 entries is not reached. Race fee is $35 with swag / $30 without until June 7, 2025, $35 after that until race day or capacity is reached, swag not included. We race in rain or other inclement weather. Race director reserves the right to delay the start of the race due to mega foul weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Check http://www.pagodapacers.com scroll bar for postponement info if weather is hurricane-like race day. Award ceremony held at 10 am.
YOU GET: Two water stops, finish place posted immediately & results on Pretzel City Sports, UltraSignUp, and http://www.pagodapacers.com in 1-2 days. Swag will be determined, please follow our Facebook page for updates!
COURSE: A well-marked 10K course over the beautiful trails in Nolde forest. VERY pretty and scenic, with fewer ankle busting rocks than most other Berks parks. You’ll scramble over some rocks and go off trail to get dirty, too. The race will start in front of the Environmental Education Building and head directly into the forest after minimal time on pavement. Most trails are wide enough for easy passing. The finish will be right near the start by the Nolde Mansion. A map of the course is on the Pagoda Pacer website and will be available before the race.
LOCATION: Race held in Nolde Forest, Cumru Township, Berks County, PA, just south of Reading, PA. The race will start and end near the Nolde Mansion. Note: Enter via Main Entrance, NOT the Sawmill Parking Lot!!
DIRECTIONS: 6 miles south of Reading, on PA Rt. 625 (New Holland Rd). 2 miles south of PA 724 and 3 miles North of PA 568. Address: Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, 2910 New Holland Rd Reading, PA 19607
PARKING: Parking near the mansion is extremely limited. Please, please, please carpool and get there early! We will have volunteers directing you where to park to use every available space. Please follow their directions.
IMPORTANT NOTES: The Pagoda Pacers strongly discourage the use of headphones during any race. Also, parents: If your child is under 18 and wishes to run, you MUST be present for the duration of the race. You may also run (we encourage it!). In the unlikely event your child gets hurt, medical personnel can ONLY treat him/her with your permission. As this is a PA state facility, alcohol is prohibited. Follow our Facebook page for additional information at https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheAges
Triple Trail Challenge
This race is race #2 in both the Triple Trail Challenge and the Triple Trail Starter Kit. If you ran the Charlie Horse Half Marathon or the Dirty Pony 5k, this race is your next step to completing the challenge and earning your special swag!
Lace up, show up, and celebrate the joy of running! On Wednesday, June 4, Fleet Feet West Reading, Brooks Running, and Currex insoles are teaming up to bring you an unforgettable Global Running Day 5K—a celebration of movement, community, and the transformative power of running.
Top 3 awards in each age group (M/F: Under 12, 13-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+)
Epic raffle prizes – A Brooks Running top + bottom AND a $100 Fleet Feet gift card
Local vendors and community partners to keep the celebration going
Opportunity to support Girls on the Run – Donate during sign-up to help empower young runners!
Global Running Day is about more than just miles—it’s about setting goals, showing up, and celebrating YOU. Whether you’re racing for a PR, jogging with friends, or walking for fun, this event is for everyone.
Running changes everything™—so let’s change the day together. See you at the starting line!
NOTE from PPAC President, Steve Vida: PPAC members can use the discount code “pagodapacers” to save $10 on registration! Also, we will give a prize to the fastest Pacers running the race. Check in with us at the Pacer table before the race so we know who’s running. (This is not part of the official race awards from the race directors.)
We’ve had a lot of rain this spring, but the forecast was on our side for the 28th running of Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon and Dirty Pony 5k that took place on May 25th. The weather was great for runners and spectators alike, and everyone stayed dry–until the last 3 miles of the course. (Or, for the Dirty Pony runners, until shortly after they started running, but hey, it’s called the DIRTY Pony for a reason!)
For the Charlie Horse, we had 117 registered runners, and 46 brave souls signed up for the Dirty Pony. With as much rain as we’ve had, the race directors considered providing life preservers and pool floaties for Charlie’s infamous section, but everyone made it through without issue and all who toed the line made it to the finish.
In the half, Alicia Keeler secured the top spot for women and Raymond Stoltzfus took first place for men. The top finishers for Dirty Pony crossed the line seconds apart with Heidi Bretz taking first place for women and David Goss for men. There were also quite a few people who ran their first official race, achieved distance PRs, or snagged personal bests for the day. Great job runners!
On behalf of my co-race directors, Shaun and Libby, I’d like to thank everyone who came out to support the race and the Special Olympics of Berks County. Whether you ran, cheered, or volunteered, we really could not have done it without the help of our Pacer community.
Important note: anyone who completed the Charlie Horse Half is one-third of the way through the Triple Trail Challenge and currently eligible to receive the awesome extra swag! Don’t miss out! Sign up for Run for the Ages 10k (June 15, 2025) to complete the next race in the series. Anyone who completed the Dirty Pony is one-third of the way through the Triple Trail Starter Pack, and Run for the Ages 10k is your next step in completing the challenge, too!
Our next Weekend 10-Miler will be at Rustic Park in Birdsboro!
Join us at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 21at 1314 Haycreek Rd. for a 10(ish) mile trail run. This run will be led by trail guru, Shaun Luther, who never gets lost and never leaves runners behind.
There will likely be a group heading out to brunch afterwards, as well, if you have the time!
We’ll meet at the Darlington Trailhead on Lambs Gap Road, near Marysville, PA–near the border of Perry and Cumberland counties–for a group long run on Saturday, June 28, at 8:30 a.m.
The route will be posted on the Facebook Event closer to the day of the run.
This will be about a 10-mile run on challenging terrain, with options to turn back early. Those who have the time will be welcomed to join us for lunch afterwards (location TBD).
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!)
NO PACER RUN ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4! Instead, we are encouraging everyone to check out Fleet Feet’s Big Run 5k in celebration of Global Running Day. Stop by the Pacer tent if you attend! (Race starts at 6:30 p.m.)
June 11: EARLY START TIME — 6PM — FirstEnergy Stadium; meet at the SW corner of Front and Exeter streets (CarTech Lot #10). After the run, stick around and catch the ballgame!
** Please let us know if you will attend, so we can plan for food.**
We submit a headcount on the Monday before the meeting. You can mark yourself “Going” to the Facebook Event, comment on the event, or contact president@pagodapacers.com.
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