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.

The NEW Pacer Passport for 2025!

And now what you’ve all been waiting for.

It’s time to click, download, print, and start gathering those initials.

The road to premium swag is paved with group runs, races, volunteering, and showing up to a few meetings.

Can you handle it?

Check out this PDF, Pacers–and don’t leave home without it!

Pacers who complete all the bubbles on their Passport by the end of the year will get a super-special, super-secret bit-o-swag.

Curious? Want answers? Reach out to PPPF (Pagoda Pacer Passport Facilitator) Michelle Henry with your questions, or just show up at a race or a group run or a meeting and ask about it. (Don’t forget to bring your passport.)

Minutes from the Monthly Membership Meeting (1/9/25)

Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Mohnton Fire Company

Steven Vida presided

Susan Jindra recorded minutes

20 members in attendance

CALL TO ORDER at 7 pm

Minutes from the November meeting were accepted as posted.

REPORTS

Appointments (Steven Vida) – Steve read the list of Officers, Club Appointed Positions and Race Directors.

MOTION:  Steve Vida moved that “the presented list of appointments be entered into the meeting minutes.”  The motion was adopted without debate.

Treasurer Report (Shaun Luther) – Balance $97,983 (153% of Target). 2024 P/L shows a profit of $1,216.

Kris Kringle Race Report (Lisa Domeshek) – Another successful year of the race with 462 finishers and a profit of ~$10k. So, ~$5k will be donated to the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association.    

NEW BUSINESS

Pacer Passport (Michelle Henry) – The program had another successful year in 2024 with 25 Pacers completing their passport. Seven of the 25 Pacers were new to the passport program in 2024.    

MOTION:  Steve Vida moved that “Michelle Henry be authorized to administer the Pacer Passport program in 2025.  The cost of the swag is not to exceed $40 per person and not to exceed $1200 total.”  The motion was adopted (after/without) debate.

Membership Renewals (Steve Vida, Susan Jindra) – The 2025 renewal process went smoothly with only a few issues driven by the RunSignup system upgrade. 

MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:25 pm

Officers Appointed by the President:

Vice-PresidentLisa Domeshek
TreasurerShaun Luther
SecretaryJennifer Pierdomenico

Club Appointments:

Membership CoordinatorSusan Jindra
Newsletter EditorMatt Brophy
Scholarship CoordinatorKatie Beane
WebmasterEd Recker

Race Directors:

RD Blues CruiseMike Whalen, Elaine Cook
RD Charlie HorseShaun Luther, Libby Crockart, Kelly Ammon
RD Oley ValleyLen Burton, Barry Goodhart, Jennifer Pierdomenico
RD Run for the AgesBlair Hogg, Kristen Rothenberger
RD Jr High Cross CountryTom Chobot, Phil Lechner
RD Kris KringleLisa Domeshek, Michelle Henry
RD Shiver by the RiverSue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

This Month’s Membership Meeting: 2/13/25

** 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 FB event, comment on the event, or contact president@pagodapacers.com.

Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters
100 E. Summit ST
Mohnton, PA 19540
https://goo.gl/maps/fukZK8BEGAsXUjDv5

The meeting is upstairs. Enter the front door and the stairs are on your left. No need to ring the buzzer for entry.

Food and drink at 6:30pm
Meeting starts at 7:00pm

All members welcome. Members are responsible for purchasing their own beverages.

This Month’s Weekend 10-Miler: 2/22/25 on the Horse-Shoe Trail

The next Weekend 10-Miler will take place on Saturday, February 22nd, at 9:30 a.m.

We will meet at Charlie Crowell’s house (151 Allegheneyville Rd, Mohnton) and run an out-and-back on the Horse-Shoe Trail.

Post-run lunch at Stampede BBQ!

Since this is an out-and-back on a well-marked trail, it’s easy to cut it short or extend it longer!

Hope you can join us!

Next Away Game: BUZZARD on 2/8/25

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

Date and Time: Saturday, February 8, 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