Author: pagodapacers

Minutes from the Monthly Membership Meeting (November 2024)

by pagodapacers

Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Mohnton Fire Company

Steven Vida presided

Susan Jindra recorded minutes

32 members in attendance

CALL TO ORDER at 7 pm

Minutes from both September and October meetings were accepted as posted.

REPORTS

Election Results (Matt Brophy) – President: Steve Vida. Board of Directors: Brandon Beane, Lisa Domeshek, Kelly Ammon, Cody Harris and Blair Hogg.     

Treasurer Report (Shaun Luther) – Balance $92,241 (144% of Target). 

Oley Race Report (Lenny Burton) – It was a successful 30th year of the race with 275 runners and a profit of ~$6k. So, ~$3k will be donated to the Oley Valley Athletic Boosters Club. Lenny Burton, Race Director, is going to step down after next year’s race. So, the PPAC will need another member or two to volunteer to become Race Directors.   

NEW BUSINESS

RunSignUp Account (Shaun Luther) 

The club recently upgraded to a “Membership Organization”. Some new features are 

available through the website.

Constant Contact (Steve Vida)

Any club functions that are using Constant Contact for email services should be actively transitioning to RunSignup.

Pacer Apparel Store (Steve Vida)

Steve Vida moved that “the club authorize RockHound Apparel to offer Pagoda Pacer branded clothing during a short-term window with selection and terms similar to last year’s sale.”  The motion was adopted without debate.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:50 pm

Next Away Game: 12/21/24 at Brandywine Creek SP (Delaware)

by pagodapacers

Hi. We’re running in Delaware.

You should join us!

Our next Away Game will take place on Saturday, December 21st, at 9:30 a.m., in Brandywine Creek State Park. The run will also take us into First State National Historical Park!

We will meet by the Brandywine Creek SP Nature Center (4244 Wilsons Run Rd, Wilmington, DE). Click HERE for a link to the GPS location on GoogleMaps.

We will also check out a local brewery for lunch after the run (exact location TBD).

Check the Pacer Facebook Event page for more information closer to the date of the run, including a link to the route we’ll be running. (We typically run about 10 miles, with a shorter route also available.)

Next “Weekend” 10-Miler: December 26 at Rustic Park!

by pagodapacers

December 26 might be Boxing Day in the UK, but it’s going to be Running Day here in Berks County!

Normally we have our “Weekend 10-Miler” on an actual weekend, but we’re hoping that a good number of folks will be off on this Thursday-after-Christmas and will be able to join us.

Come show off all the new running gear that Santa brought you at our group run at 9:30 a.m. at Rustic Park (1314 Haycreek Rd., Birdsboro) on December 26.

In addition to the full 10-mile route, there will be options for shorter distances.

We will also meet up for lunch afterwards, if you have time to stick around (location TBD).

Check our Facebook Events page closer to the date of the run to see a preview of the route.

Hope you can join us!

First Shiver of ’24-’25 Season Just a Week Away!

by pagodapacers

Date:  Sunday Dec 8, 2024

Place:  Jim Dietrich Park

Registration: 8:30 a.m.

Race start:  10 a.m.

Swag:  Tank Top, Men’s & Women’s sizes, bright colors

Pre-registration is only for the series.  Race day registration is available for the series or individual races.  Series runners can pre-register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com until midnight on the Wednesday before the race; or by mailing the app and a check.  Apps can be printed from our website www.pagodapacers.com.  

If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering.  We need volunteers before the race (for parking); during the race (on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse); and after the race (for cleanup).  Currently we believe we have enough volunteers for registration.  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 email (gmmccool56@comcast.net).  

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

Reminder: Pacer Scholarship Applications Still Being Accepted for 2025

by pagodapacers

Applications are still being accepted for two different cross-country scholarships being offered by the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club (PPAC).

High school seniors are encouraged to apply for a scholarship as a cross-country runner or as the child of a PPAC member who is in good standing with the club.

Two of each scholarship type will be awarded. Please refer to the PPAC Scholarship page for details.

All applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2025. For more information, please email scholarshipcoordinator@pagodapacers.com

Wednesday Night Runs (December ’24 Locations)

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!)

All runs start at 6:15 p.m. (except the Christmas morning run).

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

Run Santa Run “Scavenger Hunt” by Fleet Feet West Reading on 12/15/24

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‘Tis the season to be Merry!

WHEN: December 15, 2024, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: Sly Fox Tap Room (backdoor), 820 Knitting Mills Way #100, Wyomissing

Join us for a Christmas adventure run through West Reading and Wyomissing! Run Santa Run Scavenger Hunt organized by Fleet Feet West Reading is back for our 3rd year. You will be given a list of riddles and questions to find the locations to run to and earn your raffle tickets. Because answering riddles and running is better with friends and family start gathering you group of merry runners. There are no official teams and this can be done as an individual as well. You may also partner up with someone at the start of the festivities. Be prepared to sing, dance, decorate a tree, take a selfie, battle the Grinch and eat some cookies as part of the challenge! 

You will earn tickets for raffle prizes on the hunt. In addition to the raffle prizes, we will have fun prizes for the best Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus costumes. The first 120 to register will also receive a custom Run Santa Run scarf. The REAL Santa Claus will be joining us during the post run festivities!

We will be donating a portion of the proceeds to the food pantry at Bethany Lutheran Church. Please consider donating non-perishable food items that can be dropped off at the beginning of our adventure!

The locations will be handed out starting at 9:30 am. Participants will be sent out at 10:00 am and will have exactly 1 hour to get to as many locations as they can to earn their raffle tickets. Anyone who returns to Sly Fox after 11:00 am will have to hand their raffle tickets over to the Grinch. You may only return with the raffle tickets you earned, not your entire group’s tickets.

Asics will be joining us with demos of their updated shoe, Novablast 5, along with their Glideride Max and GT2000. Superfeet will also be with us with with demos of their insoles that provide great support for your running shoes. Both brands are providing raffle prizes and will have swag while supplies last.

click here to sign up!

Race Results (November 2024)

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If you would like to see your race results in an upcoming newsletter post, please e-mail Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com and I will be sure to include them.

Oley Valley Country Classic 5k

Roy Bieber26:171st M 65-69
Jackie Snyder29:072nd F 60-64
Danielle Smith31:042nd F 35-39

Oley Valley Country Classic 10-Miler

Matthew Brophy1:10:451st M 40-44
Andrew Styer1:14:012nd M 50-54

2024 Pacer Christmas Party Just Days Away!

by pagodapacers

What better way to burn off those Thanksgiving calories than by hitting the dance floor at the Pagoda Pacer Christmas Party?!

Remember to BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE by clicking on the button below!

click here to buy tickets now!

The party will take place on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 6p.m. to 11p.m., at the Grill Fire Company (739 Mountain View Rd, Reading).

Tickets are $25 for members ($30 for non-members) and MUST be purchased prior to the event!

Tickets include food, beer, wine, and soda!

Our intended timeline for the party:
6-7 Cocktail Hour
7 Buffet starts (cleared by 9)
8/8:30ish music starts

** Please note that outside alcohol CANNOT be brought into the Fire Company. It also cannot be consumed in the parking lot.

Volunteers Needed for 2024 Kris Kringle!

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Still need to fulfill your volunteer duty to complete your Pacer Passport? Or just want to help out at one of the club’s iconic races? The Kris Kringle race directors will be much obliged!

Reach out to Michelle Henry (KrisKringleRace@gmail.com) and let her know your availability!

Or…you could always sign up to run the race! And if you’re thinking about doing that, the time to pull the trigger is now! The price is about to go up!

Register now and/or purchase this year’s hoodie before the $5 price increase on December 4th!

click here to REGISTER NOW!

The Kris Kringle 5-Miler is Berks County’s most popular race!

This year’s race will take place on Sunday, December 29th, at 10 a.m.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association.

The races starts and ends at the Berks County Agricultural Center at 1238 County Welfare Rd in Leesport.

This is the end of the December ’24 Newsletter.