Our next group long run will be at Rustic Park in Birdsboro!
Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Boxing Day (12/26/25) for a 10(ish) mile trail run. This run will be led by our club treasurer, Shaun Luther, who has encyclopedic knowledge of Pennsylvania trails.
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!)
Remember to bring a head lamp and to wear reflective gear!
Evening runs on 12/3, 12/10, and 12/17 start at 6:15 p.m.
Since the last two Wednesdays of the month are Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, we will run in the MORNING (8:30 a.m.) instead of the evening on those days.
This year’s club election will take place online from November 3 to November 13.
On November 3, an email will be sent to all current club members with instructions for how to vote. Members may then vote anytime until 5p.m. on November 13.
The results of the election will be announced at the November 13 Monthly Membership Meeting.
Below is a list of candidates running for Club President and Board of Directors.
Club president (select one)
Michelle Henry
Guess who’s back (back again)? Michelle’s back — tell a Pacer friend.
You might remember her from such classics as “PPAC President 2022” and “PPAC President 2023” — a two-season hit that fans called “surprisingly well-organized” and “way more fun than anyone expected.”
Michelle Henry’s been a member of the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club since 2017 and is no stranger to club leadership roles. During this time she:
Has served as club president for two years
Co-directs the Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run alongside club VP Lisa Domeshek for the past few years
Launched and manages the Pacer Passport — a fun, goal-oriented initiative to promote and reward member participation
Has spent the last two years as member of the board, helping to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes
Jumped into several other club initiatives that keep the Pacers energized, engaged, and maybe even a little entertained
Now, instead of seeking a second board term, Michelle’s running for club president (again!). Why? Because she’s all in on what makes this club awesome: the people, the energy, the support, the shared goals and challenges, and a community that shows up for each other.
If you want a president who’s organized, enthusiastic, and just the right amount of spicy — vote Michelle. Let’s keep the Pacers doing what we do best – running, connecting, and having a damn good time doing it.
Blair Hogg
I’ve been a member for over 15 years. I try to get to most of the events, Wednesday runs, races, and meetings. I was elected to the board a few years back and have been an active member. I took the position of race director for Run for the Ages in 2021 and have been actively involved in that event since. As a runner, I competed in track and cross country for West Scranton High School, and stayed active in the sport on and off since then, and have been consistent since 2007. My wife Karen and I live in Mohnton, and have hosted Wednesday night runs for the last few years. I’m employed by Sechan Electronics in Lancaster doing Quality Assurance work on electronics for the military. I have Engineering and Business degrees from Lehigh University. I think the Pacers need to expand our social activities to keep our members engaged. I would like us to consider events such as a pickleball night, a golf outing, or perhaps an indoor golf outing to provide our members with more opportunities to socialize and enjoy each other’s company. As President, I would look to develop events like these for our club.
Board of directors (3 candidates, 4 positions)
Julia Hager
Julia is an avid runner and has really fallen in love with trail running. A member of the Pagoda Pacers for 10(?) years, she has planned our club Christmas party the past 3 years and is currently working on this year’s, as well. Julia is pleased with the direction the club is heading and would love to be an integral part of its future.
As a board member, she would like to see
the club expand its athletic options to support our non-runner community, (biking, hiking, pickleball, etc.)
continue to explore ideas to increase registration for our races.
increase participation of “dormant” members
attract fresh faces with new energy
Julia’s creativity and energy will bring a positive influence to the club, and she’s excited for what comes next.
Sue Jackson
I’ve been an active member of the Pacers since 1987. Over the years I have volunteered at numerous races and events – way too many to count. I’ve been a race director of Shiver by the River since 1998; served as president of the Pacers; and have been on the scholarship committed for over 15 years, including several years as chair of the scholarship committee. This club and people I have met have become a big part of my life. I’ve seen the club grow not only in numbers, but also in technology, activities for our members, and community outreach. As I think about the future of the Pacers, I have 2 main goals. First, to continue having a positive impact on the community and secondly, see the club expand by bringing in new members with new ideas and goals. I’m asking for your vote so that I can actively help guide the club as it continues to grow and change.
Curtis Musser
I started running to stay active and challenge myself. Little did I know then that many of my friends would be a direct result of this decision. Helping others find their way into the running community is as important to me as my own running goals are. If there’s a group I just may be there.
If you’re this close to finishing your Pacer Passport and just need one more meeting to check off the attendance requirement — this is it! The November club meeting (11/13) is your last chance to complete that part of your passport.
Still have a few other boxes to check? There’s time!
Register for a Pacer race: Oley Valley Country Classic (11/2), Shiver by the River (12/14), or the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run (12/28)
Volunteer for 2 Pacer events/races: Help at any of the above races — or lend Jules a hand with the Christmas Party (12/5)!
Attend 4 Pacer social runs: Plenty of Wednesdays left this year, plus a Thanksgiving morning run at Nolde, and weekend long runs
And don’t forget — once your passport is complete, snap a pic with it and send it to Michelle (mhenry.pacers@gmail.com) to make it official!
The Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run is back for its 39th year, bringing all the festive feels — think crisp winter miles, cozy hoodies, and donuts waiting at the finish line.
This race is a Berks County favorite for a reason: great vibes, great people, and a course that’ll make you earn those donuts. Bring your friends, family, or your whole running crew and make it a yearly tradition. Proceeds support the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association, so you’re running for a great cause, too.
Registration Details
$25 through Nov 27
Option to add hoodie for $22 until Nov 27
$30 from Nov 28–Dec 15
Day-of: $30 (race only, no hoodies available)
Online registration closes Dec 15 at 11:59 PM EST
The Coziest Swag of the Season
This year’s hoodie color: Indigo Blue
Hoodies are $22 (add during registration through Nov 27)
Pick up before the race — no holds or post-race pickups
None available for sale on race day, so don’t wait!
Volunteers Needed
We can’t pull this off without you! We’re looking for help with: Registration, Parking, Course Volunteers, Course Sweepers, Kitchen Help & Clean-up.
If you can lend a hand, please email Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com with your preferred role and availability. We’ll confirm all assignments ahead of time and send race-day details that Friday.
Thanks for keeping this classic Pacer event going strong year after year!
❤️ Lisa Domeshek & Michelle Henry Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run Race Directors
On Sunday, October 19, Charlie Horse race directors, Shaun and Kelly, along with founders and longtime race supporters, Charlie and Kate Crowell, presented a check for $1,625 to Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Every year Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon (and Dirty Pony 5k) donates its proceeds to support athletes in the Berks County area. We would like to thank all the Pagoda Pacers that volunteered, ran, or otherwise supported our race—we cannot do it without you!
Charlie Horse will take place May 24, 2026, so save it in your calendar and come out to support a great cause. We look forward to seeing you there!
Happy trails,
RDs Shaun and Kelly
Ps. Check out the thank-you note we received from Special Olympics PA below!
We wish to thank the membership for, once again, supporting this race for 17 years. We truly believe that this race has been instrumental as a community outreach endeavor in an effort to promote interest in distance running among the youth of Berks County. Everything starts with the youth, and we need to emphasize all the benefits of running including, but not limited to, the physical health benefits, the rise in self-esteem and self-confidence, and the fact that those who take care of themselves, tend to take care of the world around them. In other words, runners, by nature, tend to make the world a better place in their own unique way. Having each been running for more than 50 years, we have witnessed this enough to believe it with all our hearts.
This year’s race had 152 7th and 8th graders from 15 Berks County schools. Sadly, the numbers were down from an average of around 200 runners since the race’s inception. This appears to be a statewide trend, maybe even a nationwide one, as these young runners have more options and opportunities available to them. We don’t know what the solution is, but as a running community, at the very least, we need to be more aggressive in our efforts to attract young people to our sport which we know will enhance their quality of life for the rest of their life.
‘Nuff’ said.
Thank you to our Pacer volunteers, many of whom come out every year, and make the race a success, as well as make a great end-of-season celebration of these young runners’ cross-country experience. We might add that at the time of this writing, 15 of the 25 Berks County Senior High runners who qualified for the state championship meet, to be held on November 1, had run our race. This club is making a difference.
In addition to the junior high race, Gwyn and I have co-directed the high school Berks County Championship Run. Part of our responsibilities have been to recruit volunteers, and each year the Pacers have always stepped up. Even though this was our last year directing, the BCIAA (the governing body of Berks County scholastic athletics) has asked our club volunteers to return as they were impressed as to how well the Pacers orchestrate a running event. A feather in our cap for sure.
We are passing the torch, and hope the club continues to be involved in these worthwhile events which will shape the future of this organization, our sport, and the running community as a whole.
Join Fleet Feet West Reading for a high-energy night celebrating strong, unstoppable women in sport!
“Move Her Mind” kicks off Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm with a cocktail hour meet & greet at the vibrant Eight-Twenty at the Mills (Sly Fox’s Event Venue), followed by an inspiring panel discussion led by keynote speaker Sam Snukis and a powerhouse lineup of women athletes, coaches, and a sports psychiatrist. During the cocktail hour we’ll have Swedish meatballs, vegetarian spring rolls, and hummus dip. There will be a cash bar, but the first drink is on us.
We’ll dive into what drives us, how we overcome barriers, and what keeps us moving. Moderated by Ken Singleton, with panelists Sorita Averill, Jess Cammauf, Aimee Kohler, Adriane Hoke and Maeve Thistel, expect honest stories, laughs, and lasting motivation. BLiNCK Studios will be providing professional quality audio/video production for our guests.
You’ll also receive sweet swag bags and opportunities to win raffles—including prizes from Shokz Headphones, Amphipod Safety Lights, Asics shoes, and other gear to keep you safe on a run!
Applications are now 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 which can be found at: https://www.pagodapacers.com/Scholarships/About.aspx
Pagoda Pacers News 