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!)
This month’s Away Game will explore the trails of the ChesLen Preserve in Chester County. We’ll be meeting at the trailhead at 1199 Cannery Rd in Coatesville at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 19.
The route will be a trail run totaling about 10 miles. Shorter options will be possible.
Likely post-run lunch spot will be Animated Brewing Company.
We will meet at Old Church Road parking area https://maps.app.goo.gl/8UqPUZBzWR5Sxixj7 at 7:45 AM and carpool to the lower Stilling Basin lot to run point-to-point on the Blues Cruise course starting about 8 AM. The run is almost 16 miles. Runners can easily shorten it to just under 14 miles by skipping the Skinner’s Loop portion, and of course adding miles is easy too.
Please comment on the Facebook Event if you need suggestions. Bring water and nutrition! About 1,600 feet of climbing. Great day to dial in your race day gear! This includes some of the best parts of the BC course.
NOTE: This run is a group run open to ANYONE who is up for it. You don’t have to be registered for the Blues Cruise race (or a club member) to run with us—just show up!
NOTE: This meeting will take place in the upstairs loft area!
Come early, grab a drink, stay after—it’s easy to chat, catch up, and socialize as a club before and after business. And if you need to skidaddle right after the meeting, that’s OK too.
Please remember to RSVP no later than Sunday, September 6!
Although I have done many hard races, this was my first 100-mile completion. People who know me well would always ask, “When are you going to do a 100-mile run?” I would always answer in some sort of vague non-answer, or I’d just change the topic. To me, it wasn’t a big deal, and I always felt when the circumstances were right, then I would run one. I had a robust spring schedule planned and was going to roll into my favorite race, Laurel Highlands 70M, and then take a summer break of non-racing.
Well, on Jan 4th this year, I received the unexpected news that my father passed. Besides turning my world upside down, I also was forced to scrap my spring racing schedule to tend to the more important things in life. It didn’t mean I stopped running; no, I actually ran more, but I just couldn’t spare weekends away at this time of the year. I did, however, complete Laurel Highlands in June.
So, how did Vermont 100 even come on my radar? Well, for one, it’s part of my quest to knock out some of the older classic and iconic races. To date I have Laurel Highlands, JFK 50, Strolling Jim 40M, and HAT 50K, to name some. You could say it was a bucket list race. Also, the email came into my inbox on the day my dad passed. How could I not?
Onto the race. The course itself is shrouded in secrecy since it crosses a lot of private land, which then connects to a dirt road section and a few short paved sections. It boasts 16-17,000′ of vertical gain, and there are some big climbs, but there are just relentless, smaller rolling hills. The terrain isn’t terribly technical, but there is quite a bit of mud. This is more of a road shoe course than a trail shoe, although a good cushioned crossover shoe would probably work best. Another cool thing about this race was it’s also the only race that has a concurrent horse race!
The race started at 4am, and my goal was to be as consistent as possible but not too fast. I was hoping for a sub-24-hour race. There are a lot of aid stations and water stops for this race, so I used a waist belt with 2 water bottles. The temps were on the cooler, humid side with a high of 75 degrees. It was overcast most of the day, and there were rain showers for about 4 hours.
I was well on target for a 24-hour finish through about mile 80, and then I slowed quite a bit. My stomach didn’t want much food, and I also had a spell of nausea, which added to the overall discomfort of running for 100 miles. I finished the race in 25 hrs 44 minutes, off my goal but happy as could be!
I did not use a pacer, but I had my ace crew chief and fiancé, Kim, to ensure I stayed on task. She doesn’t put up with my BS and also is great at reframing a negative mind. On this one, though, I had the confidence in myself to finish. These races are part physical and part mental. You have to want that buckle, and I did.
Lastly, Vermont 100 is a fabulous race and has been around since 1989. The course is beautiful as it winds through the Vermont countryside. It supports Vermont Adaptive, which helps people with disabilities to get outdoors to do the things that we love, but with specialized equipment to do so. In fact, when I was running, there was a blind runner with guides to help her finish. Although this race is a little more expensive than the average 100 miler, this alone makes it worth it!
What are the other iconic races I am eyeballing? Western States 100, Old Dominion 100, and Wasatch Front 100 to name a few.
Those of us who love trail running, mountain biking, and hiking are so fortunate to live here in Berks County, where there are so many great trail networks to explore.
But maintaining our awesome trails requires a significant amount of work. Luckily, we know that many hands make light work. Join your fellow Pacers on upcoming trail maintenance days, led by our own Cody Harris and Michael Whalen.
No experience necessary—all ability levels can help!
No need to bring tools or special equipment!
Volunteering can count towards community service hours or Pacer Passport requirements!
The next chance to help out is on SUNDAY, August 16.
Blues Cruise registration continues to go well. The guaranteed swag deadline is September 1, 2026. Online registration will close on September 28, 2026, at midnight. Race-day registration will be available, but race swag is not available for anyone registering after September 1.
Our next group run will be August 15, Skinner’s Loop (6ish miles), with the option to add Ski Loop (13ish miles total). See our Facebook page for the event details. September’s training run will be Saturday, 9/12, running from the Lower Stilling Basin to Old Church Road. More details to follow on our Facebook page.
Location: Oley Valley High School 17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547
Start Times: 9AM for the 10-mile; ~9:10AM for the 6K
New for 2026:
100% paved running surface for both distances!!! We got lots of feedback on last year’s “back-of-the-school tour” and changed the beginning of the course slightly to keep you on pavement for 100% of the course.
Summer early registration pricing and shirt option (until 10/10):
Pre-9/8 (summer discount):
10-Miler—$43 with shirt, $25 without shirt
6K—$38 with shirt, $20 without shirt
9/8 – 10/10 (regular):
10-Miler—$48 with shirt, $30 without shirt
6K—$43 with shirt, $25 without shirt
10/11 – 10/28 (no shirt):
10-Miler—$35
6K—$30
Day-of-Race (no shirt):
10-Miler—$45
6K—$40
Awards: 1st & 2nd in 5-year age groups (including 80+) are available in both the men’s/women’s categories of each race, and the 6K has added an under-14 category. Also, the 10-miler is an RRCA Eastern Regional Championship, so there’s a chance of double awards for some people.
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