Meet the Candidates: Pagoda Pacers 2024 Club Election

This year’s club election will take place online from November 4 to November 14.

On November 4, 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 14.

The results of the election will be announced at the November 14 Monthly Membership Meeting.

Below is a list of candidates running for Club President and Board of Directors.

Club president (select one)

Steve Vida

I am a Reading native and member of the Pagoda Pacers for more than 10 years.  I enjoy both road and trail running, and I’ve done my share of racing in a number of formats and distances.  More recently, I’ve found a new satisfaction in pacing and crewing for others’ races also.  You’ll find me almost every week at the Wednesday Night Run.

During this past year as club President I saw how much energy our members put into the club and our races.  I ask for your vote for a second term.  I intend to focus on streamlining the club’s administrative workload and encouraging new ideas for fun and fitness.

Board of directors (choose five)

Mindy Brudereck

I have been a member of the Pagoda Pacers for about 2 years. I always enjoy meeting other runners and learning from them.  I have served on several boards in my profession and I would like to become a more active member of the Pagoda Pacers by becoming a member of the Board.


Brandon Beane

Brandon has been a member of the Pacer organization for 8 years. He’s an avid runner on both roads and trails, and regularly participates in club activities, both running and volunteering. If re-elected, he will be entering his final term on the board.


Lisa Domeshek

Lisa has enjoyed serving on the Board of Directors for the last two years in addition to her Vice Presidential duties. She brings with her practical experience as an active club member and race director for Kris Kringle in addition to her business and financial skills from being a small business owner. She cares deeply about the club and is committed to its continual improvement for both current members and new runners. She prides herself on lending an ear to all club members to make sure their opinions are heard and being a friendly face for new runners at club runs and events.


Kelly Ammon

I’ve been a member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2018 (or 19?) when I was co-coaching track/cross country at Wilson, and Phil told me about the weekly Wednesday night runs. At first WNRs were my only participation with the club but as the years go by, my love for the Pacer community has grown. The Pacers helped me connect with so many like-minded people, whom I now consider friends, and I love sharing the joys (and disappoints) running can bring. As a member of the board, I want to push the club to be a place for new and seasoned runners alike and build the community so we can continue to welcome people like I was welcomed.


Cody Harris

Cody is pursuing a position on the board of directors because he feels it is time to give back to the organization that has given so much to him. He has been running for more than 20 years, and he joined the Pacers 6 years ago. During that time, the club and its members have helped him grow as a runner and a person, and he wants to return the favor. He looks forward to helping increase the club’s visibility in the community and work on activities and events that add value for existing members. He humbly asks for your support and vote for the board of directors. 


Blair Hogg

I’ve been a Pacer member for quite a while, Run for the Ages race director for 3 years, and a board member for 2 years. I volunteer at many of the Pacer events and attend the Wednesday night runs as frequently as possible. Married with two adult children. I umpire youth league baseball games for beer money. Other hobbies include ham radio and astronomy – was the treasurer for the Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society for 2 years. To support my running habit I work as a quality engineer for a company that manufactures electronics for the defense industry.

Pacer Christmas Party Set for Friday, December 6, 2024!

Come mingle and dance the night away with your best Pagoda Pacer buds! Scrumptious eats by Fat Pineapple Catering and all your favorite dance tunes provided by All Party Starz Entertainment! There will be awesome prizes in this year’s raffle so make sure to bring extra $$ to participate! You don’t want to miss this end of year soirée!

Friday, December 6th
6pm-11pm
Grill Fire Company – 739 Mountain View Rd. Reading, PA 19607

Price includes: food, beer, wine, and soda
Tickets are $20 for Pagoda Pacers members in good standing and
$25 for non-members through Nov. 21. Members will receive one free raffle ticket!
Nov. 22 through Dec. 6 tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non members through Dec. 6.

** Tickets must be bought in advance**

Our intended timeline for the party is as follows:
6-7pm: Cocktail Hour
7pm: Buffet starts (cleared by 9pm)
8 – 8:30pm: Music starts


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

This is the end of the November ’24 Newsletter.

Next Away Game: 10/26/24 at Valley Forge!

Looking for a little adventure and to run somewhere new?

Come join us at the next “Pacer Away Game” for a casual, group run!

We’ll be heading to Valley Forge National Historic Park on Saturday, October 26.

Meet at the Betztwood Trail Head at 9:30 a.m.

The run will be approximately 10 miles, with options to cut it short.

A route and probable post-run lunch venue will be posted to the Facebook Event closer to the day of the run.

We hope you can join us!

Next Weekend 10-Miler on 10/20/24

This month’s weekend 10-mile group run will take place on Sunday, October 20th, at French Creek State Park!
We will meet at the Fire Tower parking lot at 9:30 a.m.

A route and possible post-run lunch spot will be posted to the Facebook Event for this run closer to the 20th.

These runs are social runs, at a casual pace, and we don’t leave slower runners behind, so no need to worry about getting dropped in the middle of the woods!

We hope you can join us!

Race Results (September ’24)

Want to see your race results in the next newsletter?

Email your race results to Amy Bird at ruseenamy@gmail.com.

Labor Pains 12 Hr Trail

Lou Donofrio60 miles2nd Overall
Tod Slabik50 miles1st M 50-59
Rhoda Smoker50 miles3rd F 30-39
Jenn Guigley45 miles2nd F 40-49
Tania Salaneck45 miles5th F 40-49
Brock Kline45 miles
Kelly Ammon40 miles
Sheri Golembiewski40 miles
Sandie Kincaid40 miles
Julia Hager40 miles
Melissa Lin35 miles
Kristen Rothenberger35 miles3rd F Clyde
Cody Harris50k
Steven Vida50k
Brittini Harris26.2 miles
Jim Drumm26.2 miles4th M 60-69
Michelle Foley26.2 miles
Jason Glass20 miles
Helene Horn20 miles
Joanne Patti15 miles

Third Thirsty Thursday 5k (Race 6 of 7)

20:59Brock Kline4th M 40-49
24:00Sheri Golembiewski2nd F 40-49
25:54Sandie Kincaid4th F 40-49
26:38Peter Schlegel Jr
27:28Jason Tolley2nd M Clyde
28:00Danielle Smith
29:26Blair Hogg
29:53Joanne Patti1st F 60-69
30:00Jim Drumm
30:15Denyne Tolley
32:25Michelle Foley
32:49Larry Drogo
34:53Dianne Showers3rd F 60-69
40:59Rick Showers
41:16Bruce Cronrath2nd M 78+
57:24Charlie Crowell Sr
57:26Helene HornSweep 🙂

Lehigh Parkway Ultra 50k

7:04:20Steven Holgate2nd M 50-59

Volunteer Opportunity at Junior High XC Fall Invitational on 10/19/24

When: Saturday, October 19th, 7 to 11AM

Where: Reading Fairgrounds, Bern Township

Race Information and how to get involved

The “Fall Run-Off” Invitational boys and girls races is for all 7th and 8th grade Berks County runners who have competed for a BCIAA school district during the 2024 junior high season.

Awards:  

Top 5 boys and girls teams

Top 15 individual 7th and 8th grade boys                           

Top 15 individual 7th and 8th grade girls 

A total of 60 individual awards!!!

Directions:  Link to map The Reading Fairgrounds are located off of Route 183, at County Welfare & Hilltop Roads in Bern Township, Berks County, PA.  From 222 follow 183 North to the traffic light at CVS/pharmacy, turn left and then turn right on County Welfare Road. 

If you have time to help out with this event, contact Tom Chobot, or call 484-269-2889.

Letter from the President re: Fate of Gring’s Mill Race

At the upcoming October monthly meeting, I will make a motion to discontinue the club’s Gring’s Mill race. If you want to participate in the debate and vote, please attend on October 10.

The current race director is moving from the area. This prompted discussion at the last Board of Directors’ meeting, and a recommendation to bring the issue before the club for a vote. The size of the club has decreased over the last decade. This action is intended to reduce the commitments of the club and avoid overextending our race directors and volunteers.

** 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.

Steve

president@pagodapacers.com

30th Annual Oley Valley Country Classic Just a Month Away

Coming Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 9 a.m.—the 30th running of the Oley Valley Country Classic—10 Mile and 5k PLUS (more on that later) races, and new this year, the “Croc-O-Mile”—a one mile run in Crocs!!

THE OVCC will start and end at the Oley Valley High School!  Registration will be indoors including bathroom facilities for pre- and post-run gathering.

We are going with a long sleeve shirt this year, with a super cool Pagoda / Hex sign logo—the design  looks awesome!

Watch our Facebook and Instagram for updates.

To guarantee your shirt, sign up by October 18. We will have some extras for race-day registration.  
Sign up today at: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Oley/30thAnnuaOleyValleyCountryClassic10Mile5KSaturdayNovember3rd

This event is also an RRCA Eastern Regional Championship, and a great place to run a PR, on this smooth, rolling hills course.

Munchiez Food Truck will be on site cooking up their menu. The Pagoda Pacers will also have light post-race fare available.  

Run your best 10M and finish on the track of the Oley Valley High School!

The 5K–for safety’s sake–has measured out to 3.25 miles. I’m sorry, but with the race location this year and the rural area, we are limited on road choices and the best loop we have devised is a little bit longer than your typical 3.1.  It’s really in the best interest unless you want to run up a gigantic hill or evade traffic on a road that’s not-the-best for a race. The roads we are using are the best for the safety of our runners.  

Croc-O-Mile: I think this is the funniest idea! Run your best in Crocs (or equivalent) on the Oley High School Track. Sign up in advance or on race day for this no frills fun run in your favorite rubber shoe! Only $5!  

We are actively looking for volunteers to help us make this race go smoothly. Please click on the link below if you are interested in volunteering:

https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/PA/Oley/30thAnnuaOleyValleyCountryClassic10Mile5KSaturdayNovember3rd

OR reach out to a race director to let them know of your availability.  leonardeburton@gmail.com or barrygoodhart@gmail.com

 See you in Oley on November 3!

Tank Tops to Shiver In

Dates:  2nd Sunday:  Dec 8th, Jan 12th, Feb 9th, March 9th  

Time:  10:00 am; Registration opens at 8:30

Location:  Jim Dietrich Park, Muhlenberg Twp.

Come out and join us for the best winter series in the area!! If you have never run a Shiver race, or if it’s been a few years, this is a great reason for running through the winter, not to mention seeing runners you haven’t seen for years! If you are one of the many runners we see year after year, we look forward to seeing you again.  

Online registration, for the series is open and can be found at www.pretzelcitysports.com.    

Once again, we are not mailing apps!  However, we will accept mail-in registrations.  Apps can be printed from www.pagodapacers.com, or they can be picked up at any of the many races timed by Pretzel City Sports. Pre-registration is only available for the series; however, we will have race-day registration for both the series and individual races.   

This year’s swag is a tank top in both women’s and men’s sizes.  Great colors!!!!   

 

Each race includes a post-race buffet of soup, pretzels, and snacks. End-of-year party includes a hot and cold buffet, plus lots and lots of door prizes, overall awards, and 5-year age-group awards.  As always, this buffet is free to any runner who registers for the series or runs at least 3 races. There is a nominal charge for all others.

Come out and join us for our 35th season!!!!!!

Race Directors,

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja