November’s Weekend 10-Miler will take place on Sunday, November 17, at 9:30 a.m.
Meet at the parking lot for Antietam Lake Park on Angora Road.
We will make use of the trails throughout Antietam Lake Park and the Mt Penn Preserve. The pace will be casual, and we won’t abandon anyone in the middle of the woods.
The route and a post-run lunch location will be decided upon closer to the day of the run. Check the Facebook Event page for updates.
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.
All applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2025. For more information, please email scholarshipcoordinator@pagodapacers.com
Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Mohnton Fire Company
Lisa Domeshek presided
Michelle Henry recorded minutes
22 members in attendance
CALL TO ORDER at 7:00pm
Minutes from August meeting were accepted as posted
Kim Murphy, President of Berks Nature, conducted a 30 minute forum to collect feedback from members about priorities for outdoor resources and natural spaces in Berks County.
REPORTS
Treasurer Report (Shaun Luther)
Grings Mill Race Report (Jason Karpinski)
Statement from the Board of Directors
Jason would like to step away from directing the Grings Mill race. He is willing to work through transition with a new director for 2025. However, the situation was discussed at the August Board of Directors meeting, and the Board recommends that the club consider discontinuing the Grings Mill race. We expect to bring a motion, debate and vote at the October meeting with advance notice in the October newsletter. This was not a unanimous opinion from the Board. 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.
NEW BUSINESS
Club Elections (Lisa Domeshek)
MOTION: Specify the procedure for 2024 club election as follows:
Motion was approved.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:06 pm
Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Mohnton Fire Company
Steve Vida presided
Susan Jindra recorded minutes
23 members in attendance
CALL TO ORDER at 7 pm
Minutes from September meeting were inadvertently not posted
Minutes from both September & October meeting will be posted with November newsletter
REPORTS
Treasurer Report (Shaun Luther) – Balance $87,785 (137% of Target). The CD’s are currently auto rolling over to 12 month CD’s.
Blues Cruise Race Report (Mike Whalen and Elaine Cook) – There were 176 Finishers, 8 Relays, 24 No Shows and 25 DNF’s. The historical average DNF is 10. This was the first year with hard cutoffs at the aide stations. The Race Directors are considering changes for next year’s race that should reduce the number of DNF’s (eg. extend the race 30 minutes, add time to cutoffs after more difficult sections of the trail).
The race had a profit of ~$12k. There were ~100 volunteers, lots of vendor discounts and donations.
Triple Trail Challenge (Shaun Luther) – After Blues Cruise, the final race, there were 20 Finishers, 3 No Shows and 5 DNF’s.
NEW BUSINESS
Complimentary Pagoda Pacer Memberships for Triple Trail Challenge Finishers (Sean Luther)
Sean Luther moved that “the club gives each of the 20 Triple Trail Challenge Finishers a
complimentary one year Pagoda Pacer Membership.” The motion was approved without debate.
Race Results Coordinator (Steve Vida)
Amy Bird has requested to step away from this role after 2.5 years. Matt Brophy agreed to allow members to email results directly to him for inclusion in the newsletter. The separate role of Race Result Coordinator is no longer needed.
Board of Directors Vacancy (Steve Vida)
Jason Karpinski is resigning from his elected position of the Board of Directors effective October 10. His elected term lasts until the end of 2025. Steve Vida moved that “Jason’s position on the Board of Directors remain vacant until the November 2025 election.” The motion was approved without debate.
Membership Coordinator (Steve Vida)
Jason Karpinski is stepping down from the role of Membership Coordinator. Susan Jindra is the new Membership Coordinator.
Run for the Ages (Blair Hogg)
Kristen Rothenberger will join Blair Hogg as co-director of Run for the Ages. The race date is being moved in 2025 to June 15 which is Father’s Day.
Grings Mill Race (Steve Vida)
Steve Vida moved “to discontinue the club’s Grings Mill race.” The motion was approved after debate.
MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:20 pm
Congratulations to the 20 runners–including 5 Pacers–who completed the Inaugural Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. These trail warriors started with running the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon in May, then survived the steam bath that was the Run For The Ages 10K Trail Chase in June, and finally finished with a nice run-around-the-lake at the Blues Cruise 50k. These runners got to experience three very different trail races available from our club and received some sweet additional swag for their trouble.
Bryce Antle, Ben Ash, Danny Cabrera, Taylor Charles, Tyler Davis, David Evans, Rich Fotiades, Sheri Golembiewski (Pacer), Lisa Good, Julia Hager (Pacer), Rita Hall, Brittni Harris (Pacer), Jason Karpinski (Pacer), Tim Kirk, Aaron Kreider (Pacer), Margueritte Ngami, Jesse Rutledge, Megan Sheriff, Forest Williams, Lisa Zwierzyna
You COULD pay over $100 to run the Philly Half Marathon on November 23rd.
Or you could run through Philly’s wildest and most beautiful park with us — FOR FREE!
Saturday, November 23
9:30 a.m.
Andorra Upper Lot Trailhead, Wissahickon Valley Park
“Away Game” runs are typically about 2 hours / 10-miles, at a fairly casual pace, with options to run longer or shorter. Routes and a post-run lunch spot will be announced closer to the date of the run on the Facebook event page.
See you there!
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!)
November 6: Exeter Township Senior High School — Post-run to follow at Norte sur Mexican Restaurant
November 13: Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields — Post-run to follow at Paolo’s
November 20: GIANT on Van Reed Rd, West Lawn — Post-run to follow at PJ Whelihan’s
November 27: Stoudts Ferry Bridge Playground — Happy Thanksgiving!
All runs start at 6:15 p.m
Remember to bring a headlamp or flashlight, and to wear some reflective gear!
The countdown is on! Just 2 months until the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run, and we can’t wait to see you there!
Aiming for a new PR? Just ready to run off those holiday cookies? No matter your goal, this festive race is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family.
Plus, you’ll be supporting the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association.
Register today and spread the word!
Lock in your bib and your hoodie before the price jumps on 12/4!
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.**
Pagoda Pacers News 