Author: pagodapacers

Racer Report: Strolling Jim

by pagodapacers

by Andy Styer

The Strolling Jim 40-miler is a long-standing classic road ultra that has been around since 1979, created by the iconic race director Lazarus Lake (aka Gary Cantrell). I have been on a quest to do as many of these old ultras as possible before I get too old, or they go away completely. To date I have done JFK 50, Laurel Highlands 70.5, and now Strolling Jim. Before I get into the race itself, let me tell you that it is a LONG drive down to Wartrace, TN, which is buried deep in the state and not so far from Alabama. On the way down, I split it up into 2 legs, stopping in West Virginia where one of my sons lives. The way back, however, was a 13.5 hour straight shot, and after a race the day before, it wasn’t fun, and I wouldn’t recommend it. The states I visited on my trip were PA, MD, WV, OH, KY, TN, and VA.

Now for the race: This is a road ultra, and although I am a veteran of trail ultras and a few road marathons, I had never done something quite like this, and thus I was a fish out of water. Figuring out an acceptable pace was the hard part. The course is a bit rolling, and boasts around 2800′ of elevation, so it’s not flat by any means. It covers backroads, mostly, but it does have one major highway crossing that is manned by Tennessee state troopers to keep everyone safe.

The aid stations are very basic with an electrolyte drink, water, soda, cookies, and chips. No “real food,” but the volunteers are all youth from the local high school, and the race benefits their athletic programs. Also, many people had crews following them on the course, who generously offered other runners ice and water. Some neighbors even had ice pops, water, and other goodies at makeshift aid stations. 

The weather forecast was supposed to be mid 70’s, cloudy and slightly humid with a chance of rain later. What we really got was low 80’s, full sun, with high humidity. Thanks, Weather.com! I started off fine, clicking off consistent mid 9-minute miles for roughly 27-28 miles, but then the heat took its toll and I slowed a bit. At mile 29, I hit a section called “The Walls”, which is a pretty substantial climb that lasts about 2 miles. I threw my trail ultra mindset on, and power hiked this for the most part to the top, hoping to have legs left to run once I got there. Sadly, I spent the next 10 miles to the finish alternating run / walk, and just hoping to survive.

I ended up with a 44th place finish out of 151 finishers at 7:16:56. I was hoping to be around 6:30, and if you go under 7 hours, you get a special red shirt that says, “sub-7 finisher”. Oh well, maybe next time…or…umm..probably not. This is likely a once-and-done race for me!

A few fun facts about this race, some of which came in a nice booklet given to all participants:

1) I was only the 21st person from PA to ever race this.

2) Charlie Trayer (retired ultra runner from Berks) still has the 6th best Strolling Jim finish at 4:15:21 from 1989!

3) I did not get to meet Laz, as he is currently walking across the USA.

Thanks for reading!

Free Tick Testing for PA Residents

by pagodapacers

If you go for a trail run this time of year in Pennsylvania, there’s a good chance you’ll be pulling a tick (or several) off of yourself afterwards.

If one of those nasty little parasitic arachnids latches on to you, and you’re able to remove it and preserve it in a plastic bag, you can also get your tick tested for Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses!

Learn more about free tick-testing for PA residents at the Pennsylvania Tick Research Lab!

Special thanks to Charlie Crowell for his heads up about this service!

Wednesday Night Runs (June 2024)

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!)

June 5: Since this is Global Running Day, we’ll be teaming up with Fleet Feet West Reading for the “Big Run 5k” at the SRT Brentwood Trailhead — $10 registration fee with discount code “pacer10”!

June 12: — Kelly and Mark’s place (1113 Carsonia Ave, Reading) — Post-run to follow at same location

June 19: Bartram Trail, Hamburg — Post-run to follow at Copperz

June 26: Exeter River Trail / Neversink (Trout Run) — Post-run to follow at Lenny and Julie’s (221 Gibraltar Rd, Reading)

All runs start at 6:15 p.m

This is the end of the June ’24 Newsletter.

Charlie Horse & Dirty Pony Set for May 26, 2024!

by pagodapacers

Mark your calendars: Sunday, May 26th is this year’s date for the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon and the Dirty Pony 5k at Sleepy Hollow Athletic Club in Mohnton, PA.

The last day to pre-register online is 5/23. Day-of registration will be available starting at 7:30 AM. If you haven’t run the race in a while, please note that we are making some course changes that have added a bit more trail in beautiful Brecknock Twp.

And if you aren’t feeling up to running the races, we are always looking for volunteers. Please sign up for volunteering by clicking the “Volunteer tab” at the race page on Ultrasignup.com. 

And new for this year, the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon is the first race in the new Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. Complete the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon, the Run For the Ages Trail Chase 10k, and the Blues Cruise 50k to qualify for extra goodies and bragging rights! Runners completing these three races will get some sweet running swag at the Blues Cruise finish line. No special registration required–just sign up for all three races.

register now!

Race Results (April 2024)

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Want to see your race results in the next newsletter?

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

Bull Run Run 50-Miler

8:05:14Jim Blandford5th Overall
12:29:22Melissa Lin

Eagleton Trail Challenge 50k

8:43:11David Dunkelberger

RU OK? 5K

30:01Joanne Patti2nd F 60-69
44:35Rose Hagy2nd F 70+
48:51Bruce Cronrath
52:00Denise Wagner

Kutztown Fools Run 5k

21:12Brock Kline1st M 40-44
30:15Joanne Patti2nd F 65-69
31:46Dianne Showers3rd F 65-69
40:46Richard Showers

Kutztown Fools Run 10-Miler

1:04:25Mihai Sanchez1st M 25-29
1:13:34Matthew Brophy3rd M 40-44
1:27:16Elaine Cook1st F 55-59
1:31:02Vicki Menet3rd F 35-39
2:11:41Scott Scheidt

Butterfly Trail Run 10k

34:34Charles Fries1st Overall

Nun Run 5k

26:10Laura Werner1st F 50-59
32:45Diane Showers2nd F 60-69
34:18Larry Drogo3rd M 70-79
41:12Helene Horn
41:59Richard Showers3rd M 60-69
43:33Rose Hagy3rd F 70-79
47:19Bruce Cronrath2nd M 80+

Coastal Delaware Running Festival: Marathon

4:03:31Emily Trudel
4:27:27Lisa Domeshek

Coastal Delaware Running Festival: Half Marathon

1:37:06Matt Brophy
1:39:40Cody Harris
2:15:22Michelle Foley
2:45:37Brittni Harris

Coastal Delaware Running Festival: 9k

1:00:36Yuriko Beaman

Coastal Delaware Running Festival: 5k

29:56Michelle Foley

Hyner 50k

5:40:34Kelly Ammon
6:09:41Andy Styer
6:27:25Karin Tursack
6:27:26Mark Weaver

Hyner 25k

3:48:20Jess Gockley
4:15:11Elaine Cook

April Third Thirsty Thursday 5k

17:52Mihai Sanchez2nd M 20-29
18:57Charles Fries1st M 40-49
21:33Brian Stoltzfus1st M 60-69
25:44Jason Tolley4th M Clyde
26:05Kevin Monaghan
26:43Sandie Kincaid3rd F 40-49
27:48Nicholas DiMascio
27:55Blair Hogg
28:22Peter Schlegel, Jr
30:14Joanne Patti2nd F 60-69
32:33Larry Drogo
33:28Julia Hager4th F 50-59
33:49Dianne Showers
41:08Rick Showers
46:47Bruce Cronrath2nd M 78+
49:25Evette Vega
50:36Charlie Crowell Sr

Dr. Jeffrey F. Zackron Memorial 5k

22:50Brent Sparks
31:53Kristen Rothenberger1st F 40-49
33:57Dianne Showers1st F 60-69
43:44Richard Showers
43:48Bruce Cronrath

April Foolish 10 hr Trail Race

44 milesCharlie Fries1st M 40-49
36 milesMichael Whalen1st M 60-69
20 milesJoanne Patti
16 milesHelene Horn
12 milesScott Scheidt

Jim Thorpe Area Running Festival: Marathon

2:57:36Mihai SanchezBQ

“Run Away” in May–on the Conestoga Trail!

by pagodapacers

Each month, the Pacers will organize two “longer” group runs on weekends–one of which will be about 10 miles at a relatively nearby location (somewhere in Berks County), and one that will be a bit further away (somewhere we don’t often get to run). We’re branding the local run our “Weekend 10-Miler,” and the more “exotic” run our “Run Away.”

This month’s “Run Away” will take place on the Conestoga Trail in Lancaster County. We hope you can join us!

Where to Meet: Clark Nature Preserve, Pequea, PA

When to Meet: Sunday, May 19, 9:30 a.m.

Route: TBD (Check the Facebook Event closer to the date for more details.)

Weekend 10-Miler (May 2024)

by pagodapacers

Each month, the Pacers will organize two “longer” group runs on weekends–one of which will be about 10 miles at a relatively nearby location (somewhere in Berks County), and one that will be a bit further away (somewhere we don’t often get to run). We’re branding the local run our “Weekend 10-Miler,” and the more “exotic” run our “Run Away.”

This month’s “Weekend 10-Miler” will take place at Blue Marsh Lake.

Where to meet: Old Church Road trailhead, Blue Marsh Lake

When to meet: 8:30 a.m., Sunday May 5

Route: Ski Loop plus Skinner’s Loop (about 10 miles, with a few challenging hills)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1104178230632448

Draft Minutes from the April, 2024 General Membership Meeting

by pagodapacers

Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Mohnton Fire Company 

Steven Vida presided

Mihai Sanchez recorded minutes

29 members in attendance 

Call to order at 7:01 p.m.

Minutes from March meeting were accepted

REPORTS

Treasurer Report was given by Shaun Luther. Account balances are 136% of current target. Revenue from the Shiver series and expenses from Constant Contact were discussed.

Shiver by the River race report was given by Sue Jackson. Jim Dietrich Park is officially reserved for next winter.

Scholarship Committee report was given by Beth Kohl. The scholarship recipients are Shannon Govern and Kenzie Padilla (children of Pacers) and Addie Cohen and Aiden Konetsky (Berks County cross-country students). Katie Beane will soon take over charing the committee.

Run for the Ages race report was given by Blair Hogg. Registration is nearly 25% full (45 out of 200 spots are full). Volunteers are needed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Steven Vida moved to adopt a program designed and facilitated by Andrea Thrush for new / beginning runners. Through discussion, an amendment was proposed that participants should also register for the Gring’s Mill race in August. The motion with this amendment was adopted.

Meeting adjourned at 7:38pm.

Race Director Internship

by pagodapacers

This initiative is a new way for club members to help with our races. It doesn’t require the commitment of being a Race Director, but it is more involved than typical race-day volunteering.

The club is looking for people to assist the existing race directors. Participants will get a look at the details of how a race is managed, and the Race Directors can possibly offload some of their tasks. (It’s essentially an internship–unpaid, but potentially fun and eye-opening.)

This program is something new for the club, and we haven’t defined exactly what shape this will take. We would like to start by identifying interested people. We will follow that with discussions to match the interns’ availability with the Race Directors’ needs. We don’t expect the interns to initially be tied to one race.

If you would consider participating, please send an email to president@pagodapacers.com.

Letter from the President (May, 2024)

by pagodapacers

The Pacers have 2 new programs I want to highlight this month, and I’ll give you some background on how they got started.

During a discussion at the Pacer Race Director meeting in April, many of the directors said they never intended to become a RD because, from the outside, it looked too hard. But they helped another director, learned how to manage some of the details, and eventually grew into the role.

We’d like to create an opportunity for some new volunteers to assist the current race directors. There is no obligation to become the next race director and no need to be committed to one, specific race. We’re calling it a “Race Director Internship.” Our first step is just to identify some interested people. We’ll develop the details around the availability of the participants. For more details, please click HERE.

The other program came out of a conversation that I had last month with Andrea Thrush, who asked me if the Pacers do anything for beginner runners. The Wednesday Night Run tries to accommodate runners of all paces, but I wouldn’t recommend it for someone on their first couple runs. They need a separate meet-up for a few weeks where they can get individual support and attention.

Andrea quickly volunteered her time and energy to lead just such a program. She put together a plan, a schedule, and even a logo! Please check out the details by clicking HERE. 

I realize that most readers of this newsletter have already gotten over the hump of their first attempts at running, but maybe you have a friend or family member who would be interested in this program (which is open to Pacers and non-Pacers alike, free of charge). Please help us spread the word!

Steve
president@pagodapacers.com