Gwyn and I wish to thank the PPAC for their enthusiastic support of two major youth cross country races held in Berks County during the month of October.
Over 30 members took time out of their day to help out at the BCIAA Conference Run (high school) and the Fall Run Off Invitational (junior high) which combined, comprised 500 young Berks County runners. Many of the volunteers had previously run these races and saw this as an opportunity to give back to their sport. All seemed to enjoy being part of the future of our running community.
Each year, we receive an abundance of compliments and gestures of appreciation from officials, coaches, and parents, and we make it clear that we can only do this with the support we receive from the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club. This year was no different. We cannot overemphasize the importance and impact that the club’s contribution has had with these two races. Well done, Pacers!
This year’s club election will be conducted online from Wednesday, November 1st until Thursday, November 9th at 5 p.m. Each club member will receive an email with instructions for how to vote. If you are a club remember and did not receive such an email on November 1st, please reach out to Matt Brophy at Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com.
Below are the candidates running for elected positions this year.
candidate for president
STEVE VIDA: I joined the Pagoda Pacers about 10 years ago. I had been running for a few years – but always alone. Then I went to my first Wednesday Night Run and knew I’d be coming back every week. I love running with the group and meeting new runners. Even 10 years later, I don’t often miss a WNR.
I am now asking for your vote in the election for President of the Pagoda Pacers. These would be my priorities as President: 1. Maintain good governance of the club’s resources. 2. Support our race directors and event coordinators. These leaders take on a great deal of responsibility and make things happen for the club. When they have issues, I want to help resolve them. 3. Listen to club members – being open to complaints and new ideas. 4. There is a lot going on in the running community in Berks County. I want to ensure the club remains central to this activity. We need to be engaged, responsive and accessible.
CANDIDATES for board of directors
JASON KARPINSKI: My time with the club began well before I was ever a member. I first had interactions with the club when I attempted my first Blues Cruise in 2006. Since 2006 I have had the fortune to run (if my math is correct) sixteen 50k, three 100k, and two 100-milers, with plans to run many, many more. Running has become an incredibly large part of my life and without a doubt it is the community of running that draws me in over and over again. I have been able to get a taste for the hard work that our members and race directors put into our events and I take pride in knowing how much our active member base cares for each other and the greater Reading area. As a Board of Directors member I would work to further the reach of the PPAC within the community through increased volunteer opportunities, and my own engagement in community events. It is my belief that the impact made by this club, although already large, can become something unimaginable.
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 about 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. I want us to continue to become a real welcoming part of the running community, constantly bringing in new and younger members. I’m asking for your vote so that I can actively help guide the club as it continues to grow and change.
MIHAI SANCHEZ: I’m Mihai Sanchez and I’ve been a proud member of the Pagoda Pacers for three years. I compete in various races throughout the region and enjoy giving back when I’m not racing. I’ve volunteered at Pacer races and youth races and I’ve also had the honor of serving as an assistant Jr. High coach at Wyomissing. With my active presence in our great running community, I am running for Board of Directors to expand on my service for the next generation of the club. I feel as if I can provide a similar, but different perspective as to how we can expand our reach and continue the traditions and values of the club throughout our races and events. Serving as a de facto leader in the running community has been an honor and an opportunity to serve on the board would be a responsibility I would gladly take on as we look to promote wellness and make positive memories for many more in the community.
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 lifestyle. Now growing the running community is as important to me as my own running goals are. Sometime about two years ago I joined the Pacers and started getting involved.
MICHELLE HENRY: While I’m happy with what the club has accomplished during my two years as president, I’m ready to let someone else steer the ship for awhile. That being said, I really would like to continue to be involved and offer whatever ideas I can contribute. We’ve done a lot to make the club more welcoming to new runners and to diversify the ways that members can engage with both social and athletic events. I hope I can continue to be an advocate for such progress as the club continues to be a refuge for fun, fellowship, and inspiration. Vote for me, y’all!
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – 123% of target. Expenses for Blues Cruise expected. Paid the annual bill for Storage World.
Races:
Blues Cruise 50K (completed for 2023) – Mike Whalen: gave the statistics for Blues Cruise. Items donated and given in kind totaled $5875. Hoffman Industries donated 6 new folding tables, facilitated by Jeff Hills. The runners did ok, even in the warm weather. No issues with the park reported – the directors were especially focused on the parking and the overtime of the rangers. Over 40 volunteer hours of trail maintenance were logged. The profit was respectable. Elaine Cook: 131 registered volunteers – all the runners talked about how good the course was and how committed the volunteers were. “Oktoberfest” won the aid station of the year – the surveys were overwhelming positive for the aid stations. The date for next year’s event will be October 6, 2024. Registration will open in December.
Oley Valley Country Classic10 mile and 5K runs (Saturday, November 4) – About 100 runners registered so far. Volunteers needed. Lenny and Barry setting up on Friday. Trailer pullers are needed.
Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run (Sunday, December 31) – About 60 runners registered so far, on New Year’s Eve day again this year.
Shiver by the River 5K and 10K (First race is December 10) – Sue Jackson – Some people won gift certificates for the race, and they should mail in their application with the certificate. About 40 people registered so far.
Jr. High Cross Country Fall Invitational (Saturday, October 23) – Tom and Gwen Chobot continue as directors for this event. They are looking for volunteers, 6:30 to 11:00 at the Fair Grounds. The High School event is on October 17. More details are posted in the discussion group on Facebook. Parking, registration, finish line, and tear down.
Committee Reports
Social Committee:
Wine and cheese social evening (recently held) – a really nice venue and event, which included a brief glimpse of the STARLINK satellites train in the summer sky. Britny and Lisa did an excellent job of organizing. They will book this venue and do a similar event again next year. The pre-registration via an app went well, and seems to be how event registration will be handled in the future.
Skating, 5 to 7 p.m., Oct 21, at Skateaway, Tiffany and family hosting.
Christmas Party, Friday, December 1, at the Grill Fire Company. Planning to do the pre-event attendance signup like the wine and cheese social.
Communications Committee
Website – Michelle Henry will work with Ed Recker, Caroline Hill, and John Durand to improve the website
Community Service
Long run, scheduled for Sunday, Oct 29, at Opalanie Park / Bryn Coed Preserve – see the discussion board for details.
Race Mates – IM Able in Wyo went well. This program will start up again in the Spring with the Lacey Run.
The club is donating unopened race food to Opportunity House. A volunteer Pacer-hosted dinner, is scheduled for Monday, January 8, for Pacer. Mike Whalen made a motion to have the club pay for the food (not the volunteers), seconded, and approved by the members present. Donations will be approved up to reasonable expenses to prepare the meal for approximately 70 to 80 people.
Membership committee: Annual membership drive will commence soon. Jason Karpinski will be sending out an e-blast.
Old business
Annual club election starts at the beginning of November – refer to the newsletter for information for those who would like to run for office.
For anyone still wanting to complete the Pacer passport: November is the last meeting to attend for the year, in case you need your meeting attendance completed.
New business
Oil Creek 100-miler – Cody Harris (2nd overall) and Jason Karpinski was a finisher. Congratulations to them. (Other Pacers ran and finished well – hopefully they will post their completion in the race results section.)
Girls on the Run, upcoming, help needed. 9:00 for volunteers. Saturday Nov 18.
Don’t forget to wear reflective gear and to bring a headlamp or flashlight!
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 1: Cumru Elementary — Post-run to follow at Schaylor Brewing
The race directors like to highlight a couple changes we will be implementing this year:
Registration
Registration is now open!! We are doing online and same-day registration ONLY this year. Sorry, no paper applications. Don’t worry, we’re not charging you online processing fees.
Your race registration fee is for the RUN ONLY. You will have the option to add swag during the checkout process.
We’re switching up the way we do SWAG. Don’t worry, we still have the hoodies. You guys seem to love those things! BUT, some people prefer a lower registration fee and no swag. That’s why this year we have swag and no swag options:
Hoodies are an add-on item at checkout during the race registration process. As mentioned, the registration fee is for the RUN ONLY. As you proceed to check out, you will have the option to add a hoodie for an additional cost, or bypass.
Deadline to order hoodies is 12/3/2023 (same day as the price increase). We will not be ordering extra, we are not extending the deadline, and we will not have any for sale at the race. We suggest registering ASAP to not miss out if this is something you really look forward to having each year.
All hoodies purchased must be picked up at the race prior to race start. No holds and no shipping.
Tickets must be bought in advance online–we will not be accepting cash at the door (except for raffle tickets).
Advance ticket purchase makes this much easier on the club volunteers and helps get an accurate headcount for food and alcohol. Plus, you can easily verify your current membership status and/or renew your membership for 2024!
Thank you to everyone who donated to our raffle so far! Just a reminder that we are not accepting “day of” raffle items this year. All raffle items must be given to Julia Hager or Brandon Beane by Tuesday, November 28th. It just makes it easier on everyone. Contact us if you need us to pick something up!
Raffle tickets are still cash only and will be sold until 8:30 p.m.; the raffle will be drawn at 9 p.m. We have a ton of great prizes this year!
Just a reminder that no outside beverages (including alcoholic beverages won via raffle) can be opened/consumed on the fire company premises…inside or out. They were very adamant about this.
Can’t wait to see everyone! Bring your dancing shoes!!
October’s Monthly Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12th, at Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters, 100 E Summit St., Mohnton, PA 19540. The meeting is upstairs. Enter the front door and go up the stairs to your left. There is no need to ring the buzzer for entry.
The Oley Valley Country Classic is fast approaching, and we are excited to see you all there enjoying the atmosphere and camaraderie of running a great 10 mile (or 5k) event!
November 4th will be the 29th running of the OVCC. The races start at 9 a.m. from the Oley Fairgrounds. Enjoy the rolling hills on this course which winds through Oley Farm Country.
This year we are also representing the RRCA as the Eastern Regional Championship, which means extra awards presented in addition to our locally made artisan awards!
Post-race fare will be available for all runners, along with indoor facilities pre- and post-race. Finally, Munchiez Food Truck will be on site selling yummy items from their great menu.
Come out for this great Fall Classic–if you don’t want to run the 10 mile course, come out and do the 5k! It’s just as pretty of a course, with a few less steps.
Registration is $30 on or before October 18–after that day (including race day), the fee will be $35. Extra long-sleeve shirts will be available while they last. Pre-register to lock in your size!
Thank you to our sponsors this year: IMG Physical Therapy, Fleetwood Footcare, Dieffenbach Potato Chips.
Professional timing will be provided by Pretzel City Sports.
Register online at Pretzel City Sports or click on the link below to download and print a mail-in application:
Our local running store, Fleet Feet West Reading, has a fun event planned for October 5th:
Test drive some of Salomon’s versatile trail shoes at our Thursday Night Run on October 5! We’ll be going from road to trail in Wyomissing park so you can test the shoes out on a variety of terrain.
All Participants will be entered into a Salomon raffle. Two lucky winners will win a pair of Salomon running shoes, a hydration vest, and a custom Fleet Feet West Reading X Salomon mug!
