Author: pagodapacers

Scholarship Deadline: February 28, 2023

by pagodapacers

The Pagoda Pacers award four outstanding high school seniors each with a $750 scholarship for their continuing education. Students are recognized for their participation and achievements in athletics, academics and community service.

Pacer Member Scholarships – Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors whose parents are current members in good standing for at least one year of the Pagoda Pacers.

XC Scholarships – Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors who participated on a Berks County high school cross country team.

Applications and additional details are online at: www.pagodapacers.com/Scholarships/About.aspx. 

Applications may be mailed to Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club, Attn: Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 4115, Reading, PA 19606, with postmark by 2/28, or may be emailed by midnight on 2/28 to scholarshipcoordinator@pagodapacers.com 

All applicants will be notified by email of the receipt of their application and will be notified by mail of the final decision.

Shiver #2 Only Days Away!

by pagodapacers

The first Shiver of the ’22-’23 series is in the books! Race day lived up to its name –off/on rain with temps in the low to mid 30s. As always, we thank the volunteers and the runners who came out to support us!!! The volunteers and runners are who make this race a success!!! 131 runners completed the 5K, with 64 completing the 10K. Results are posted on both our website and Pretzel City Sports’ website. 1st male and female in the 5K were Daryl Weaver (17:34) and Cassandra Miller (21:01). In the 10K, our 1st male and female finishers were Brandan Shearn (35:52) and Mikaela Smith (42:49).

Now we are ready to move onto race #2 on Sunday, Jan 8th.  We need RUNNERS!!!! We need VOLUNTEERS!!!!! Come out and help us get our numbers back towards pre-Covid.  

If you have never run this race or maybe you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us and maybe reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages! The race is at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Township. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.; both races start at 10:00 a.m..  

Please remember to only complete the registration form ONCE during the series. As we have done in the past, we will have 3 separate areas for registration. I know you have all heard this before, but trust me, we will still have runners (including Pacers) who will complete a form for each race. We calculate the series results by bib# so each runner will have the same bib# each month. Obviously if a runner completes more than 1 application, he/she will have more than 1 bib#. 

  1. Pre-Registration is in the front room, for those runners who have paid for the entire series. 
  2. For those runners who are paying for each race, individually, and who ran in December, registration is in the 2nd room, at the table marked  “Post-Registration Single Race Entry.” We have a number with a label with your name.  No need to complete a new registration form.  If you do, there is the potential of being recognized as a different runner when it comes time to calculate the series results. If any information needs to be changed, just let them know when you get your number; no need to complete a registration form with the changed information.
  3. For those runners who have not registered for the 2022-2023 Shiver, registration is in the 2nd room at the table marked “Post-Registration.” When completing the registration form, if you have paid for the series, please circle YES; otherwise, we will expect you to pay again at the remaining races.  

A few other notes.  

  1. On the registration form, we ask for your email address so that you will be included in any future emails we send regarding the remaining races for this series and for future series. We ask for your mailing address so that applications for future races can be mailed to you. It is certainly your choice as to whether you provide us with either or both of these, but it does help with keeping our runners in the loop.
  2. Because of the rental agreement we have for the farmhouse, requiring us to leave the farmhouse by noon, we ask that runners who complete their first loop in over 45 minutes NOT go out for the 2nd loop.  

If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race, for parking and registration; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Race Results (December ’22)

by pagodapacers

Want to see your race results in the next newsletter?

Email your race results to Amy Bird at raceresults@pagodapacers.com.

Dirty Bird 15k

1:23:10Dale Wiest1st M 60-69
1:46:52Blair Hogg
1:56:51Lisa Domeshek
1:58:58Sandie Kincaid
2:28:39Paul Makurath2nd M 70 +
2:32:29Amy Bird

Dirty Bird 30k

3:52:19Jason Tolley

5k Reindeer Run (Souderton)

39:53Bruce Cronrath2nd M 70-79

Funky Santa 5k (Pottstown)

32:33Dianne Showers2nd F 60-69
36:06Diane Gilbert
39:28Richard Showers
40:15Bruce Cronrath2nd M 70+
43:11Rose Marie Hagy1st F 70+

Humbug Bustle 5k

18:37Lou Donofrio1st M40-49
24:42Blair Hogg3rd M60-67
30:18Mark Mazurkiewicz
31:18Colleen Fitzpatrick3rd CLYDETTE
33:45Joanne Patti
34:35Scott Scheidt
36:49Paul Makurath2nd M75+
37:07Diane Gilbert
39:11Barbara Raifsnider
40:12Bruce Cronrath
41:28Amy Bird
41:30Michael Oetting
42:48Rose Hagy3rd F68+
61:16Helene Horn

Shiver by the River 5k, Race #1

17:40Mihai Sanchez2nd Overall
24:38Shaun Luther
28:03Jonathan Durand
28:19Tony Agentowicz
29:33Jill Rothenberger
30:57Larry Drogo
32:27Yuriko Beaman
32:29Andrea Thrush
33:10Joann Patti
39:14Scott Sheidt
39:57Bruce Cronrath
40:47Jerrold Atwell
41:23Julia Hager
42:08Diane Gilbert

Shiver by the River 10k, Race #1

44:20Raine Fussner
44:43Matt Brophy
45:29Jeff Fussner
52:21Vicki Menet
57:53Kristin Rothernberger
1:03:29Ellie Alderfer

Kris Kringle 5-Miler

30:59Jason Karpinski2nd M30-34
31:54Dee Koutsourais1st Female
34:36Karin Tursack1st F45-49
34:37Mark Weaver1st M45-49
35:58Andy Styer2nd M50-54
36:08Dale Wiest1st M60-64
40:08Melissa Lin1st F50-54
44:33Jonathan Durand
47:28Blair Hogg
48:50Heather Nowicki
48:59Tony Agentwoicz
51:49Sandie Kincaid
54:51Joanne Patti
55:12Andrea Thrush
56:42Michelle Foley
57:09Diane Showers
60:26Scott Sheidt
63:03Kitty Wiest
68:14Bruce Cronrath
71:36Rick Showers
73:23Rose Hagy
73:33Rebeckah Musser
73:35Curtis Musser
74:28Helene Horn
75:47Michael Oetting

Run Fleet Feet’s “Teddy Bear Trot” on Saturday, February 11

by pagodapacers

Join Fleet Feet West Reading for their 5th annual Teddy Bear Trot!

The Teddy Bear Trot is the perfect blend of running and giving back to our community. All participants bring a brand NEW Teddy Bear to the event and we run them to the Opportunity House in Reading for them to use in their Learning Center.  After making our donations, we will continue on route to finish our 4 mile fun run. We will start and finish our run at B2Bistro. 

The $15.00 charge for this event will be entirely donated to Opportunity House as they continue to serve our homeless community.  Additional monetary donations will be accepted at the event and will be given to Opportunity House to support their endeavors.

Everyone will have a chance to wear-test Karhu shoes, an exclusive Fleet Feet product. Karhu is Finnish for the word, Bear, making their brand a perfect partner for this event!  Fleet Feet will also donate 15% of the sales of any Karhu shoes sold between February 12-19 to the Opportunity House. You will receive a $10.00 coupon for this time frame for a pair of Karhu’s at Fleet Feet West Reading.

Runners will be sent to Opportunity House to make our donations in 3 groups.  Groups will depart at 9:00, 9:10 and 9:15 to donate the teddy bears.  Please take a look at the pace ranges for each group and sign up for the time that best suits your abilities.

9:00am – Walkers and 13+ minute milers

9:10am – 10-12 minute milers

9:15am – 8-10 minute milers

REGISTER

Pacer Long Run for January ’23

by pagodapacers

This month’s group long run will take place on the Horse-Shoe Trail!

When: Saturday, January 14, 9:30 a.m.

Where: Charlie Crowell’s Residence (151 Alleghenyville Rd., Mohnton, PA)

Route: 15 mile “out-&-back” on the Horse-Shoe Trail, with options to run longer or shorter. (Just follow the yellow blazes until you want to turn around and head back the way you came.)

Post-Run: Stampede Barbecue

Runners of all paces are welcome–no one will be dropped.

Please RSVP on the Facebook event page if you plan on attending.

Coming Soon with Your Help — Pacer Profiles!

by pagodapacers

To continue with our mission of making the club as welcoming as possible, we thought it might be nice to share brief profiles of club members in the newsletter each month. Our hope is that this will help seasoned members and new members get to know one another, and thus facilitate an even greater sense of community!

For this to work, we need your help!

Please review the questions below and CHOOSE THREE that you would be willing to answer and share with the club. Type up your answers and send them–along with a picture–to Newsletter Editor Matt Brophy at Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com.

Both new members and long-time members are encouraged to participate. Your answers can be as brief or as detailed as you want them to be. Thanks for taking the time to share a little bit about yourself with your fellow Pacers!

The Questions — (Choose 3)

Besides running, what other hobbies, interests, or passions do you have?

How and when did you first get into running (or other sport of choice)?

How has your relationship with running evolved over the years? (changes in goals, motivation, preferences, etc.)

Write about some of the races–or other running events–that are most memorable for you. 

What do you enjoy most about being a Pagoda Pacer?

What is a bucket list race for you?

BONUS QUESTION: Would you like to give a shoutout to another Pagoda Pacer member who has been super influential and inspiring in your life? Who and why?

Wednesday Night Runs (January ’23 Locations)

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!)

WEAR REFLECTIVE GEAR AND BRING A HEADLAMP OR FLASHLIGHT!

January 4: Wyomissing High School — Post-run at Alebrije on State Hill Rd.

January 11: Alvernia University (park in lot by intersection of Greenway Terrace and Adams St) — Post-run at Mimmo’s

January 18: Giant, West Lawn (Van Reed and State Hill) — Post-run at Ganly’s (or maybe PJ Whelihan’s?)

January 25: Wilson West Middle School — Post-run at Bar-B-Q Pit

All runs start at 6:15 p.m.

This is the end of the January 2023 newsletter. You can read older posts by continuing to scroll down.

Club Election Results (2022)

by pagodapacers

After a painstaking recount, verified by a third-party auditor, we are finally prepared to announce the winners of our 2022 club election:

President

Winning a staggering 100% of the vote, Michelle Henry was re-elected to continue as our President for another year.

Board of directors

Re-elected to another 2-year term, Brandon Beane will continue to serve on the Board.

Blair Hogg, Lisa Domeshek, Kelly Ammon, and Cody Harris were all newly elected to the Board, and they will also serve from January 2023 to December 2024.

Beth Kohl, Ellie Alderfer, Karen Rule, and Steve Vida are the remaining board members, each of whom are in the middle of a 2-year term, which will end in December 2023.

Want to do more?

Interested in taking on a leadership position with the club in 2023? There are several committees and appointed positions that could benefit from your time and energy. Reach out to Michelle or come to our January general membership meeting to see what positions you might be well-suited to.

Letter from the President (December ’22)

by pagodapacers

As the year winds down let’s take a moment to wrap up and celebrate our 2022 club wins: 

We spread awareness of the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club to the community at local events such as:

  • Guts & Glory Wellness Expo
  • Berks Nature’s Tails, Trails, and Ales

We collaborated with Berks Parks & Recreation Department and Fleet Feet West Reading to promote running in our community by leading:

  • Trail Running 101 – An Intro to Trail Running to celebrate National Trails Day
  • Interval Clinic

We encouraged youth interest and participation in the sport of running by providing the young runners of Berks County with a first-class event: The Berks County Junior High Cross Country Fall “Run Off” Invitational

We saw many new and returning faces at our group runs this year 

  • Wednesday Night Runs – Implementation of guided long and short routes was a success throughout the year. We had many weeks when WNR also meant Wednesday Night Ride, as members coordinated a bike ride to go along with the run. 
  • Weekend Long Runs are back! This year we’ve hit up Wissahickon Park, Trexler Preserve, and Green Lane. 

Giving Back to our community

  • Opportunity House Dinner – Members of our club came together to organize, prep, and serve a nice hot meal to those in our community who are less fortunate.  
  • Trail clean-up and maintenance on Mount Penn, Horseshoe Trail, and Blue Marsh
  • Scholarships to four very deserving, bright, and talented high school seniors who participated on a Berks County high school cross country team
  • Through the success of our 2022 PPAC races, we were able to give back approximately $6,000 (possibly more–with a couple races yet to come this month!) to our local community by way of donations to Special Olympics, Friends of Nolde, Blue Marsh Trail improvements, Oley Ambulance Association, PPAC Scholarship Fund, and Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association.

We kept busy with a variety of social events this year including:

  • Wallyball
  • Yoga outdoors at Fawn Hill Hopyard
  • Pool party with both a pre-ride and pre-run
  • Pickleball
  • Christmas party
  • What, no Wine & Cheese this year?! Have no fear, it’s coming back on September 16th, 2023!

A big THANK YOU goes out to each and every one of you who have had a hand in these successes. Without you and your dedication, none of the above-mentioned things could happen. Looking forward to 2023!

Michelle

Shiver ’22-’23 Just Days Away!

by pagodapacers

Come out and join us for the 33rd annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K!

The first one is December 11th at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., both races start at 10:00 a.m.

Pre-registration is only for the series. Race day registration is available for the series or individual races. Runners can pre-register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com until midnight on the Wednesday before the race, or by mailing the app and a check.

New this year – we are offering a knit hat and gloves instead of a shirt with registration. Register early to guarantee a hat and gloves while supplies last!!

If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race, for parking and registration; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja