The 35th running of the KRIS KRINGLE 5 MILE RACE is Sunday December 26th at the Berks County Agricultural Center, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport, PA 19533. Registration opens at 8:30, race starts at 10:00. This is an important year for club events to get real racing back after a virtual year.
Race-day registration will be available and we need as many volunteers as possible to get the race off smoothly. If you are racing, consider helping at the registration table. We also need help parking cars, manning road intersections, directing runners at the finish line, presenting awards, and cleaning up afterwards. Volunteers should arrive at the Ag Center between 7:30 – 8:00. Sign the volunteer list at the registration table and let Polly know you are there to help. Masks are required inside the 4H building as per Penn State Extension.
Proceeds benefit high school runners through the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association and provide college scholarships, free running shoes to students in need, and sponsorship of the Junior High Cross Country Invitational Race.
Click HERE to register for the best winter race in Berks County!
Don’t miss the Pacer Christmas Party this Friday, December 3rd!
Put those running shoes away for the night and gather for some delicious food and good vibes. Remember to bring extra $ for the raffles.
Date: Friday, December 3rd Time: 6pm-11pm Location: Grill Fire Company – 739 Mountain View Rd. Reading, PA 19607 Price: $10 Pagoda Pacers members in good standing, or $20 for non-member guests. Includes: Food, beer, wine, and soda. *Pacer membership for 2022 can be renewed at the party.
I started running in the 1980s, going to local races through the 1990s with the realization early on that I enjoyed trail running over road courses. I trained and ran at home on the Horse-Shoe Trail, doing short out-and-back runs, but thought a point-to-point run would be more interesting. My favorite run was from from Hopewell Furnace at the Chester County line to Plowville which was approximately 17 miles. My Dad, a great hiker of the Horse-Shoe and many other trails, would drop me off. There I was, all alone, with a couple of water bottles, a power bar, no aid stations, and no cell phone. There was no other option but to make it home.
In the Spring of 1997, I went to New York and did Ed Hart’s “Make Your Mother Proud.” This was a point-to-point ultra trail run with a one-way ride in an old Greyhound bus somewhere out in the Finger Lakes. In September of 1997, I did the Conestoga Trail Run, first of twenty. This was similar to Ed Hart’s, but with school buses and only ten miles instead of thirty.
Another interest I enjoyed during this time was coaching Special Olympic athletes, year round in all sports. I did this for thirteen years with a ten-year tenure as head basketball coach. All Special Olympic sports were at no cost to the athletes and so there was always a need for funds for equipment, uniforms, venues to practice, and many other things. A light bulb went off – a fund raiser for Berks County Special Olympics!
I had a favorite run on a good trail with no roads (that changed). Shorten the distance a little. Find a start and finish. My neighbor is the school bus contractor for Twin Valley School District. We had a great cause. Let’s do a trail run. No problem!
I kind of knew everything that had to be done, so in the Fall of 1997, I planned a trail run with a small group consisting of relatives, friends, and Pagoda Pacers, to try out the course, explain what I had in mind, and see if they had any suggestions. Mike and Denise Yoder were the Pagoda Pacers who joined us that day. On a warm Saturday morning, we ran from French Creek to Sleepy Hollow, and then back to my home in Plowville. After a good run, we gathered around outside to talk, come up with some final plans, and drink some cold Yuenglings. Just as we started, someone in the group doubled over, yelling out in pain with a major leg cramp. Denise calmly said, “You have a Charlie-Horse!” I immediately said, “That’s it. We’ll name the race The Charlie-Horse.” That was the final missing piece we needed: a name.
People often ask me if I ever got a chance to run the race. The answer is yes; I ran the 8th, 9th and 23rd Charlie-Horses and finished in first place over all. For the rest of this story, you’re going to have to wait for the movie to come out.
I have always enjoyed running with the Pagoda Pacers and now enjoy volunteering at their events.
Mrs. Clause won’t let the Grinch steal this year’s Run Santa Run! This run, sponsored by Fleet Feet West Reading, is all about having fun and sharing cheer…and this year that includes staying safe!
Run Santa Run will consist of several small group fun runs this year! Each run will take place on weekends in December with limits of 20 people per group. We also ask that you respect all traffic laws during your group run. Fleet Feet will have a gathering tent set up behind the store for pre-run warm-ups.
This year we will be running for fun with no timing, so run for fun! Wear your most festive holiday outfit, and take time to smile and make others smile!
We are collecting funds as a donation to the Bethany Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry to build Christmas Meals for those in need. This local West Reading church has hosted our post race party in the past so let’s show our appreciation and help them out!
Remember to help your gut flora & immune system! Along with the cold, dry winds, the common cold & flu are blowing around! It’s useful to create a daily self-care practice with elderberry and fermented foods to keep the body well and supple. We carry many different forms of elderberry from syrups and teas to gummies and frozen berries! We also carry Cottage Kitchen fermented sauerkraut, curtido and more which are great with your eggs in the morning! This year especially, protect your body with whole foods.
The 32nd annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K is NOW. We need runners!!! We need volunteers!!!!!
The first race is Dec 12th, at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30; both races start at 10:00. If you can’t run all 4 of them, run 3, run 2, or run 1.
Due to the persistence of COVID, we will have some slight changes. Depending on weather, registration may be outside, at the pavilion to the left of the farmhouse. If it’s inside, we will ask runners to get their bib, check out our swag and then make their way outside. If it gets too crowded we may limit the number of people in the farmhouse. We will have the soup; but instead of bagels, we will have individually wrapped pretzels. Instead of the tables of snacks, each runner will receive a snack bag at registration (as we did last year). Depending on the weather, we may ask runners to not gather inside, but instead grab some food and head outside to the pavilion or the porch.
Per CDC guidelines, we ask that anyone who is not vaccinated to wear a mask inside the farmhouse.
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!
It’s time to vote for a NEW club president and for several (4) positions on the Board of Directors.
A link to an official online ballot will be emailed to all current club members on Monday, November 1st.
Please complete the online ballot no later than 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 11th.
Results will be announced at the General Membership Meeting that evening.
Please read below for information on this year’s candidates.
Please also thank Steve Maguire for his outstanding service as President during the past three years.
Candidate for President
Michelle Henry
As a proud member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2017, Michelle has been involved in many Pacer happenings from volunteering at races, helping to organize the Christmas party, and most recently becoming co-race director of the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run. Michelle has quickly grown to love the support, encouragement, accountability, and camaraderie that comes from being a part of the local running community. As president, Michelle aims to breathe new life into the Pacers through furthering community engagement, membership expansion, and building upon the successes of past presidents. Michelle looks forward to the potential challenge of leading the Pacers into the future.
Candidates for Board of Directors (4 positions available)
Karen Rule
“I’ve been a member of the Pagoda Pacers since 2008. I love this club for not only helping me in reaching running achievements, but also as an avenue for meeting new people and exploring other activities. This club is more than running and other athletics. It’s charity, it’s community, it’s friendship, it’s a support system. I enjoy being a part of a club that has given me so much. I look forward to helping the Pacers shape their future direction. For these reasons, I am excited for the opportunity to continue serving on the Board of Directors.” –Karen Rule
Ellie Alderfer
“Thank you for your consideration. I have been a Pacer for 10+ years and the club secretary for over 3 years. I am running for re-election to the executive board. This is a wonderful group of people who continually propel me to do better things in my life, including running my first virtual marathon a few weeks ago. My inspiration to continue in an executive position is to maintain the mission of the club that calls for fun, community, and fellowship. And running. I offer the club several years of experience in management, leadership, and service to others. I am a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a registered nurse, and nationally certified in leadership and management by the American Hospital Association. I understand how organizations should run to maintain smooth operations, be fiscally responsible, and strategically plan for the future. I have enjoyed my current position as club secretary and an executive board member and want to continue the strong work already completed by our members.” –Ellie Alderfer
Beth Kohl
Beth is a long-time member of the club and one of the founding members of the Board of Directors. As a strong runner, practicing lawyer, and active community member, she has offered indispensable guidance and leadership, from multiple perspectives, during her tenure on the Board. She is looking to serve another two-year term in this leadership capacity.
Lisa Domeshek
“I have been a Pagoda Pacer member for a few years and more recently an assistant race director for the Kris Kringle Run. I am running for a board position so I can continue to give back to the club. I have met many new friends through the club and feel like running with the Pacers has made me a stronger runner and enjoy running even more. I co-own and operate Fabric Mart in Sinking Spring and also have served on the board of the Sinking Spring Library as treasurer for the last eight years. Both of these positions have given me experience and skills that I think could help serve the Pacer board. I would love to see the club continue to grow and appeal to athletes of all abilities.” –Lisa Domeshek
Larry Drogo
“I have been a runner for around 50 years. The last 30 years I have been doing races in the area. My involvement with the pacers has spanned about the last ten years, with stints as the president and a member of the board. I and my wife Missy volunteer at most of the races and events. The reason I am running for the board is to help focus the club on more events for the members. I hope to get your support in my election.” –Larry Drogo
Steve Vida
“Reading resident and member of the Pagoda Pacers since the year Polly was president. From my first Wednesday Night Run until now, the club’s impact on me continues to grow: the running, the social events, the relationships. I appreciate the company of active people doing fun and challenging things. I am pursuing a position on the Board of Directors because I want to help keep the good times rolling, both for long-time members and for members of the future. My priorities are to: promote the general Welfare, form a more perfect Union, insure domestic Tranquility, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. I will not be attempting to establish Justice or provide for the common defense, but one board member can’t do it all.” –Steve Vida
What a great race!!! Thank you to all the runners volunteers and everyone that helped make this race a great success at its new location. Great indoor facilities, hot food and drinks and the shirts looked awesome as did the awards.
Andrew Brown, 37 of Fleetwood PA was the 10 Mile winner on the new course, finishing in 1hr 3 mins 4 seconds. Way to go on the big win Andrew!
Congratulations to our 5K winner Mihai Sanchez, 23 of Reading PA for his 18:05 time.
With over 200 participants, we are proud of the event that we put together. Our proceeds will benefit the Oley Valley Ambulance Association and the Pagoda Pacer Scholarship Fund.
Thank you to Gallen Insurance, Fleetwood Footcare, Villa Graphics, and our handmade-awards artist Maggie Gallen. Also the RRCA for their continued support and providing the aid station supplies.
We are looking forward to building on this event next year and are excited about the experience we have learned with the new course and the new venue.
We will have the aid stations earlier in the course and will move the finish line closer to the main grandstand of the fairgrounds.
I’m already excited about next year and am open to any ideas or suggestions you have to make next year’s event a great one.
Again thank you to all and we look forward to seeing you next year!!
Pagoda Pacers News 