Author: pagodapacers

Minutes from the Monthly Meeting (April 9, 2026)

by pagodapacers

Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting

Thursday, April 9th, 2026

Tobias Frogg:  2613 Hampden Blvd.  Reading

Michelle Henry presided

Jennifer Pierdomenico recorded minutes

28 members in attendance

CALL TO ORDER at 7:00 pm

Minutes from the March meeting were accepted as posted.

REPORTS

Trail Committee (Michael Whalen)

  •  Cody will lead the team and Michael/Alan Cook will represent the club at the Blue Marsh Trail Blazers meetings
  • Lake reports 99% of trails have been checked and in good condition.
  • One Sunday per month the club will perform trail maintenance (tentative 4th Sunday of each month).
  • Long term project under study to move portion of trail that goes onto 183.
  • Blues Cruise donation targeted for new ski slope bridge & now scouting location for new bridge.
  • Rt 183 cleanup was discussed with possibility of club participating in an adopt a highway.

Motion:  “Club investigate the possibility & details of Adopt a Highway for a section of 183”

Motion approved.

Treasurer Report (Shaun Luther)

  • Balance is $82,950 which is ~97% of target
  • All Shiver expenses/income are in.
  • Horseshoe Trail Association dues renewed.

Scholarship Committee (Katie Beane)

  • Winners have been determined.  Congratulations to:
    • Kaitlyn Wagner; Oley Valley High School
    • Kyle Pedia; Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School
    • Hannah Hoch; Oley Valley High School
    • Danial Shank; Daniel Boone Area High School

Kris Kringle (Lisa Domeshek)

  • All set for race on Sunday 4/12.

Shiver (Sue Jackson)

  • Raised $2000 this year.
  • Rough year due to weather and one rescheduled race date.
  • Now going thru survey responses.
  • 2026/2027 dates are already reserved.

South Mountain ThrowDown Lite (Brandon Beane)

  • 16 people are currently signed up.

Charlie Horse (Shaun Luther)

  • Opening volunteer signup soon.
  • Special Olympics will heavily promote event as a Special Olympics fundraiser and may consider adding Special Olympics specific event in the future.

Run for the Ages (Blair Hogg)

  • June 28th and registration is open for runners & volunteers.

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:26 pm

Weekend 10-Miler: French Creek SP on 5/30/26

by pagodapacers

A group long run, starting at the Shed Rd trailhead, will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Join us at 9:30 a.m. for a 10(ish) mile run, featuring a challenging mix of rocky, hilly trails at French Creek State Park. This run will be led by Shaun Luther.

Specific route options (including something shorter than 10 miles) will be posted to the Facebook Event closer to the day of the run.

There will likely be a group heading out to lunch afterwards (probably at Fork & Ale or Hidden River), as well, if you have the time!

Hope you can join us!

Next Away Game: Wissahickon on 5/16/26

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This month’s Away Game will take us to the crown jewel of Philadelphia’s park system: Wissahickon Valley Park!

We’ll meet at the Wigard Avenue Trailhead, off Henry Ave in Roxborough (not too far from Dallesandro’s Steaks!) at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 for a casual, group run of about 10-12 miles (with shorter options for those who want to do less).

Post-run lunch spot and route will be announced on the Facebook event, where you can also post other questions, carpooling requests, etc.

Hope you can join us!

Wednesday Night Runs (May ’26 Locations)

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Our mid-week group runs have at least two different distance options (3-4 miles and 5-6 miles) with an appointed leader for at least one of the two routes. 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!)

All runs start at 6:15 p.m.

Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club Awards 2026 Scholarships

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The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club is proud to announce and congratulate its 2026 scholarship award winners, each of whom is a Berks County high school senior. Each winner will receive
a scholarship of $1,000 toward their upcoming higher education plans.

Two scholarships are open to all high school seniors whose parents are current members and
in good standing for at least one year of the Pagoda Pacers.

The recipients of the 2026 Member scholarships are:

  • Katelyn Wagner, a senior at Oley Valley High School
  • Kyle Padilla, a senior at Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School

Two scholarships are open to all high school seniors who participated on a Berks County high
school’s cross-country team.

The recipients of the 2026 Cross Country scholarships are:

  • Hannah Houp, a senior at Oley Valley High School
  • Daniel Shank, a senior at Daniel Boone Area High School

The club received applications from many very strong and deserving students. We wish all
who applied the best in their future endeavors.

The Scholarship Committee members are Beth Kohl, Cathy Unruh, Sue Jackson, Karen Rule,
Curtis Musser, and Katie Beane. If you are interested in joining the Scholarship Committee,
please contact scholarshipcoordinator@pagodapacers.com.

This is the end of the May ’26 Newsletter. Continue scrolling if you would like to view older content.

Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run 2025—Rescheduled for Sunday, April 12

by pagodapacers

Just a reminder that our rescheduled Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run is coming up on Sunday, April 12!

We’re still looking for volunteers to help make race day a success, so if you’re available, please contact Michelle Henry at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com with your availability and preferred role. If you’re planning to run, there are still opportunities to help before or after the race as well.

If you’ve always wanted to run Kris Kringle but weren’t too excited about a December start line, this may be your best (and possibly only) chance to run it in much friendlier weather. So if you’re interested in running but haven’t registered yet—or know someone who might want to join us—online registration is open until April 6 at 11:59 PM. Be sure to sign up and help spread the word.

click to register!

Please note: because this is the 2025 race, it does not count toward the 2026 PPAC Passport.

Registration Open and Volunteers Needed for “Girls on the Run” at Penn State Berks on May 16!

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Girls on the Run Berks is excited to announce that registration for our Spring 5K Celebration at Penn State Berks is now open!

Join us on Saturday, May 16, at 8 a.m. as we celebrate a joyful and meaningful season with the girls in our program. This end-of-season event is a powerful moment where participants experience the confidence and accomplishment that come from setting and achieving a goal.

Register by April 24 to receive standard pricing:
https://www.pinwheel.us/r/2ogqDJm

We are also looking for volunteers to help make this event a memorable experience for everyone involved. Opportunities include course marshals, cheer squads, and more—each role plays an important part in creating a positive and encouraging atmosphere along the course.

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here:
https://www.pinwheel.us/r/irmSBJj

We look forward to having you join us as we support and celebrate the girls in our community as they discover joy, confidence, and strength through running.

Next Membership Meeting: 4/9/26

by pagodapacers

Tobias Frogg Berks
2613 Hampden Blvd, Reading, PA 19604
Food at 6:30 PM | Meeting at 7:00 PM

Come early, grab a drink, stay after—it’s easy to chat, catch up, and socialize as a club before and after business. And if you need to skidaddle right after the meeting, that’s OK too.

Please remember to RSVP no later than Sunday, April 5!

Here’s your April RSVP link: https://forms.gle/EKmSaf1njUN6e5vB6