February’s Monthly Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 8th, 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.
Neil Armstrong. Jackie Robinson. Sandra Day O’Connor. Barack Obama. Kathrine Switzer. What do these people have in common? They were the first of their kind and now they’re legends. What if I said you could be a legend, too?
This year we’re excited to announce the inaugural Pagoda Pacer Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. To complete this challenge and gain celebrity and fame forever, one must complete the three following Pagoda Pacer trail races:
Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon* (May 26, 2024): The majority of this half marathon takes place on the Horse-Shoe Trail and benefits the Berks County Special Olympics. The later portion of the course always offers a *unique* little twist (iykyk), and it will definitely leave you with some good stories to tell.
Run For The Ages 10K (June 30, 2024): Let’s just say, this is NOT your average 10K. Its age-graded start times allow for a level of competition that you can’t really get anywhere else. If you’re an older runner, it’s your chance to show up those young whippersnappers. If you’re a younger runner, show everyone what it’s like to throw down some speed and not hobble to the car afterwards.
Blue Cruise 50K* (October 6, 2024): Fantastic 50K for first-time ultra runners and seasoned runners alike. The course offers a beautiful, very runnable loop around Blue Marsh Lake and some of the best aid station volunteers (and food!) around.
After completing the challenge will the masses build a shrine in your honor? No.
Induct you into the trail-running Hall of Fame? Nope.
Will it make your non-running coworkers care about your running stories? Also, probably not.
But will you get a sweet bit of extra special runner swag, bragging rights, and the chance to say you liked it before it was cool? Yes, absolutely!
Registration for Charlie Horse and Blues Cruise is already open on Ultrasignup. Run for the Ages registration will be opening soon on Runsignup. Check out the Pagoda Pacers’ website, Facebook page, and any of the race pages for more details.
*Please note: in order to successfully complete the challenge, runners must finish the longer distance at Charlie Horse (not the Dirty Pony 5K) and the full Blue Cruise 50K (not the relay/team option).
Shiver #3 is February 11th. If you have never run this race, or if you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us! Reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages! The race is at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and both races start at 10:00 a.m.
The January 5k had 163 finishers, while 74 runners completed the 10K. 1st male and female finishers in the 5k were Aiden Konetsky (17:10) and Ty Diaz-Cruz (20:26); with Andrew Brown (37:01) and Mikaela Smith (43:24) finishing as top male/female runners in the 10K. As always, we thank the volunteers and the runners who came out to support us!!!
Because the rental agreement for the farmhouse requires us to leave the building by noon, we ask that runners who complete their first loop in over 40 minutes NOT go out for the 2nd loop.
Looking ahead, our 4th and final race in the series will be held on March 10th. The awards banquet will be at the Temple Fire Company immediately following the race. It is free to all runners who completed 3 or more races, and free for volunteers. (There is a minimal charge for everyone else.) We are always looking for door-prizes to be given at the awards ceremony. If you own a business, or know someone who owns a business, or you would like to donate something yourself, we would be very grateful for merchandise, gift certificates, gift baskets, or any small item that a runner would appreciate. Door prizes can be brought to either of the next 2 races or the February Pacer meeting. We plan to send thank you notes to all of our donors, so if you donate or secure an item for us, we would appreciate knowing exactly what was donated and contact information for the donor.
We hope to see more Pacers at the remaining Shiver races. 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 Georgine in the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!
On March 16, 2024, we will be representing the Pagoda Pacers and demonstrating the chariots at the IMABLE BASH !
Participants must pre-register and place “Pagoda Pacers” in the “corporate table” box on the registration page.
Although this is a free event, we do suggest a donation to cover the cost of food, drinks, and entertainment. This is a great time for new Race Mates to learn how our program works.
Adaptive Athletes Race Mates has four chariots (adaptive pushing joggers) available for adaptive athletes who would enjoy the experience and excitement of participating in a 5k race, but due to physical limitations, cannot run the distance.
Guides push the chariots throughout the race, and if able, let the adaptive athletes run the last portion of the race to cross the finish line. The run lasts about 30 minutes. Guides If you are interested in being a guide for Race Mates, we are looking for runners (or cheerleaders) who would enjoy interacting with our adaptive athletes during spring and summer road races, while pushing the chariots (adaptive pushing joggers) at a 9 1/2 to 10 minute pace.
If interested in participating as an adaptive athlete or guide, please feel free to contact the Race Mates program at: racematesrunning@gmail.com.
Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – 151% of target, which is a positive for the first time in a few years. Income is up from the races with most of the Shiver by the River income included.
Races:
Blues Cruise 50K (completed for 2023) – Mike Whalen –
2024 race is scheduled for Sunday, October 6
Final race of the series
Four-people legs
1st leg is sprinter
2nd is voyager
3rd is mountaineer
4th is closer
5k or 10k per person
Can be a two person team
New course record labeled as a relay record separate from the solo/individual record
Mixed team must have at least two females
Oley Valley Country Classic (completed for 2023) – Barry Goodhart –
217 runners participated between the two races, still below average prior to covid (5K and 10-miler).
A decent profit was made, however, Barry says we still need to build up participation.
$2,000 to be donated to the Oley Ambulance Fund
Kris Kringle 5-Miler (Sunday, December 31, 2023) –
Lisa was very pleased
Made $12K
25% improvement from 2022
633 registered
542 finishes
Michelle and Lisa did pre-order swag and saved $1,500
RunSignUp was a huge success, saved a lot of money
No paper checks
Email marketing could be through RunSignUp which is included in the cost
Shiver by the River 5K and 10K (first race is Sunday, December 10, 2023) – Sue Jackson –
Always need volunteers out on the course
There will be a sweeper assisting with volunteer relief notification.
The course will be run backwards this year.
As always, Sue prefers anyone to run over volunteering, if that becomes a conflict.
Pacer Passport
17 completed in 2022
26 completed in 2023 (16 duplicates from 2022)
To be continued in 2024
Must participate in 4 group runs or bike runs, 3 monthly meetings, 2 volunteer, 1 register for one pacer run
Purpose to give something fun to improve Pacer involvement
Gets more people involved
Go to whoever is in charge of the event
Swag is a transition towel with the Pacer logo for 2023 finishers
Community Service
Opportunity House went well this past Monday, January 8.
Meatball sandwiches were a success.
Thank you to all the volunteers.
Fleet Feet Teddy Bear Trot on Saturday, February 10 starting at Sly Fox
Membership committee: Jason Karpinski –
Volunteer swag will be purchased.
Volunteers getting race swag is to the discretion of the race director.
The deadline to apply for a 2024 Pagoda Pacers Scholarship is fast approaching. If you or someone you know is applying, make sure the application is submitted by FEBRUARY 28, 2024!
Each year the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club awards up to four (4) outstanding high school seniors for their continuing education, in the following two categories:
Berks County Cross Country Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors who participated on a Berks County high school cross country team during at least their senior year.
Members-Only Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships are open to all high school seniors whose parent/guardian has been a member in good standing of Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club for at least one year prior to the application deadline.
The amount of each scholarship has been increased to $1,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. Students for each scholarship are recognized for their participation and achievements in athletics, academics, and community service. For full scholarship program guidelines, application forms, and instructions, please visit the Pagoda Pacers website at https://www.pagodapacers.com/Scholarships/About.aspx. The deadline to apply (either via email or mailed postmark date) is February 28, 2024.
Fleet Feet West Reading would like to invite you to check out these fun, community-oriented events coming up soon!
Teddy Bear Trot: 2/10/24
Join us for our 6th annual Teddy Bear Trot on Saturday, February 10th!
The Teddy Bear Trot is the perfect blend of running and giving back to our community. All participants are asked to bring a brand NEW Teddy Bear to the event. Participants then join us as we run the bears 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 Sly Fox event venue Eight-Twenty at the Mills which is behind the Sly Fox Wyomissing Taphouse. This is not a race but rather a social group run to give back to our community. Walkers are welcome and there will be a shorter route that is just over 2 miles for anyone who doesn’t wish to complete the 4 mile loop.
The the proceeds for this event will be 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. We will also be collecting non-perishable foods and blankets at the start of the run at Sly Fox to donate as well.
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!
Runners will be sent to Opportunity House to make our donations in 3 groups. Groups will depart at 10:00, 10:10 and 10:15 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. Our goal is to get to the Opportunity House at the same time to give them the bears and for a group photo. We will then leave the Opportunity and continue on our 4 mile loop. Those who wish can backtrack back to Sly Fox making you run/walk a little over 2 miles total. There will be group leaders to help direct the runners/walkers.
If you have a kid (2 years or older–up to 8th grade), consider signing them up to participate in the Healthy Kids Running Series, coordinated by Fleet Feet West Reading’s Jason Corby!
If you don’t have kids (or if your kids aren’t the right age or just aren’t into it), consider helping out as a volunteer!
Dates for the 4 p.m. runs in this series are as follows:
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!)
Remember to wear reflective gear and bring a headlamp or flashlight!
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