Pre-Reg Deadline for Shiver Coming Up on 11/14/25!

by pagodapacers

The SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K is NOW.  The first one is Dec 14th, 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 races, run 3, run 2, or run 1. The dates for the remaining races are Jan 11th, Feb 8th, and Mar 8th.

The Shiver is unique in that at the end of a 5K loop, runners can decide if they want to go through the chute and finish the 5K or continue and do the loop a 2nd time, completing a 10K. Runners can run different distances each month or the same distance each month. So come out and join us–it’s great motivation to run through the winter. See old friends, meet new friends, and see how your time compares month to month! Snacks and hot soup will be provided after each race. There will be an awards banquet after the March race that is free to all runners who have completed at least 3 races.  

Runners can register online at Pretzel City Sports or by mailing the registration form and a check. As always, we will have race day registration. Pre-registration deadline is 11/14. Swag for ’25-’26 is a running waist belt, large enough to carry water, your phone, and keys. Register early to guarantee the swag; we will have a very limited number of waist belts at the race!!  

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 (October ’25)

by pagodapacers

Want to see your race results in the newsletter?

Send them to newsletter editor Matt Brophy at Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com!

Marine Corps Marathon

3:36:04Nicholas DiMascio

Blues Cruise 50k

7:49:36Michelle Foley

Reading Hospital Half-Marathon

2:13:50Michelle Foley

Fitzy’s Halloween 5k

29:14Michelle Foley

Devil’s Chase 6.66-Mile Run (Salem, MA)

50:46Matt Brophy

Next Weekend 10-Miler: Black Friday Run to the Pagoda on 11/28/25

by pagodapacers

Our next Weekend 10-Miler will be a road run to Reading’s iconic Pagoda! (Note: the route will be closer to 12 miles than 10.)

Join us at 9 a.m. on Black Friday (11/28/25) for a 12(ish) mile road run. This run will be led by our lame-duck club president, Steve Vida.

The run will start at the Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields, and the precise route will be published on the Facebook Event closer to the date of the run.

Anyone who would like a shorter distance can park at RACC and join the group at 9:30 a.m. Round trip from RACC to the Pagoda is about 5 miles.

There will likely be a group heading out to brunch afterwards, as well, if you have the time!

Hope you can join us!

Wednesday Night Runs (November ’25 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 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!)

Remember to bring a head lamp and to wear reflective gear!

  • November 5: Cumru Elementary School (601 Philadelphia Ave) — post-run to follow at Oakbrook Brewing
  • November 12: Muhlenberg High School — post-run to follow at Shirley’s Cafe & Tequila Bar
  • November 19: Weis in NE Reading (2020 N 13th Street)– post-run to follow at Tobias Frogg Barn
  • November 26: West Reading (Corner of 8th Ave and Reading Ave) — post-run at Sly Fox

All runs start at 6:15 p.m.

This Month’s Membership Meeting: 11/13/25

by pagodapacers

** Please let us know if you will attend, so we can plan for food.**

We submit a headcount on the Monday before the meeting. You can mark yourself “Going” to the Facebook Event, comment on the event, or contact president@pagodapacers.com.

Results of the 2025 Club Election will be announced at this meeting.

Mohnton Fire Company Social Quarters
100 E. Summit ST
Mohnton, PA 19540
https://goo.gl/maps/fukZK8BEGAsXUjDv5

The meeting is upstairs. Enter the front door and the stairs are on your left. No need to ring the buzzer for entry.

Food and drink at 6:30pm
Meeting starts at 7:00pm

All members welcome. Members are responsible for purchasing their own beverages.

Minutes from the Monthly Meeting (October 9, 2025)

by pagodapacers

Pagoda Pacer A.C. Monthly Membership Meeting

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Mohnton Fire Company

Steven Vida presided

Jennifer Pierdomenico recorded minutes

30 members in attendance

CALL TO ORDER at 7 pm

Minutes from the September meeting were accepted as posted.

REPORTS

Treasurer Report (Shaun Luther)

  • Balance is $91.9K, which is about 86% of target.
  • Oley and Kris Kringle Income continue to come it
  • Big expenditure month (Blues Cruise, Wine & Cheese, JH XC Meet)

Blues Cruise Preliminary Race Report (Mike Whalen & Elaine Cook)

  • 258 Registered Runners and 199 Finishers.
  • 16 Relay Teams (59 runners)
  • 104 Volunteer positions filled
  • Estimated Income is $28.7K and estimated expenses are $23.1K (most is swag) for ~$5.5K profit

NEW BUSINESS

Discuss Berks Nature presentation on Neversink Trail 214/215 Project (Steve Vida)

  • Lots of good discussion but nothing yet definitive as to how the club could help with the Berks Nature project.  Will revisit at January meeting once the 2025 balance target is known.

Triple Trail (Shaun Luther)

  • Motion “Make Pacer membership free for all Triple Trail finishers for the following year”.
    • Motion Adopted

MEETING ADJOURNED at 7:50 pm

This is the end of the November ’25 Newsletter. Continue scrolling if you would like to view older content.

Nominations Being Accepted for President and Board of Directors

by pagodapacers

As we head into the Fall, it’s time to nominate willing candidates who would like to run for an official leadership position in the club!

We are now accepting nominations for Club President (1 year term) and for FOUR positions on the Board of Directors (2 year term).

If you would like to serve on the Board or run for Club President, please consider nominating yourself!

Candidates must be official club members in good standing who joined the club one year (or more) ago.

Note: our current club president, Steve Vida, has announced that he will NOT be running for re-election, so we NEED candidates who are willing to step up and take on this important role.

The deadline to nominate yourself (or another willing and eligible club member) is October 24, 2025.

Please email Matt Brophy (Matthew.L.Brophy@gmail.com) to make a nomination or if you have any election-related questions.

The election will take place online from November 3 to November 13.

For more information on the official duties of the Club President and members of the Board of Directors, please check out the Pagoda Pacer Bylaws.

Register NOW for the Oley Valley Country Classic to Guarantee a Shirt!

by pagodapacers

This year’s Oley Valley Country Classic will be held on Sunday, November 2nd at the Oley Valley High School (17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA). The 10-miler will go out at 9 a.m. and the 6k run/walk around 9:05 a.m.  Don’t forget that this is the 1st day after Daylight Saving Time ends, so you’ve got an extra hour to sleep in before coming out.

As many of you now know, this year we are honoring and remembering the original and longtime OVCC Race Director Barry Goodhart who passed away this past winter.  

Fall is well under way and the October 17th pre-registration date to guarantee a shirt is fast approaching!!!! Our pre-registration numbers are nearly 2x last year’s count at this time, and we’re getting super excited!!! So don’t wait: sign up today, join the fun, have a great time, and get a fabulous piece of swag!!! 

click to register

If running November 2nd is not in your plans, we’d love to have you come out and help with the race.  There are still nearly 30 volunteer slots that need to be filled, and we can’t pull this race off without volunteers. 

CLICK TO VOLUNTEER

Course distances are 10 miles and (new this year) 6K, so both races will start & finish in front of the high school. Given the usually perfect early November running weather, this is a great opportunity to work your 10-mile PR or PR a new distance (it’s only 1 more K). If you’re planning for a late fall marathon, the 10-miler course is a perfect way to tune up. If you’re looking for a nice Sunday morning long/short run or country walk, this event is just for you. Getting ready for the Shiver 5K/10K series or the Kris Kringle 5-miler? The 6K is a great place to mark a baseline pace. Both courses are set in the picturesque Oley Valley, where the leaves will likely be near peak color, making for a beautiful late-fall run. The routes have been finalized and can be found here for the 10-miler course map and here for the 6K course map.  

Registration/Cost:  The mail-in print application is on Pretzel City Sports here, and on-line registration is here.  Fees are $40 for the 10-miler and $35 for the 6K if completed/received/postmarked before October 17th with shirt guarantee (afterwards, fees will be $45/$40 with no shirt guarantee). Online registration closes on October 31st, but day-of race registration will be available.

SWAG: This year’s swag is a long-sleeved shirt like previous years, but now with a hood!!! …. AND….. it’s available in both men’s and women’s sizes!!!! Additionally, instead of the usual hex sign, this year’s logo pays tribute to Barry. Note: the initial printing of the car image did not turn out as well as we liked, so we re-ordered. Check out the samples below!

AWARDS: 5 year age groups (including 80+) are available in both the men’s/women’s categories of each race, and the 6K has added an under-14 category.  Also, the 10-miler is an RRCA Eastern Regional Championship, so there’s a chance of double awards for some people. And…. Door prizes will be given out to random bib numbers, for each race, at the end of each awards ceremony, so keep following the Pacer social media for details as the date gets closer!!!

Post Race Spread: There’ll be light fare consisting of Philly soft pretzels / bagels / fruit / water.  Also, Munchiez and Fresh Frenchy’s food trucks will be on-site for other food item for purchases.

WNR: Come check out portions of the course in advance on October 8th — the Pacer Wednesday Night Run will be at the Oley High School (we’ll meet in the parking lot) with 5K/10K routes to run, and post-run refueling at Bella Italia!