Minutes from the General Meeting (October, 2023)

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General Meeting Minutes

Date: October 11, 2023

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Mohnton Fire Company

Treasury Report – Shaun Luther – 123% of target. Expenses for Blues Cruise expected. Paid the annual bill for Storage World.

Races:

  • Blues Cruise 50K (completed for 2023) – Mike Whalen: gave the statistics for Blues Cruise. Items donated and given in kind totaled $5875. Hoffman Industries donated 6 new folding tables, facilitated by Jeff Hills. The runners did ok, even in the warm weather. No issues with the park reported – the directors were especially focused on the parking and the overtime of the rangers. Over 40 volunteer hours of trail maintenance were logged. The profit was respectable. Elaine Cook: 131 registered volunteers – all the runners talked about how good the course was and how committed the volunteers were. “Oktoberfest” won the aid station of the year – the surveys were overwhelming positive for the aid stations. The date for next year’s event will be October 6, 2024. Registration will open in December. 
  • Oley Valley Country Classic 10 mile and 5K runs (Saturday, November 4) – About 100 runners registered so far. Volunteers needed. Lenny and Barry setting up on Friday. Trailer pullers are needed. 
  • Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run (Sunday, December 31) – About 60 runners registered so far, on New Year’s Eve day again this year. 
  • Shiver by the River 5K and 10K (First race is December 10) – Sue Jackson – Some people won gift certificates for the race, and they should mail in their application with the certificate. About 40 people registered so far. 
  • Jr. High Cross Country Fall Invitational (Saturday, October 23) – Tom and Gwen Chobot continue as directors for this event. They are looking for volunteers, 6:30 to 11:00 at the Fair Grounds. The High School event is on October 17. More details are posted in the discussion group on Facebook. Parking, registration, finish line, and tear down.

Committee Reports

Social Committee:

  • Wine and cheese social evening (recently held) – a really nice venue and event, which included a brief glimpse of the STARLINK satellites train in the summer sky. Britny and Lisa did an excellent job of organizing. They will book this venue and do a similar event again next year. The pre-registration via an app went well, and seems to be how event registration will be handled in the future.
  • Skating, 5 to 7 p.m., Oct 21, at Skateaway, Tiffany and family hosting.
  • Christmas Party, Friday, December 1, at the Grill Fire Company. Planning to do the pre-event attendance signup like the wine and cheese social.

Communications Committee

  • Website – Michelle Henry will work with Ed Recker, Caroline Hill, and John Durand to improve the website

Community Service

  • Long run, scheduled for Sunday, Oct 29, at Opalanie Park / Bryn Coed Preserve – see the discussion board for details.
  • Race Mates – IM Able in Wyo went well. This program will start up again in the Spring with the Lacey Run.
  • The club is donating unopened race food to Opportunity House. A volunteer Pacer-hosted dinner, is scheduled for Monday, January 8, for Pacer. Mike Whalen made a motion to have the club pay for the food (not the volunteers), seconded, and approved by the members present. Donations will be approved up to reasonable expenses to prepare the meal for approximately 70 to 80 people.

Membership committee: Annual membership drive will commence soon. Jason Karpinski will be sending out an e-blast.

Old business 

  • Annual club election starts at the beginning of November – refer to the newsletter for information for those who would like to run for office.
  • For anyone still wanting to complete the Pacer passport: November is the last meeting to attend for the year, in case you need your meeting attendance completed.

New business

  • Oil Creek 100-miler – Cody Harris (2nd overall) and Jason Karpinski was a finisher. Congratulations to them. (Other Pacers ran and finished well – hopefully they will post their completion in the race results section.)
  • Girls on the Run, upcoming, help needed. 9:00 for volunteers. Saturday Nov 18. 

Wednesday Night Runs (November ’23 Locations)

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Don’t forget to wear reflective gear and to bring a headlamp or flashlight!

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!)

November 1: Cumru Elementary — Post-run to follow at Schaylor Brewing

November 8: Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Fields — Post-run to follow at Paolo’s

November 15: Exeter High School — Post-run to follow at Norte sur Mexican Restaurant

November 22: GIANT in West Lawn — Post-run to follow at Alebrije on State Hill

November 29: Alvernia University — Post-run to follow at Mimmo’s

All runs start at 6:15 p.m

What’s New at the 2023 Kris Kringle 5-Miler

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The race directors like to highlight a couple changes we will be implementing this year:

Registration

  • Registration is now open!! We are doing online and same-day registration ONLY this year. Sorry, no paper applications. Don’t worry, we’re not charging you online processing fees.
  • Your race registration fee is for the RUN ONLY. You will have the option to add swag during the checkout process.
  • Registration link: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leesport/KrisKringle5MileRun2023

We’re switching up the way we do SWAG. Don’t worry, we still have the hoodies. You guys seem to love those things! BUT, some people prefer a lower registration fee and no swag. That’s why this year we have swag and no swag options:

  • Hoodies are an add-on item at checkout during the race registration process. As mentioned, the registration fee is for the RUN ONLY. As you proceed to check out, you will have the option to add a hoodie for an additional cost, or bypass.
  • Deadline to order hoodies is 12/3/2023 (same day as the price increase). We will not be ordering extra, we are not extending the deadline, and we will not have any for sale at the race. We suggest registering ASAP to not miss out if this is something you really look forward to having each year.
  • All hoodies purchased must be picked up at the race prior to race start. No holds and no shipping.
REGISTER NOW!

♫LET’S GET READY TO JINGLE!!♫

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The Pacer Christmas Party is quickly approaching.

When: Friday, December 1, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.  

Where: Grill Fire Company

Tickets must be bought in advance online–we will not be accepting cash at the door (except for raffle tickets). 

Advance ticket purchase makes this much easier on the club volunteers and helps get an accurate headcount for food and alcohol. Plus, you can easily verify your current membership status and/or renew your membership for 2024!

Tickets and info are available at https://runsignup.com/TicketEvent/PacerChrismtasParty

Thank you to everyone who donated to our raffle so far! Just a reminder that we are not accepting “day of” raffle items this year.  All raffle items must be given to Julia Hager or Brandon Beane by Tuesday, November 28th. It just makes it easier on everyone. Contact us if you need us to pick something up! 

Raffle tickets are still cash only and will be sold until 8:30 p.m.; the raffle will be drawn at 9 p.m. We have a ton of great prizes this year!

Just a reminder that no outside beverages (including alcoholic beverages won via raffle) can be opened/consumed on the fire company premises…inside or out. They were very adamant about this. 

Can’t wait to see everyone! Bring your dancing shoes!!

Next Membership Meeting: Thursday, October 12, 2023

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October’s Monthly Membership Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 12th, 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. 

Click HERE to see the location on Google Maps.

Food and drink at 6:30pm | Meeting starts at 7:00pm. All members are welcomed.

  • Members are responsible for purchasing their own beverages. Please bring cash.

** Please remember to RSVP by Monday (the week of the meeting) if you plan on coming so we can have an accurate headcount for food & seating.

RSVP can be sent by selecting your correct response on the Facebook event page or via email to mhenry.pacers@gmail.com.

29th Oley Valley 10-Miler & 5k Just a Month Away!

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The Oley Valley Country Classic is fast approaching, and we are excited to see you all there enjoying the atmosphere and camaraderie of running a great 10 mile (or 5k) event!

November 4th will be the 29th running of the OVCC. The races start at 9 a.m. from the Oley Fairgrounds. Enjoy the rolling hills on this course which winds through Oley Farm Country.

This year we are also representing the RRCA as the Eastern Regional Championship, which means extra awards presented in addition to our locally made artisan awards! 

Post-race fare will be available for all runners, along with indoor facilities pre- and post-race. Finally, Munchiez Food Truck will be on site selling yummy items from their great menu.

Come out for this great Fall Classic–if you don’t want to run the 10 mile course, come out and do the 5k! It’s just as pretty of a course, with a few less steps.

Registration is $30 on or before October 18–after that day (including race day), the fee will be $35. Extra long-sleeve shirts will be available while they last. Pre-register to lock in your size!

Thank you to our sponsors this year: IMG Physical Therapy, Fleetwood Footcare, Dieffenbach Potato Chips.

Professional timing will be provided by Pretzel City Sports.

Register online at Pretzel City Sports or click on the link below to download and print a mail-in application:

https://www.pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Oley-Valley-Country-Classic.aspx

Not racing? VOLUNTEER! We need you!! Reach out to the race directors to let them know you are available to help with the event! Email leonardeburton@gmail.com  or barrygoodhart@gmail.com.

See you Saturday November 4th!

Any questions–let us know!

Len Burton

Try Salomon Trail Shoes with Fleet Feet!

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Our local running store, Fleet Feet West Reading, has a fun event planned for October 5th:

Test drive some of Salomon’s versatile trail shoes at our Thursday Night Run on October 5! We’ll be going from road to trail in Wyomissing park so you can test the shoes out on a variety of terrain.

All Participants will be entered into a Salomon raffle. Two lucky winners will win a pair of Salomon running shoes, a hydration vest, and a custom Fleet Feet West Reading X Salomon mug!

When: Thursday, October 5, 6 p.m.

Where: Fleet Feet West Reading

Run for the Ages 2023 Recap

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The Pagoda Pacers’ Run For The Ages Trail Chase was held on June 25. The race draws nearly 200 runners to Nolde Forest and features an age-graded start, where the older age groups start early and the younger, faster runners have to catch them through the hilly trails of the park.
The race supports maintenance and improvements at the park, and, through the Friends of Nolde group, provides a donation to this effort.
Race directors Donna Hey and Blair Hogg presented the check to the Friends of Nolde at their monthly meeting on September 7. Many Pacers enjoy running the trails at Nolde, and we are pleased that we can give back to the facility by holding this race. 

Front row: D. Hey, Jennifer Stinson – Friends of Nolde President, Brent Erb – Nolde Forest Chief Ranger, B. Hogg

Back row: Friends of Nolde volunteers, several of whom helped on race day

Mark your calendar for next year’s race!

The 2024 Run for the Ages Trail Chase will take place on Sunday, June 30th!

October means high school cross country championship season, and once again, the Pacers will play a vital role

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There are two cross country races coming up this month, which involve the club, and of course, this means recruiting volunteers. One is an actual club-sponsored event, and one is assisted by our members with race course marshaling and finish line management.

The first is the BCIAA (Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Assoc.) High School Cross Country Conference Run and takes place on Tuesday, October 17, on the Kutztown University Campus. Traditionally, the club contributes volunteers from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to manage the course, road crossings, and finish line. The second is the Junior High Championships, which takes place at the Reading Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 21. Parking volunteers are needed from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m., and volunteers for course marshaling and finish line from 8:30 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Both races comprise the “big dance” of their schedule, and are the most important races of their season.

These are the only events during the year where the club engages specifically with Berks County youth, and it is a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression on the future of the local running community. This is the club’s 15th year of involvement, and the club has earned a stellar reputation among this community as a result. Let’s keep it going.

Please send me a text or email if you can help.

Thank you!

Tom Chobot  

484-269-2889, chobot7957@msn.com