Tag: KrisKringle

December weather: 2 | Pagoda Pacer December races: 0

As you know, last week’s Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run was postponed due to icy conditions.

We’re still working out a new date and will share the details as soon as everything is settled. Stay tuned!

Even though we couldn’t hit the course (literally, Blue Marsh closed their trails), we weren’t about to let our runners miss out completely. We invited everyone to swing by, grab their much-anticipated hoodies, and enjoy coffee and donuts with us. A little race-day spirit goes a long way, and we think it helped show that our club is dedicated to our runners and that canceling was a tough call, one we didn’t take lightly.

All in all, it turned out to be a successful day anyway. Donuts were eaten, plenty of hoodies found their happy homes, and we’re hopeful that most runners will stick with us for the rescheduled race. Because let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want two Kris Kringles in 2026?

A huge thank you to all who were set to volunteer; we appreciate you! And a special shout-out to the small crew who still showed up to help hand out hoodies and donuts. (P.S.–you’re not totally off the hook. I’ll be reaching out again once we have the new date to line up volunteers for the rescheduled race.)

Volunteers Needed

We can’t pull this off without you! We’re looking for help with:
Registration, Parking, Course Volunteers, Course Sweepers, Kitchen Help & Clean-up.

If you can lend a hand, please email Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com with your preferred role and availability. We’ll confirm all assignments ahead of time and send race-day details that Friday.

Thanks for keeping this classic Pacer event going strong year after year!

❤️ Lisa Domeshek & Michelle Henry
Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run Race Directors

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Lace up & join the Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run
Sunday, December 28, 2025 | 10 AM
Berks County Agricultural Center, Leesport, PA

The Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run is back for its 39th year, bringing all the festive feels — think crisp winter miles, cozy hoodies, and donuts waiting at the finish line. 

This race is a Berks County favorite for a reason: great vibes, great people, and a course that’ll make you earn those donuts. Bring your friends, family, or your whole running crew and make it a yearly tradition. Proceeds support the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association, so you’re running for a great cause, too.

Registration Details

• $30 online until Dec 15
• Day-of: $30 (race only, no hoodies available)
• Online registration closes Dec 15 at 11:59 PM EST

Lace up & join the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run
Sunday, December 28, 2025 | 10 AM
Berks County Agricultural Center, Leesport, PA

The Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run is back for its 39th year, bringing all the festive feels — think crisp winter miles, cozy hoodies, and donuts waiting at the finish line. 

This race is a Berks County favorite for a reason: great vibes, great people, and a course that’ll make you earn those donuts. Bring your friends, family, or your whole running crew and make it a yearly tradition. Proceeds support the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association, so you’re running for a great cause, too.

Registration Details

• $25 through Nov 27
• Option to add hoodie for $22 until Nov 27
• $30 from Nov 28–Dec 15
• Day-of: $30 (race only, no hoodies available)
• Online registration closes Dec 15 at 11:59 PM EST

The Coziest Swag of the Season

• This year’s hoodie color: Indigo Blue
  
• Hoodies are $22 (add during registration through Nov 27)
  
• Pick up before the race — no holds or post-race pickups
  
• None available for sale on race day, so don’t wait!

Volunteers Needed

We can’t pull this off without you! We’re looking for help with:
Registration, Parking, Course Volunteers, Course Sweepers, Kitchen Help & Clean-up.

If you can lend a hand, please email Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com with your preferred role and availability. We’ll confirm all assignments ahead of time and send race-day details that Friday.

Thanks for keeping this classic Pacer event going strong year after year!

❤️ Lisa Domeshek & Michelle Henry
Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run Race Directors

The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club is happy to invite you to the 39th annual Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run!

Looking to squeeze one last fun event in over the Christmas break? This race is always a family favorite, with proceeds benefiting the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association. So grab your friends & family and close out 2025 with us!

Course: The course features a mix of road and easy trail sections through Blue Marsh and the Union Canal Trail. We’ll be running clockwise this year. Strollers and walkers are welcome. Dogs are not permitted at this event. 

Registration Fees: ALL registration fees are RACE ONLY 

• $25 per runner through November 27th, 2025
• $30 per runner from November 28th to December 15, 2025 at midnight
• Day-of registration: $30 (hoodies will NOT be available for purchase)
• ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 15th at 11:59PM EST

Option to add a hoodie for an additional cost during checkout.

Hoodies: 

• This year’s hoodie color will be revealed in August
• Hoodies are not included with the race registration cost but can be added to your order during the checkout process for $22 until November 27th, 2025
• Deadline to order: November 27th, 2025
• Must be picked up at the race; no holds. No additional hoodies will be sold at the event.

Race Day Info:

• Registration: 8:30 AM  |  Race Start: 10:00 AM
• Same-day registration will be available at $30 per runner (no hoodie option)
• Leave your doggy pals at home, please. No dogs permitted at this event. 

Awards:

• Overall: Top 2 male and female (not eligible for age group awards)
• Age Groups: Top 3 male and female in 5-year brackets from U14 to 80, plus a 80+ category

Weather: In case of inclement weather on race day, updates will be sent to the email address used for registration. 

Keep up with the latest updates and race fun by joining our Facebook Group: Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run

Still need to fulfill your volunteer duty to complete your Pacer Passport? Or just want to help out at one of the club’s iconic races? The Kris Kringle race directors will be much obliged!

Reach out to Michelle Henry (KrisKringleRace@gmail.com) and let her know your availability!

Or…you could always sign up to run the race! And if you’re thinking about doing that, the time to pull the trigger is now! The price is about to go up!

Register now and/or purchase this year’s hoodie before the $5 price increase on December 4th!

The Kris Kringle 5-Miler is Berks County’s most popular race!

This year’s race will take place on Sunday, December 29th, at 10 a.m.

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association.

The races starts and ends at the Berks County Agricultural Center at 1238 County Welfare Rd in Leesport.

The countdown is on! Just 2 months until the Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run, and we can’t wait to see you there!

Aiming for a new PR? Just ready to run off those holiday cookies? No matter your goal, this festive race is the perfect way to spend time with friends and family.

Plus, you’ll be supporting the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association.

Register today and spread the word!

Lock in your bib and your hoodie before the price jumps on 12/4!

Folks, that’s like $5/mile.

You can’t beat that!

Pull the trigger now before the price goes up!

Sunday, December 29, 10 a.m.

Berks Agricultural Center

The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club is happy to invite you to the 38th annual Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run on Sunday, December 29th!

Looking to squeeze one last fun event in over the Christmas break? This race is always a family favorite, with proceeds benefiting the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Association. So grab your friends & family and close out 2024 with us!

Course: The course features a mix of road and easy trail sections through Blue Marsh and the Union Canal Trail.We’ll be running counter-clockwise this year. Strollers and walkers are welcome. Dogs are not permitted at this event. 

Registration Fees: ALL registration fees are RACE ONLY 

• $25 per runner through December 3, 2024
• $30 per runner from December 4 to December 15, 2024 at midnight
• Day-of registration: $30 (hoodies will not be available for purchase)
• ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 15th at 11:59PM EST

Option to add a hoodie for an additional cost during checkout.

Hoodies: 

• This year’s hoodie will be Dark Heathered Green, as voted on by you! You can get a sneak peek when you go through the registration process. 
• Hoodies are not included with the race registration cost but can be added to your order during the checkout process for $18 until December 3, 2024
• Deadline to order: December 3, 2024
• Must be picked up at the race; no holds. No additional hoodies will be sold at the event.

Race Day Info:

• Registration: 8:30 AM  |  Race Start: 10:00 AM
• Same-day registration will be available at $30 per runner (no hoodie option)
• Leave your doggy pals at home, please. No dogs permitted at this event. 

Awards:

• Overall: Top 2 male and female (not eligible for age group awards)
• Age Groups: Top 3 male and female in 5-year brackets from U14 to 69, plus a 70+ category
• Top High School Teams: Teams in Open (all male or mixed) or Female (girls only) divisions. XC scoring used (lowest point total wins).This will be the last year for the team competition due to low participation. 
• **NEW THIS YEAR!**: Awards for the oldest male and female finisher

Weather: In case of inclement weather on race day, updates will be sent to the email address used for registration. 

Keep up with the latest updates and race fun by joining our Facebook Group: Kris Kringle 5 Mile Run

The deadline to order a hoodie and register with early-bird pricing for the 2023 Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run is 11:59PM EST on 12/3. After that there is a $5 price increase for race registration and hoodies are no longer available.

Volunteers needed!

Seasons Greetings Pacer Friends! It’s that time a year again and we are looking for volunteers for our Kris Kringle Race on Sunday, December 31st. Registration opens at 9 am with a start time of 10 am. We are hoping to have all of our volunteer spots pre-assigned with confirmation distributed via email the week leading into race day. Please email Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com if you are able to help. Please include your job preference and any time restraints. We sincerely appreciate your help and could not do this without you!

Set- Up on Friday, December 29th at 10:00 am – Noon  2-3 additional people

Registration – arrive at 8:30 am – 7 spots

Parking – arrive at 8:30 am – 5 spots

Course volunteers arrive at 9:15 am. We need you to check in at the 4H and have time to get to your assigned spot. 18 spots

Course Sweeper – Arrive 9:30 am – This is walker friendly so please plan on walking the course.

Kitchen and Cleanup – arrive 10 am should be done by noon – 5 spots

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.