Tag: race mates

Check Out “Race Mates” on March 16 at the IMABLE Bash!

by pagodapacers

pagoda pacers race mates program

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.

click here to register

Below is an overview of the program:

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.

Volunteers Needed for Blues Cruise and RaceMates

by pagodapacers

Two great volunteer opportunities are on the horizon!

The Pacers RaceMates program helps athletes from IMABLE to experience the completion of a 5k race. We use 2 or more volunteers to push each athlete in a “race chariot.” The final race of 2023 is September 10th at 630 Evans Ave in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. We race at around a 10-minute mile and are in need of 3-4 additional runners for this event. Please see our post on the Facebook Discussion Group and email Dale at Racematesrunning@gmail.com or contact Michael Whalen (bluescruiserd@gmail.com).

Blues Cruise is also in need of volunteers for the October 1st 50k trail race at Blue Marsh Lake. Volunteers can work as many hours as desired for this all-day event. Free t-shirts will be given to all who register to help. Go to  https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=100611 and click the volunteer tab. Choose an activity that interests you, and Elaine Cook (co-race director) will be in contact to discuss times and duties.

THANKS!

Michael Whalen:

Race Director, Blues Cruise 50K

Volunteer Opportunities for IM Able and RaceMates

by pagodapacers

Michael Whalen is coordinating race guides for adaptive athletes as part of the RaceMates program at a local event–the Bradley Mayer Memorial Running Man 5k–on August 14th in Wyomissing. If you are interested, please reach out to Michael at michaelwhalen102@gmail.com.

The IM ABLE Foundation is seeking volunteers to assist adaptive athletes participating in their GOT THE NERVE? triathlon being held in Lewisberry on Saturday, September 18th.

Volunteers are appreciated as members of a relay team or as a guide alongside an athlete throughout the race.

Thanks to a grant, there is no fee to participate as a member of a relay team or as a guide.

Volunteer opportunities are also available for the Philadelphia Marathon on November 21.

If you are interested in participating or learning more about these events, please email Brian Sutherland, IM ABLE’s development director, at brian@imablefoundation.org.

Race Mates in Birdsboro

by pagodapacers

On May 2nd, the Race Mates–a Pagoda Pacer / IM ABLE partnership–participated in their second race: the Birdsboro May Day 5k.

For this event, we had the honor of assisting four young men–Christopher Angstadt, Andrew Kutch, Jameson Parisi, and Collin Deckman–experience their first 5k.

Pacers Dale Wiest, Michael Whalen, Kris Jacoby, Matt Brophy, Steve Maguire, Joanne Van Horn, Bill Buchannan, and Liz Glass all volunteered as “chariot guides” to help these young men cover the distance and reach the finish line.

Lots of fun was had by all!

Coming up, we’ll be at the Pacers’ Grings Mill Run on August 1st, and possibly other races this summer.

If you’d like to volunteer with Race Mates, please reach out to Dale Wiest, Michael Whalen, or Kris Jacoby.

Dale: Wiesty58@gmail.com

Kris: sjacoby2@ptd.net

Michael: Michaelwhalen102@gmail.com