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
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.
Pre-registration is only for the series. Race-day registration is available for the series or individual races. Series runners can pre-register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com until midnight on the Wednesday before the race. You can also print and mail the app with a check. Apps can be printed from our website www.pagodapacers.com.
If you choose not to run the race, please consider volunteering. We need volunteers before the race – for parking; during the race – on the road, at the finish line and in the farmhouse; and after the race – for cleanup. We also need someone to sweep. Since we have a 40-minute cut-off for runners to start the 2nd loop, the sweeper will start running at 40 minutes and follow the last 10k runner; therefore, the sweeper can still run the 5k. To help us with volunteer assignments, we prefer that volunteers contact us prior to race day. If you have not already talked to one of us, please reach out to Georgine at Facebook or Instagram or gmmccool56@comcast.net.
If you can help prior to the race, please plan to arrive between 8:00 – 8:15 a.m. If you can help with the race itself, please arrive no later than 9:30 a.m. Look for one of the race directors somewhere around the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!
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
On Sunday, October 19, Charlie Horse race directors, Shaun and Kelly, along with founders and longtime race supporters, Charlie and Kate Crowell, presented a check for $1,625 to Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Every year Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon (and Dirty Pony 5k) donates its proceeds to support athletes in the Berks County area. We would like to thank all the Pagoda Pacers that volunteered, ran, or otherwise supported our race—we cannot do it without you!
Charlie Horse will take place May 24, 2026, so save it in your calendar and come out to support a great cause. We look forward to seeing you there!
Happy trails,
RDs Shaun and Kelly
Ps. Check out the thank-you note we received from Special Olympics PA below!
We wish to thank the membership for, once again, supporting this race for 17 years. We truly believe that this race has been instrumental as a community outreach endeavor in an effort to promote interest in distance running among the youth of Berks County. Everything starts with the youth, and we need to emphasize all the benefits of running including, but not limited to, the physical health benefits, the rise in self-esteem and self-confidence, and the fact that those who take care of themselves, tend to take care of the world around them. In other words, runners, by nature, tend to make the world a better place in their own unique way. Having each been running for more than 50 years, we have witnessed this enough to believe it with all our hearts.
This year’s race had 152 7th and 8th graders from 15 Berks County schools. Sadly, the numbers were down from an average of around 200 runners since the race’s inception. This appears to be a statewide trend, maybe even a nationwide one, as these young runners have more options and opportunities available to them. We don’t know what the solution is, but as a running community, at the very least, we need to be more aggressive in our efforts to attract young people to our sport which we know will enhance their quality of life for the rest of their life.
‘Nuff’ said.
Thank you to our Pacer volunteers, many of whom come out every year, and make the race a success, as well as make a great end-of-season celebration of these young runners’ cross-country experience. We might add that at the time of this writing, 15 of the 25 Berks County Senior High runners who qualified for the state championship meet, to be held on November 1, had run our race. This club is making a difference.
In addition to the junior high race, Gwyn and I have co-directed the high school Berks County Championship Run. Part of our responsibilities have been to recruit volunteers, and each year the Pacers have always stepped up. Even though this was our last year directing, the BCIAA (the governing body of Berks County scholastic athletics) has asked our club volunteers to return as they were impressed as to how well the Pacers orchestrate a running event. A feather in our cap for sure.
We are passing the torch, and hope the club continues to be involved in these worthwhile events which will shape the future of this organization, our sport, and the running community as a whole.
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!
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!!!
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.
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!
Dates: 2nd Sunday: Dec 14th, Jan 11th, Feb 8th, March 8th
Time: 10 a.m.; Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Jim Dietrich Park, Muhlenberg Twp.
Come out and join us for the best winter series in the area!! If you have never run a Shiver race, or it’s been a few years, this is a great reason for running through the winter, not to mention seeing runners you haven’t seen for years! If you are one of the many runners we see year after year, we look forward to seeing you again.
Online registration for the series is open and can be found via Pretzel City Sports.
We are not mailing apps; however, we will accept mail-in registrations. Apps can be printed from the Pagoda Pacers website or can be picked up at one of the many races timed by Pretzel City Sports. Pre-registration is only available for the series; however, we will have race-day registration for both the series and individual races.
This year’s swag is a great running waist belt!
Each race includes a post-race buffet of soup, pretzels, and snacks. The end-of-series party includes a hot and cold buffet, plus lots and lots of door prizes; overall awards and 5-year age-group awards. As always, this buffet is free to any runner who registers for the series or runs at least 3 races. (There is a nominal charge for all others.)
Gwyn and I have been members of the club for roughly 35 years. During that time, we have run and/or been involved in countless club races and club functions, and cherish every memory of every one of them. Moreover, the Pacers have become a second family to us, as we have been blessed to have formed a boatload of close friendships which, in our hearts, are indeed considered family. When we retired three years ago, we moved into the home where I grew up in Susquehanna County in Northeast PA. It was a shock at first, as we started with only a small handful of folks whom we knew here. However, little by little, we began getting involved in the local community, including establishing a kids’ fun run at a local community fair, starting a run/jog/walk club, and volunteer coaching with the local high school cross-country team. This brings us to the point of this article. It’s time to start cutting our ties with our Berks County involvements – a very difficult decision indeed.
In 2009, Phil Lechner, Gwyn, and I approached the club with the idea of hosting an all-county junior high cross-country meet which would mimic the Berks high school XC championship meet. The club instantly embraced the idea, and has continuously supported the race ever since. Additionally, Gwyn and I began to co-direct the high school championship race in 2014 and have approached the club for volunteers each year since, and the club has always come through.
This year will be our last for both. Most likely, Phil will take over the junior high race, and he will need lots of help. I plead to the club to continue this race as an official club event, and I wish to emphasize the importance of this event with respect to the future of our sport in the Berks area. Nearly every Berks County cross-country runner over the last 16 years has participated, averaging 200 runners each year. In terms of community service, this event has arguably given the club the greatest return on investment over that time frame.
The BCIAA will be looking for directors and volunteers as well for the high school race. Might be something to consider.
Letting go of these races is no easier than watching your child leave for college or the military, but when it’s time, it’s time. We will be asking for volunteers once more this year for October 14th at Kutztown U. and October 18th at the Reading Fairgrounds (email me at chobot7957@msn.com if you’re interested), and we hope to see many of you when we volunteer at Blues Cruise. As always, we wish our Pacer family all the best.
Online registration for the 25-26 Shiver by the River series is open and can be found at Pretzel City Sports!
As always, pre-registration is only for the series. We have day-of registration for the individual races.
Dates: 2nd Sunday: Dec 14th, Jan 11th, Feb 8th, March 8th
Time: 10:00 am; Registration opens at 8:30
Location: Jim Dietrich Park, Muhlenberg Twp.
Come out and join us for the best winter series in the area!! If you have never run a Shiver race, or if it’s been a few years, this is a great reason for running through the winter, not to mention seeing runners you haven’t seen for years! If you are one of the many runners we see year after year, we look forward to seeing you again.
Once again, we are not mailing apps! However, we will accept mail-in registrations. Apps can be printed by CLICKING HERE, or you can pick one up at any of the many races timed by Pretzel City Sports. We plan to also have copies at our monthly meetings
This year’s swag is a running waist belt.
Each race includes a post-race buffet of soup, pretzels, and snacks. The end-of-year party includes a hot and cold buffet, plus lots and lots of door prizes; overall awards and 5-year age group awards. As always, this buffet is free to any runner who registers for the series or runs at least 3 races. (There is a nominal charge for all others.)
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