Tag: Races

Come out and join us for the 37th Shiver by the River Race Series

by pagodapacers

Dates: 2nd Sunday: Dec 13th, Jan 10th, Feb 14th, March 14th.  

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 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 at https://www.pretzelcitysports.com/onlineform1.php?id=1631.    

We are not mailing apps; however, we will accept mail-in registrations. Apps can be downloaded and printed by clicking HERE 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 long-sleeve tech shirt with a NEW design!!!!! Also new this year, THE SHIRT MUST BE PRE-ORDERED!!! There will be no extra shirts available on race day. Runners who want a shirt but do not plan to pre-register for the series must still pre-order either online or by mailing a registration form. Pre-ordered shirts will be available for pickup at any of the races. The deadline to order a shirt is Nov 13th.  

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.

Come out and join us for our 37th season!!!!!!

Race Directors,

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

2026 Berks County Junior High Cross Country Fall “Run Off” Invitational

by pagodapacers

On Saturday, October 24th, we are hosting our 18th annual Berks County Junior High “Run Off” Championships at Reading Fairgrounds. Sadly, Tom and Gwyn Chobot have stepped away from this event, so I am going to try to honor them, as well as “tweak” some things, in order to carry this very important event far into the future.

A few changes:

  1. Besides the boys’ and girls’ 7th/8th grade races, we will introduce a new .6 mile 6th grade open race (so 3 races instead of 2). The hope is that this will draw kids who might have looked at soccer or lacrosse towards what cross country is.
  2. Although this is, and always will be, a Pagoda Pacers event—I am looking (reaching out) for additional sponsors (in order to “lighten the load” financially for the club).  Fleet Feet, Redner’s, Tower Health, Clean Eatz, and possibly a few others are being asked to help make this race a bit more financially stable. (It has always lost money, and shrinking cross-country participation is really making me nervous about the future). This should be viewed as a “community race,” so we need to see if the community is willing to pitch in—even a little bit.
  3. Besides selling shirts, I am also looking at selling a cross-country-specific poster.  This will consist of all the participating schools’ mascots racing towards the finish line!!! (There will be limited printing just to gauge interest for the future).

What I am asking from the club is volunteers for race day. If you can be there by (at the latest) 7am-7:15am in order to help with parking, directing traffic, and registration (packet pickup)—as well as signing up the 6th graders (sign-up will be day of). Helping Ron Horn at the finish, awards, crowd control, and course cleanup/takedown. We have always been grateful for all the volunteers—and the more there are, the better off we are. Hope to have everything done and wrapped up by noon (ish). I am planning on using all of Friday to set everything up. I have been mowing the hill all summer—so I hope things will go smoothly (fingers crossed).

3 things I may need help with: The finish line blow-up banner. How do we collect $ from credit cards and such?

Any fabric banners that I can hang all over.

Thank you so much!!!! I can be reached at lechnerp@comcast.net or 610-478-1861 (leave a message). 

Phil Lechner

Time Running Out to Get Your 2026 Oley Shirt!

by pagodapacers

October 10th shirt cut-off and the next price increase are fast approaching!!!

There’s now 1 month to go until the Oley Country Classic 10M/6K. The shirt cut off is October 10th, and after that, you will not be able to get one, as no extra shirts will be available on race day.  Additionally, both the 10-mile and 6K prices will increase by $5 after the 10th. There’s still time to get a great deal on a fantastic mid-fall race and a super-looking shirt!!!

If you’re not looking to run that day, please consider volunteering, as we need over 30 volunteers and only have a handful so far. Please see the link below for volunteer information.

Race Date: Sunday 11/1/2026 

Location: 

Oley Valley High School 

17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547

Start Times: 

9AM for the 10-miler 

9:10AM for the 6K


New for 2026:

100% paved running surface for both distances!!! We got lots of feedback on last year’s “back-of- the-school tour” and changed the beginning of the course slightly to keep you on pavement for 100% of the course. 

Barry Goodhart Memorial 10 Mile Route: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6676023460

6K Route:  https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6676023460

Regular registration pricing and shirt option (until 10/10):

9/8 – 10/10 (regular): 

10-Miler: $30 without shirt; $48 with shirt

6K:  $25 without shirt; $43 with shirt 

10/11 – 10/28 (no shirt): 

10-Miler: $35; 6K: $30

Day of Race (no shirt): 

10Miler: $45; 6K: $40 

Awards: 1st & 2nd in 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.

Runsignup Page: https://runsignup.com/32ndannualoleyvalleycountryclassic10mile6ksundaynovember1

Paper Application (on Pretzel City Sports): 

https://www.pagodapacers.com/Pacers.quarternotesys.com/media/Race-Apps/26-Oley-Oley-Valley-Classic.pdf

More Race Information: 

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

Volunteer:

Volunteers are a vital part of every race our club presents. As this race is spread over 10 miles, with almost no overlap, we’re looking for about 30 people willing to help (road marshals, aid stations, registration, setup, and cleanup). In the past, we’ve had race participants volunteer for setup/registration and then go run the race or run the race and then help clean up. If you’re not planning on running, there’s plenty of help needed as either a visible road marshal or aid station volunteer. Every bit of help is greatly appreciated by Danny & Jennifer. All the volunteer spots are listed via the link below:

32nd Annual Oley Valley Country Classic 10 Mile & 6K Run – RRCA Regional Championship Volunteer Registration

Registration Now Open for ’26-27 Shiver by the River Race Series

by pagodapacers

On-line registration for the 26-27 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 13th, Jan 10th, Feb 14th, March 14th.  

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 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.  

We are not mailing apps! However, we will accept mail-in registrations. Apps can be downloaded and printed from the PPAC website or can be picked 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 long-sleeve tech shirt with a NEW design!!!!! Also new this year, THE SHIRT MUST BE PRE-ORDERED!!! There will be no extra shirts available on race day. Runners who want a shirt but do not plan to pre-register for the series must still pre-order either online or by mailing a registration form. Pre-ordered shirts will be available for pickup at any of the races. The deadline to order a shirt is Nov 13th.

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.

Come out and join us for our 37th season!!!!!!

Race Directors,

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

2026 BCIAA High School Cross Country Championship

by pagodapacers

The Pagoda Pacers have a history of supporting the BCIAA High School Cross Country Championship at Kutztown University, providing volunteers to help with course marshalling and race support. 

The current race director has reached out to see if the Pacers would once again be interested in providing volunteers for this year’s championship.

The meet will take place Tuesday, October 20, at Kutztown University.

There will be two races—girls at 4:00 p.m. and boys at 4:45 p.m. Volunteers should arrive by 3:30 p.m. and park in the lot by the baseball and softball fields. Volunteers are expected to be finished by 5:30 p.m. at the latest.

The organizers are looking for at least 10 volunteers and would like to have this info ASAP to plan accordingly. If you’re available and would like to help out, please contact Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com.

Kris Kringle Is Turning 40!

by pagodapacers
🥳

The Pagoda Pacers’ Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run is back to celebrate its 40th birthday on Sunday, December 27th, and registration is officially OPEN! 

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

We’ve got something extra special for this milestone year: a brand-new swag item available ONLY this year, plus our beloved Kris Kringle hoodies with a redesigned logo. 

🎁 

Trust us, you’ll want to grab one of each. 

👉 Click here to register and find out all the details!

And there’s more to celebrate! Race Directors Lisa and Michelle were thrilled to stop by the Berks County Cross Country Coaches Meeting last Wednesday to present our 2025 donation of $3,676.20 to support local cross country programs.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who ran, volunteered (possibly twice!) and helped make this donation possible. 

♥️💚

Here’s to 40 years of Kris Kringle and many more! 

🎅🎄🏃‍♀️

-Lisa & Michelle 

Price Goes Up for Oley Valley Country Classic after Labor Day!!!

by pagodapacers

Labor Day is approaching fast, and so is our first price cut-off!!!

So far, registration has been well ahead of last year, as lots of runners have taken
advantage of the summer pricing. But this lowest price goes away after Labor Day. After
that, October 10th is the next price increase, and shirt availability will also go away.

Race Date: Sunday, 11/1/2026

Location:
Oley Valley High School
17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547

Start Times:
9AM for the 10-miler;
~9:10AM for the 6K

New for 2026:
100% paved running surface for both distances!!! We got lots of feedback on last year’s
“back of the school tour” and changed the beginning of the course slightly to keep you
on pavement for 100% of the course.

Barry Goodhart Memorial 10-Mile Route:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6676023460

6K Route:
https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6676024771

Summer early registration pricing and shirt option (until 10/10):
Pre 9/8 (summer):
10 Mile
$25 without shirt
$43 with shirt

6K
$20 without shirt
$38 with shirt

9/8 – 10/10 (regular):
10 Mile:
$30 without shirt
$48 with shirt

6K:
$25 without shirt
$43 with shirt

10/11 – 10/28 (no shirt):
10 Mile: $35; 6K $30

Day of Race (no shirt):
10 Mile: $45; 6K $40

Awards: 1st & 2nd in 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.

Runsignup Page:
https://runsignup.com/32ndannualoleyvalleycountryclassic10mile6ksundaynovember1

Paper Application (on Pretzel City Sports):
https://www.pretzelcitysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/26-Oley-Oley-Valley-Classic.pdf

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

Volunteer:
Volunteers are a vital part of every race our club presents. As this race is spread over
10 miles, with almost no overlap, we’re looking for about 30 people willing to help (road
marshals, aid stations, registration, setup, and cleanup). In the past, we’ve had race
participants volunteer for setup/registration and then go run the race or run the race and
then help clean up. If you’re not planning on running, there’s plenty of help needed as
either a visible road marshal or aid station volunteer. Every bit of help is greatly
appreciated by Danny & Jennifer. All of the volunteer spots are listed via the link below:
32nd Annual Oley Valley Country Classic 10 Mile & 6K Run – RRCA Regional
Championship Volunteer Registration

Register for Blues Cruise by 9/1/26 to Guarantee Swag!

by pagodapacers

Blues Cruise registration continues to go well. The guaranteed swag deadline is September 1, 2026. Online registration will close on September 28, 2026, at midnight. Race-day registration will be available, but race swag is not available for anyone registering after September 1. 

CLICK TO REGISTER

Our next group run will be August 15, Skinner’s Loop (6ish miles), with the option to add Ski Loop (13ish miles total). See our Facebook page for the event details. September’s training run will be Saturday, 9/12, running from the Lower Stilling Basin to Old Church Road. More details to follow on our Facebook page.

Michael Whalen, Elaine Cook

Race Directors, Blues Cruise 50K

bluescruiserd@gmail.com

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=134393

www.pagodapacers.com

Oley Country Classic Registration Is Open, and Discounted Registration Prices End on Labor Day!!!

by pagodapacers

Race Date: Sunday, 11/1/2026    

Location: Oley Valley High School 17 Jefferson Street, Oley, PA 19547

Start Times:   9AM for the 10-mile; ~9:10AM for the 6K

New for 2026:

Summer early registration pricing and shirt option (until 10/10):

Pre-9/8 (summer discount):

  • 10-Miler—$43 with shirt, $25 without shirt   
  • 6K—$38 with shirt, $20 without shirt

9/8 – 10/10 (regular): 

  • 10-Miler—$48 with shirt, $30 without shirt
  • 6K—$43 with shirt, $25 without shirt

10/11 – 10/28 (no shirt):

  • 10-Miler—$35
  • 6K—$30

Day-of-Race (no shirt):

  • 10-Miler—$45
  • 6K—$40  

Awards: 1st & 2nd in 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.

Runsignup Page: 32nd Annual Oley Valley Country Classic 10 Mile & 6K Run – RRCA Regional Championship

Paper Application (on Pretzel City Sports):  26-Oley-Oley-Valley-Classic.pdf

More Race Information: Oley Valley Country Classic – Pagoda Pacers

Run for the Ages on 6/28/26

by pagodapacers

A trail run for all ages!

The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club is excited to present of one of very few trail races on the east coast with an age-graded start. Race directors Blair Hogg and Kristen Rothenberger are experienced trail and ultra runners and long-time members of the Pagoda Pacers.

Top age group performers have a legitimate shot at the overall title. Even if you aren’t out to win, you can enjoy challenging yet very runnable trails in beautiful Nolde Forest with virtually no bottlenecks. Challenge your families, friends, and coworkers to come out and compete on a “level” playing field. The top 10 overall finishers in recent years have been a good mix of men and women in many different age groups.

What’s an age-graded start? Those who have more than a few grey hairs or have yet to hit puberty will get a head start based on age and gender. Typically, the oldest female wave starts first. Then, each following wave will start, based on 5-year age groups, working back toward the younger (faster?) folks. Waves start bouncing back and forth between sexes, as the handicap derived from the World Masters Association dictates. The youngest runners also get a head start. The actual handicap for each age division is posted at http://www.PagodaPacers.com.

More information about the race:

The top ten overall finishers, regardless of sex or age, plus the fastest uncorrected time, earn awards specially crafted by Nolde Forest Pottery. If participation numbers merit, medals are awarded to two fastest M and F in the following age groups: 12 & under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+. Gift certificates from Fleet Feet (West Reading) for overall top three: $50/$30/$20. Team Award for any group of 3 or more (you define family).

REGISTRATION/ENTRY: Race-day registration will be available if the race limit of 250 entries is not reached. The race fee is $35 and includes race swag. Swag guaranteed if registered by June 1st. After June 1st, swag is not guaranteed. We race in rain or other inclement weather. The race director reserves the right to delay the start of the race due to mega foul weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Check http://www.pagodapacers.com for postponement info if the weather is hurricane-like on race day. Award ceremony held at 10 am.

YOU GET: Two water stops, finish place posted immediately & results on Pretzel City Sports, UltraSignUp, and http://www.pagodapacers.com in 1-2 days. Follow our Facebook page for updates about race swag!

COURSE: A well-marked 10K course over the beautiful trails in Nolde Forest. VERY pretty and scenic with fewer ankle-busting rocks than most other Berks parks. You’ll scramble over some rocks and go off trail to get dirty, too. The race will start in front of the Environmental Education Building and head directly into the forest after minimal time on pavement. Most trails are wide enough for easy passing. The finish will be right near the start by the Nolde Mansion. A map of the course is on the Pagoda Pacer website and will be available before the race.

LOCATION: Race held in Nolde Forest, Cumru Township, Berks County, PA, just south of Reading, PA. The race will start and end near the Nolde Mansion. Note: Enter via Main Entrance, NOT the Sawmill Parking Lot!!

DIRECTIONS: 6 miles south of Reading, on PA Rt. 625 (New Holland Rd). 2 miles south of PA 724 and 3 miles North of PA 568. Address: Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, 2910 New Holland Rd. Reading, PA 19607

PARKING: Parking near the mansion is extremely limited. Please, please, please carpool and get there early! We will have volunteers directing you where to park to use every available space. Please follow their directions.

IMPORTANT NOTES: The Pagoda Pacers strongly discourage the use of headphones during any race. Also, parents: If your child is under 18 and wishes to run, you MUST be present for the duration of the race. You may also run (we encourage it!). In the unlikely event your child gets hurt, medical personnel can ONLY treat him/her with your permission. As this is a PA state facility, alcohol is prohibited. Follow our Facebook page for additional information at https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheAges

register now!

Triple Trail Challenge

Runners who already completed the Charlie Horse Half Marathon (or Dirty Pony 5k) should register for this race, along with the Blues Cruise 50k (or relay) if they want to be eligible for the Triple Trail Challenge (or Triple Trail Starter Pack).