A Call for Volunteers from the Youth Programs Director

There are two youth specific races each year that the club is involved with, both of which take place during the third week of October.

One is an actual PPAC event, called the FALL RUN OFF INVITATIONAL, and is a junior high (7th and 8th grade) 2-mile cross country race. It was designed to be a copy of the Berks County senior high XC conference run and all of the teams from only those Berks County school districts who offer a junior high cross-country program are invited. This will be the 14th year of holding this event which averages about 240 kids each year. This event takes place on Saturday, October 22, 2022 at the Reading Fairgrounds, starting at 7am, and is usually done by 11am. Tasks include parking and set up from 7 to 9, and course marshaling, finish line management, and clean up from 9 to 11. Most volunteers stay for the whole thing, but many only stay for 2 hours depending on their schedule; either is a big help to us.

The other is the BCIAA (Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association) high school cross country conference run and takes place on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, from 3pm to 5:30pm at Kutztown University. My wife, Gwyn, and I direct this race and one of our responsibilities is to recruit 12 to 18 volunteers. Each year, we approach club members first, as we see this as an excellent opportunity for community outreach and to show those outside of our circle what we do. This will be our 8th year of directing this race and the Pacers have come through with not only providing almost 100% of the needed volunteers, but also executing the race flawlessly and professionally.

Both events have been a huge success in terms of PR and community outreach for the club. If you can help out at either event, give us a shout!

Tom Chobot

484-269-2889

Chobot7957@msn.com

33rd Annual Shiver Series Just a Couple Months Away!

The 33rd annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K is quickly approaching. The first one is Dec 11th, at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.; both races start at 10:00 a.m. If you can’t run all 4 of them, run 3, run 2, or run 1.  

Runners can register online at Pretzel City Sports or by mailing the app and a check; we will also have race-day registration. Apps can be printed from the Pacer website.  Pre-registration deadline is 11/18. Instead of another race shirt, we are offering a knit hat and gloves. Each race includes a post-race buffet of soup, pretzels, and snacks.  

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.  Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Kris Kringle 2022 – Registration is now open!

I know it’s only September, BUT registration is now open for the 2022 Kris Kringle 5-miler!

This year’s race will be on Saturday, December 31st and will travel in a counterclockwise direction. Yes, it is normally held on a Sunday. However, this year the prior Sunday is Christmas Day, and the following Sunday is New Year’s Day. When this happens, the race is held on a Saturday.

Price increase will go into effect at midnight on 12/1. Don’t delay, head on over and sign up for this race to guarantee your hoodie. 

 REGISTER ONLINE NOW – OR – PRINT MAILABLE RACE APPLICATION

Join the Kris Kringle Facebook Event Page for updates. Share the event with your friends & family.

Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you on race day!

Race Directors,

Lisa Domeshek, Michelle Henry, and Polly Corvaia

Getting Ready for Shiver ’22-’23

Dates:  2nd Sunday:  Dec 11th, Jan 8th, Feb 12th, March 12th 

Time:  10:00 a.m.

Location:  Jim Dietrich Park  

Apps have been mailed by Pretzel City Sports and can be found online by clicking HERE.  Pre-registration is only available for the series; however, we will have race day registration for both the series and individual races. Online registration, for the series, can be found at www.pretzelcitysports.com. New this year: we are offering a knit hat and gloves instead of a shirt with registration. Once we make a final decision, we will post pictures on the Pagoda Pacers Discussion Group Facebook page.

Each race includes a post-race buffet of soup, pretzels and snacks. End-of-year party includes a hot/cold buffet, lots and lots of door prizes, and 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 33rd season!!!!!!

Race Directors,

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Oley Cow–It’s Almost Fall!

Have you noticed that the leaves are falling already? The dry weather we are experiencing is prematurely kick-starting autumn. I would ask you to “do a rain dance” and buy us time to extend foliage season until November 5 when the 28th Annual Oley Valley Country Classic 10-Mile and 5k Run will take place, but I just don’t think there is anything we can do to ameliorate the effects of this drought. As much as we love sunshine and the hot weather, the lack of rain has made an impact on what a beautiful Pennsylvania fall season can look like. We will hope for the best!  Don’t let this be an excuse for not running Oley this year. This event is going to be great weather or not (see what I did there); the leaves will still be hanging on to their beautiful crimson, orange, and yellow colors, shining against the backdrop of a never-ending blue sky…or we’ll have bare-naked winter trees against that same sky.  

The race begins and ends at the Oley Fairgrounds in Oley, PA. There is plenty of parking at the Fairgrounds, and the indoor (and outdoor) facilities provide ample space for pre-race camaraderie and post-race commiserating. (Or the other way around??) The venue is really a comfortable place to host a race. We look forward to seeing you come hang out for the morning and run a 10-mile loop or our “junior” Oley Valley 5k, which is a great course too! The rolling-hill, 10-mile course does take you past some pretty farm country, and you may grab a glimpse of some cows or horses, the occasional hen, maybe a cat, dog, squirrel, or beaver. The sights are amazing, so look around and take in all the nature.  

Four aid stations will line the course with water and Gatorade, all sponsored by the RRCA (Road Runners Club of America). This year’s event has been recognized as part of the RRCA Eastern Regional Championship Series, which means extra hardware for the fastest and by age group. 

The proceeds from this event will benefit the Oley Ambulance Association and the Pagoda Pacers Scholarship fund. We also want to thank our sponsors: Grand View Financial Partners, Fleetwood Footcare, and Gallen Insurance for their generosity. 

This year’s awards will be provided by local glass artist Maggie Gallen. Race shirts will be provided by Sneaker Villa, and all your potato chips will be provided by Dieffenbachs—one potato two potato!

There will also be post-race soup and “too-late” carb-loading after the race, along with the awards presentation.    

Event timing provided by Pretzel City Sports

If you prefer not to run the event, please reach out to a race director for a volunteer position. We need plenty of help on this day! Our race directors are Len Burton (leonardeburton@gmail.com) Barry Goodhart (barrygoodhart@gmail.com)

Follow us on FB: OleyValleyCountryClassic10MileAnd5kRun

Instagram: OVCC10M

Blues Cruise ’22 a Month Away

Blue Marsh Lake
  • We will run in a clockwise direction this year. It’s like a whole new race! We haven’t had the opportunity (Thanks Covid!) to run in a Clockwise direction since 2018. In my opinion, this direction is easier. You get the hills out of the way early in the race. The “flat” side comes in the last half of the race.
  • Your donations at work! We expect to have a section of the course between miles 19-20 reworked by Dave’s Dirt Sculps by Race Day. The money donated by you will go directly to updating this section of the trail. Over the years, this section has seen a lot of erosion. The repairs to this section will cut down the grade to protect against future erosion and give runners a better view. Thanks for your donations!! 

Have questions on the course this year? Check out our website for specific information. Click this link: Blues Cruise 50k Course Information

That Blues Cruise Swag!
2022 Blues Cruise Microfleece by RUSeen
This year’s swag is a micro fleece, quarter zip jacket with the Blues Cruise logo on the left side and the Pagoda Pacer logo on the back. Purchased and manufactured locally at RUSeen Reflective! Check out our Facebook page for updates like these, as well as other announcements on this year’s Cruise!
2022 Finisher Medal

NOT RACING? VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Please let me know if you can volunteer for the Blues Cruise 50k on Sunday, October 2nd. If you would like to help, please e-mail me at

 dgovern1@comcast.net.

It takes an army of volunteers to make a 50K run smoothly! Without volunteers this race doesn’t happen! So Please let me know if you can help.

We are in need of setup in the morning, parking help, registration help, photographers, post race food and cleanup/packing the trailer back up. Once you e-mail me you can tell me which task you prefer. I will try to assign you that task. I may have to assign you to another task so please be open to that possibility.

Thank you!

Daniel Govern

Register by June 8 to “Run for the Ages” at Nolde Forest!

Run For the Ages 10K Trail Chase

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Held in beautiful NOLDE FOREST!

Rolling, age-graded start begins at 8:30 am

This is quite the bargain for a race entry of only $30! However, the reduced registration price deadline is rapidly approaching. You have until Wednesday, June 8, to get the lower price and guarantee swag for the Sunday, June 26, 2022 race. After that, the entry will go to $35 — with no swag guarantee.

Run For the Ages 10k is run on the trails and service roadways in beautiful Nolde Forest near Reading, PA. The age-graded start gives any age-group competitive runner a chance to win the race outright.

The first 10 overall finishers get Nolde Forest Pottery plates, and Chester County Running Store certificates go to the top three finishers.  Top age-group medals will also be awarded.

We do allow walkers. Same entry fee and swag as runners, but just not eligible for awards due to an earlier start time of 8 a.m., which will provide ample time to finish with the running participants. *If you are thinking of walking the course, please contact the race director prior to race day. 

A portion of the race proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Nolde for park projects and improvements.

This year’s swag is a cool travel picnic blanket. It’s guaranteed to the first 100 registered; after that, availability will be based on inventory left for re-orders. Get registered to guarantee yours!

2022 Charlie Horse & Dirty Pony Just Weeks Away

When: Sunday, May 29th

Registration and Packet Pickup: 7:15 a.m.

Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon starts at 9:00 a.m.; Dirty Pony 5k starts at 9:15 a.m.

Start and Finish: Sleepy Hollow A.C., 482 Westley Rd, Mohnton, PA 19540

More race info at: https://www.pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Charlie-Horse-Half-Marathon.aspx

Register at: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=92435

Race proceeds benefit Special Olympic of Berks County

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Would you like to captain an aid station? Would you like to help out in some other way?

Please contact Shaun Luther at charliehorsedirector@pagodapacers.com.