Shiver #2 Only Days Away!

The first Shiver of the ’22-’23 series is in the books! Race day lived up to its name –off/on rain with temps in the low to mid 30s. As always, we thank the volunteers and the runners who came out to support us!!! The volunteers and runners are who make this race a success!!! 131 runners completed the 5K, with 64 completing the 10K. Results are posted on both our website and Pretzel City Sports’ website. 1st male and female in the 5K were Daryl Weaver (17:34) and Cassandra Miller (21:01). In the 10K, our 1st male and female finishers were Brandan Shearn (35:52) and Mikaela Smith (42:49).

Now we are ready to move onto race #2 on Sunday, Jan 8th.  We need RUNNERS!!!! We need VOLUNTEERS!!!!! Come out and help us get our numbers back towards pre-Covid.  

If you have never run this race or maybe you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us and maybe reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages! The race is at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Township. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m.; both races start at 10:00 a.m..  

Please remember to only complete the registration form ONCE during the series. As we have done in the past, we will have 3 separate areas for registration. I know you have all heard this before, but trust me, we will still have runners (including Pacers) who will complete a form for each race. We calculate the series results by bib# so each runner will have the same bib# each month. Obviously if a runner completes more than 1 application, he/she will have more than 1 bib#. 

  1. Pre-Registration is in the front room, for those runners who have paid for the entire series. 
  2. For those runners who are paying for each race, individually, and who ran in December, registration is in the 2nd room, at the table marked  “Post-Registration Single Race Entry.” We have a number with a label with your nameNo need to complete a new registration form.  If you do, there is the potential of being recognized as a different runner when it comes time to calculate the series results. If any information needs to be changed, just let them know when you get your number; no need to complete a registration form with the changed information.
  3. For those runners who have not registered for the 2022-2023 Shiver, registration is in the 2nd room at the table marked “Post-Registration.” When completing the registration form, if you have paid for the series, please circle YES; otherwise, we will expect you to pay again at the remaining races.  

A few other notes.  

  1. On the registration form, we ask for your email address so that you will be included in any future emails we send regarding the remaining races for this series and for future series. We ask for your mailing address so that applications for future races can be mailed to you. It is certainly your choice as to whether you provide us with either or both of these, but it does help with keeping our runners in the loop.
  2. Because of the rental agreement we have for the farmhouse, requiring us to leave the farmhouse by noon, we ask that runners who complete their first loop in over 45 minutes NOT go out for the 2nd loop.  

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!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Shiver ’22-’23 Just Days Away!

Come out and join us for the 33rd annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K!

The first one is December 11th at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., both races start at 10:00 a.m.

Pre-registration is only for the series. Race day registration is available for the series or individual races. Runners can pre-register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com until midnight on the Wednesday before the race, or by mailing the app and a check.

New this year – we are offering a knit hat and gloves instead of a shirt with registration. Register early to guarantee a hat and gloves while supplies last!!

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!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

Shiver by the River Series Set to Begin Next Month

The 33rd annual SHIVER by the RIVER 5K & 10K is NOW.  The first one is Dec 11th, 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.  

Runners can register online at www.pretzelcitysports.com or by mailing the app and a check.  Plus, we will have race-day registration.  Pre-registration deadline is 11/18.  New this year – we are offering a knit hat and gloves instead of a shirt with registration.  Register early to guarantee a hat and gloves while supplies last!! Look for a picture on the Pacer Facebook discussion page.    

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!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja

The Fall Run Off Junior High Cross Country Invitational and BCIAA Cross Country Conference Run

Race director’s report by Tom Chobot

As part of our community service and outreach initiatives, the Pacers are involved in 2 cross country events each year during the third week in October. We do this with the goal of promoting interest in distance running among the youth of Berks County.

The first is the BCIAA (Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association) Conference Run on October 18th at Kutztown University and involves about 300 high school runners from 16 Berks County school districts. Gwyn and I have directed this race for 8 years, and each year we start with the Pacers for recruiting volunteers, who have always come through for us. Each year, we receive plenty of compliments from coaches, officials, and parents on how stellar our race staff executes the race. One official said, “How appropriate it is that the largest running club in the county manages the county XC championship.” Gwyn and I wish to thank those who offered their time to course marshal, direct traffic, and manage the finish line area. 

The second is an official Pacer event, and it is supported, financed, and presented entirely by the club and its membership. It is officially called the Fall Run Off Invitational, but the kids call it the junior high ( 7th and 8th grades) county championships because the field is made up of around 200 runners from the 15 Berks County public school districts who have a junior high cross country program. The coaches, parents, and even the kids tell us each year that this is much more than just another race. It is their “big dance” and the highlight of their season. This was the club’s 14th year presenting the race, which was held at the Reading Fairgrounds on October 22nd. Gwyn, Phil, and I are grateful beyond words for the unending support for this event by the club and its members. 

I might add that both events provide far reaching and effective PR and community interaction for the club as well. As the leaders of the local running community, this cannot be overstated. Well done, Pacers!

Oley Valley Country Classic on Saturday, November 5th

Race-day registration will be open with shirts while they last!! 

Great looking awards! Let’s hope some leaves hold out to create a picturesque run for you!

Jakes of Mt Penn Food Truck will be on site making breakfast sandwiches and hot dogs.

Come out and volunteer and cheer on all the runners!

If you want to help out, or if you have any questions, email race director  leonardeburton@gmail.com or barrygoodhart@gmail.com.

See you real soon! 

Kris Kringle ’22: Beat the Price Increase!

This year’s race will be held on Saturday, December 31st. “Why Saturday?”, you ask. Well, while the race is traditionally held on the last Sunday in December, this year the last Sunday is Christmas Day. When this happens, the race moves to the last Saturday in December – December 31st!

Get those registrations in before the price goes up! 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

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