Tag: Races

Cool Swag (while it lasts) for “Run for the Ages” 10k Trail Chase

by pagodapacers

race #2 of the “Triple Trail Challenge” on June 30, 8:30am, Nolde Forest

Come out for the only trail race with an age graded start (that we know of) on the east coast. Top age group performers have a legitimate shot at the overall title. Even if you aren’t out to win, the race is run on challenging yet very runnable trails in beautiful Nolde Forest with virtually no bottle necks. Challenge your families and coworkers to come out and compete on a “level” playing field.

Hey young speedsters: Here’s a chance to show off a little by passing the whole pack! 

What’s an age-graded start? Those who have more than a few gray 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 the next wave will start, based on 5-year age groups, working toward the 20-30 year-old (faster?) folks. Wave starts will bounce back and forth between sexes, as the handicap derived from the World Masters Association dictates. The actual handicap for each division is posted at http://www.PagodaPacers.com

The first 10 overall finishers get Nolde Forest Pottery plates; Fleet Feet gift cards go to the top three finishers. Top age group bling will also be awarded.

We are also offering cool swag (see below) to those who register early (while supplies last). 

Registration: $35 with swag or $30 without. Race caps at 200. Race-day registration available unless participant cap is reached.

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

click here to register!

2024 Charlie Horse / Dirty Pony Recap

by pagodapacers

by Kelly Ammon

The 27th running of the Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon and Dirty Pony 5k took place on May 26th without any major problems. The weather did get a little hot as the temperatures peaked in the high 80s, but nothing a few mud pits couldn’t fix for the runners. Even with the heat, every runner that made it to the start line also made it to the finish: 130 for the Charlie Horse and 39 for the Dirty Pony, respectively. 

Both races had near photo finishes. Cody Harris was able to secure first place male and Lindsey Gruber first place female in the Dirty Pony 5k. Brian Wiest crossed the finish line a mere second before runner-up Brandon Fogarty to take first place male in the Charlie Horse. Megan Kane took first place female and Jody Zegestowsky followed behind a few minutes later. 

The course changed slightly this year to bring the Charlie Horse distance closer to a true half marathon. Participants enjoyed the new addition, but, as tradition, everyone is just waiting for the last section. (Or they’re so excited for it, they jump straight to it and run the Dirty Pony.) Judging by the smiles and mud (so much mud!) plastered on the finishers’ faces, Charlie didn’t disappoint.

 On behalf of my co-race directors, Shaun and Libby, I’d like to thank everyone who came out to support the race and Special Olympics of Berks County. Whether you ran, cheered, or volunteered, we really could not have done it without the help of our Pacer community. 

See you on the trails 🤙🏻

Kelly

PS: Anyone who completed the Charlie Horse Half is officially one third of the way through the Triple Trail Challenge! It’s not too late to sign up for Run for the Ages (June 30) and Blues Cruise (October 6).

Charlie Horse & Dirty Pony Set for May 26, 2024!

by pagodapacers

Mark your calendars: Sunday, May 26th is this year’s date for the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon and the Dirty Pony 5k at Sleepy Hollow Athletic Club in Mohnton, PA.

The last day to pre-register online is 5/23. Day-of registration will be available starting at 7:30 AM. If you haven’t run the race in a while, please note that we are making some course changes that have added a bit more trail in beautiful Brecknock Twp.

And if you aren’t feeling up to running the races, we are always looking for volunteers. Please sign up for volunteering by clicking the “Volunteer tab” at the race page on Ultrasignup.com. 

And new for this year, the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon is the first race in the new Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. Complete the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon, the Run For the Ages Trail Chase 10k, and the Blues Cruise 50k to qualify for extra goodies and bragging rights! Runners completing these three races will get some sweet running swag at the Blues Cruise finish line. No special registration required–just sign up for all three races.

register now!

Race Director Internship

by pagodapacers

This initiative is a new way for club members to help with our races. It doesn’t require the commitment of being a Race Director, but it is more involved than typical race-day volunteering.

The club is looking for people to assist the existing race directors. Participants will get a look at the details of how a race is managed, and the Race Directors can possibly offload some of their tasks. (It’s essentially an internship–unpaid, but potentially fun and eye-opening.)

This program is something new for the club, and we haven’t defined exactly what shape this will take. We would like to start by identifying interested people. We will follow that with discussions to match the interns’ availability with the Race Directors’ needs. We don’t expect the interns to initially be tied to one race.

If you would consider participating, please send an email to president@pagodapacers.com.

Shiver ’23-’24 Recap

by pagodapacers

The 34th Shiver by the River is complete!!!! We had 469 individual runners, with 202 runners completing the series. In looking at all of the months, our fastest runners for the series were Samuel Good (16:35 5k, Feb race); Ty Diaz-Cruz (19:49 5k, Feb race); Jonathan Thrush (33:42 10k, Dec race); Amy Stoltzfus (38:35 10k, March race). This year we ran the course in the opposite direction (as a result of survey requests), and it was well received. We plan to switch the direction each year, so next year, we will run in the original direction. We thank every runner and volunteer who joined us!

In March we had 252 5k runners and 77 10k runners.  Congratulations to the top M/F 5k runners: Aiden Konetsky (17:08) and Ty Diaz-Cruz (20:02); and the top 10k M/F runners: James Weaver (35:02) and Jen Esposito (42:56).  

Results of each race, plus the series results, can be found on pagodapacers.com. Awards which were not picked up at the banquet are at Fleet Feet (705 Penn Ave, West Reading), and they can be picked up any time during normal business hours, until April 10th.   

As always, THANK YOU to all the Pacers who participated either by running, volunteering, or both! We sincerely appreciate all of our volunteers, whether you helped us at one race or every race; whether you have helped us for years, or this was the first time you volunteered for Shiver. Everyone was so willing to do whatever was needed to make this series another success! I don’t want to mention specific names for fear of forgetting someone, but volunteers, you know who you are and runners, you know who they are – you see so many of the same volunteers parking cars, at the water stop, at the same registration table, at the same intersection, or inside the farmhouse supplying soup and pretzels. THANK YOU!!!!!!!  

Thank you to Andrea Thrush who created and hid small rocks along the course, each with a Shiver by the River design. 

The awards ceremony was again held at the Temple Fire Company, in Muhlenberg Township.  THANK YOU to the following folks for the donation of door prizes:  

Joanne Patti 

Ron Horn & Pretzel City Sports 

Fleet Feet 

Victor Emmanuel 

Larry Drogo

Joy & Space (Yuriko Beaman)

Alecia Bradley

Janine Biedler

Giant Food Markets 

Sloan Manheim Pharmacy

Chic Fil’a

Kenzie Pantoja

Tiffany Pantoja

Georgine McCool

THANK YOU to our sponsor:  

Dieffenbach’s

Please contact Sue Jackson at shiverdirector@pagodapacers.com if any door prize donors were missed.

If anyone has any comments, concerns, or questions concerning the series, please feel to contact one of the race directors. We do value your input, and we do read the surveys, making modifications when possible.   

Once again, thanks for all of the Pacer support, both runners and volunteers!!!!!!!!!   We hope to see all of you next year.

Sue, Georgine & Tiffany  

Final Shiver of ’23-’24 Series Set for Sunday, March 10!

by pagodapacers

Thank you to the 163 5k runners, 76 10k runners, and the many volunteers who helped us have another successful Shiver by the River on February 11th!  

Congratulations to the top M/F 5k runners, Samuel Good (16:35) and Ty Diaz-Cruz (19:49); and the top 10k M/F runners, Jordan Slifka (36:38) and Jen Esposito (41:58).  Thank you to runners and volunteers who continue to support us!

Shiver #4 will be held March 10th.   Take note – this is the beginning of Daylight Saving Time!  

As always, we need more volunteers for this race. Specifically, we need 3 or 4 people willing to take results off of the board, so that the race directors can calculate results as soon as possible. We also need the usual help with parking, registration, on the road, at the finish line, cleaning up, at the water stop, and serving soup at the farmhouse. Anyone helping with registration should arrive at Jim Dietrich Park between 8:15 – 8:30; anyone helping during the race should arrive by 9:30; either way, look for Georgine, who can give you an assignment. Or reach out to any of the race directors prior to the race. 

However, for as much as we need volunteers, we would really like to see more PACERS run the race!  

The awards ceremony will be held immediately after the race at the Temple Fire Company, 4963 Kutztown Rd, which is about 3 miles from Jim Dietrich Park. This is the same location as the last couple of years. We are looking for more door prizes. If anyone can donate personally, or secure a door prize, please bring it to the 4th race.  Donations can be given directly to any of the race directors or dropped off at the front table where we are selling old swag, etc. It would be appreciated if you could let us know in advance if you will be able to donate. To be eligible to win a door prize, simply complete the survey at the awards banquet. A cold buffet, including a hot vegetarian item, will be served starting around 11:00, followed by door prizes and then the awards.  Due to the costs associated with the party, we will follow the guidelines we established a few years ago.   

The party is FREE to everyone who has either:

  1. Finished 3 or more races in this year’s series – please bring your race number from the 4th race to the party, it will be your ticket for free entry.  (There will be a sticker on your bib, indicating your eligibility.)  
  2. Assisted with any of the races.
  3. Paid for the series.  

We will be charging all others (including Pacers who do not fall into one of the above categories), a $13 fee to help cover some of our costs.

Remember, to help us maintain accurate results, DO NOT COMPLETE ANOTHER REGISTRATION FORM if you already ran this year. If you paid for the series, registration is in the front room of the house.  If you are paying race by race, we have a number for you at the ‘single race registration’ table in the 2nd room.  If you have not previously registered for the 2023-2024 series, registration is at a different table, also in the 2nd room.  

Thanks for all the support we have received! We hope to see many of you at the Shiver, either running or volunteering!!!!!

Sue, Georgine & Tiffany

Registration for 2024 Run for the Ages 10k Now Open!

by pagodapacers

The Pagoda Pacers 2024 Run For The Ages 10k Trail Chase will be held on June 30, 2024 at Nolde Forest.

This is one of the few races on the east coast that feature an age-graded start. What’s an age graded start, you ask? It’s simple: Age groups are started based upon anticipated race times determined by World Masters Athletics, thus giving the opportunity for runners competitive in their age groups a chance to win it all! Older female runners start first, followed by men and younger age groups based on a time handicap determined by the WMA. 

The race features the natural beauty of Nolde Forest, and is a trail race – the course varies from gravel roads to technical trails complete with roots and rocks to keep you on your toes. And plenty of hills to challenge your stamina and fitness!

The top 10 finishers will receive custom award plates from Nolde Forest Pottery, while each age group will have individual awards. And, as you are starting with your age group, you will know throughout the race where you stand!

register now!

For further details and updates, visit the race page on the Pagoda Pacers website and follow the race page on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/RunForTheAges. We hope to see you on June 30th!

Blair and Donna

Register for 27th Annual Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon!

by pagodapacers

2024 Registration is now open

Join us Sunday, May 26th, for the 27th running of the Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon to benefit Berks Co. Special Olympics. The majority of this race will be run on the Horse-Shoe Trail in Brecknock Twp, PA. It is well supported with 3 strategically placed aid stations. Packet pickup will begin at 7:30 AM Sunday morning. Day of registration will also start at 7:30 AM Sunday Morning. The Half-Marathon start will be at 9:00 AM in front of Sleepy Hollow Athletic Club.

And don’t forget the Dirty Pony 5K. This race gives friends and family a chance to experience part of the Charlie Horse course while you are doing the Half Marathon. The Dirty Pony will start at 9:15 AM near registration.

REGister now!

NEW THIS YEAR

Triple Trail Challenge 50.3

The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club have introduced a trail race series which starts with the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon. The second Pagoda Pacers trail race in the series is the Run for the Ages Trail Chase 10K in June. The final race in the series is the Blue Marsh Trail Ultramarathon 50K in October. Any runner completing all three races will receive a sweet bit of runner swag at the finish line at the Blue Marsh 50K. No special registration effort is required. Just sign up and complete all three races in the series. (Note: the Dirty Pony 5k is NOT part of this series.)

Click here for more Triple Trail Challenge Info

Become Legendary via the “Triple Trail Challenge”

by pagodapacers

Neil Armstrong. Jackie Robinson. Sandra Day O’Connor. Barack Obama. Kathrine Switzer. What do these people have in common? They were the first of their kind and now they’re legends. What if I said you could be a legend, too?

This year we’re excited to announce the inaugural Pagoda Pacer Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. To complete this challenge and gain celebrity and fame forever, one must complete the three following Pagoda Pacer trail races:

Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon* (May 26, 2024): The majority of this half marathon takes place on the Horse-Shoe Trail and benefits the Berks County Special Olympics. The later portion of the course always offers a *unique* little twist (iykyk), and it will definitely leave you with some good stories to tell.

Run For The Ages 10K (June 30, 2024): Let’s just say, this is NOT your average 10K. Its age-graded start times allow for a level of competition that you can’t really get anywhere else. If you’re an older runner, it’s your chance to show up those young whippersnappers. If you’re a younger runner, show everyone what it’s like to throw down some speed and not hobble to the car afterwards. 

Blue Cruise 50K* (October 6, 2024): Fantastic 50K for first-time ultra runners and seasoned runners alike. The course offers a beautiful, very runnable loop around Blue Marsh Lake and some of the best aid station volunteers (and food!) around.

After completing the challenge will the masses build a shrine in your honor? No. 

Induct you into the trail-running Hall of Fame? Nope.

Will it make your non-running coworkers care about your running stories? Also, probably not.

But will you get a sweet bit of extra special runner swag, bragging rights, and the chance to say you liked it before it was cool? Yes, absolutely! 

Registration for Charlie Horse and Blues Cruise is already open on Ultrasignup. Run for the Ages registration will be opening soon on Runsignup. Check out the Pagoda Pacers’ website, Facebook page, and any of the race pages for more details.

*Please note: in order to successfully complete the challenge, runners must finish the longer distance at Charlie Horse (not the Dirty Pony 5K) and the full Blue Cruise 50K (not the relay/team option).

Penultimate Shiver on 2/11/24

by pagodapacers

Shiver #3 is February 11th.   If you have never run this race, or if you haven’t run it for a few years, come out and join us! Reconnect with runners you haven’t seen in ages!  The race is at Jim Dietrich Park, in Muhlenberg Twp. Registration opens at 8:30 a.m., and both races start at 10:00 a.m.  

The January 5k had 163 finishers, while 74 runners completed the 10K.  1st male and female finishers in the 5k were Aiden Konetsky (17:10) and Ty Diaz-Cruz (20:26); with Andrew Brown (37:01) and Mikaela Smith (43:24) finishing as top male/female runners in the 10K.  As always, we thank the volunteers and the runners who came out to support us!!!

Because the rental agreement for the farmhouse requires us to leave the building by noon, we ask that runners who complete their first loop in over 40 minutes NOT go out for the 2nd loop.

Looking ahead, our 4th and final race in the series will be held on March 10th. The awards banquet will be at the Temple Fire Company immediately following the race.  It is free to all runners who completed 3 or more races, and free for volunteers. (There is a minimal charge for everyone else.) We are always looking for door-prizes to be given at the awards ceremony. If you own a business, or know someone who owns a business, or you would like to donate something yourself, we would be very grateful for merchandise, gift certificates, gift baskets, or any small item that a runner would appreciate. Door prizes can be brought to either of the next 2 races or the February Pacer meeting. We plan to send thank you notes to all of our donors, so if you donate or secure an item for us, we would appreciate knowing exactly what was donated and contact information for the donor.

We hope to see more Pacers at the remaining Shiver races. 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 Georgine in the farmhouse. Thank you in advance for your support!

Hope to see you there!!!

Sue Jackson, Georgine McCool, Tiffany Pantoja