Tag: Races

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

Next Shiver on 1/14/24

by pagodapacers

The first Shiver of the ’23-’24 series is in the books! Fortunately, temps were in the 40s, so when the sky opened, just as the race was starting, it was rain instead of snow. 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!!! 125 runners completed the 5K, with 64 completing the 10K. Results are posted on both our website and the Pretzel City Sports website.  1st male and female in the 5k were Aiden Konetsky (17:12) and Lissa Kutz (21:23). In the 10k, our 1st male and female finishers were Jonathan Thrush (33:42) and Jen Esposito (42:38).

Now we are ready to move onto race #2 on Sunday, Jan 14th.   We need RUNNERS!!!!  We need VOLUNTEERS!!!!!  

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 Twp. Registration opens at 8:30; both races start at 10:00. This year we are running in the opposite direction, and we received very positive feedback about the change. Come and check it out!

Another change this year is that we have re-opened online registration on Pretzel City Sports, so you can still preregister for the series, and not have to stand in line on race day. This also guarantees you the ’23-’24 swag.  

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 name. No 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 2023-2024 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 40 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 clean-up. 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

2024 Charlie Horse Set for May 26 — Registration Is Open!

by pagodapacers

Join us Memorial Day Weekend for the 27th running of the Charlie Horse Trail Half-Marathon or the Dirty Pony 5K 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 aided 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 the Dirty Pony will start at 9:15 AM.

register now!

New Race Series

The Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club have introduced a trail race series which starts with the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon (not the Dirty Pony 5k). 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 Blues Cruise 50k in October. Any runner completing all three races will receive a sweet bit of runner swag at the finish line at Blues Cruise. No special registration effort is required. Just sign up and complete all three races in the series.  

More information about the Charlie Horse can be found on the official race website. You can also follow the race on Facebook and Instagram!

Urgent: Hoodie Deadline for Kris Kringle Is 12/3!!!

by pagodapacers

The deadline to order a hoodie and register with early-bird pricing for the 2023 Kris Kringle 5-Mile Run is 11:59PM EST on 12/3. After that there is a $5 price increase for race registration and hoodies are no longer available.

register now! get your hoodie!

Volunteers needed!

Seasons Greetings Pacer Friends! It’s that time a year again and we are looking for volunteers for our Kris Kringle Race on Sunday, December 31st. Registration opens at 9 am with a start time of 10 am. We are hoping to have all of our volunteer spots pre-assigned with confirmation distributed via email the week leading into race day. Please email Michelle at mhenry.pacers@gmail.com if you are able to help. Please include your job preference and any time restraints. We sincerely appreciate your help and could not do this without you!

Set- Up on Friday, December 29th at 10:00 am – Noon  2-3 additional people

Registration – arrive at 8:30 am – 7 spots

Parking – arrive at 8:30 am – 5 spots

Course volunteers arrive at 9:15 am. We need you to check in at the 4H and have time to get to your assigned spot. 18 spots

Course Sweeper – Arrive 9:30 am – This is walker friendly so please plan on walking the course.

Kitchen and Cleanup – arrive 10 am should be done by noon – 5 spots

Get Ready to Shiver: First Race on 12/10/23

by pagodapacers

Date:  Sunday Dec 10th

Place:  Jim Dietrich Park

Registration: 8:30 a.m.

Race start:  10:00 a.m.

Swag:  Sports Towel measuring 11”x42” with a great design

Pre-registration is only for the series.  Race day registration is available for the series or individual races. 

Series runners can pre-register online NOW at Pretzel City Sports until midnight on the Wednesday before the race; you can also mail the app and a check.  

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.  Volunteers can either contact one of the race directors prior to race day or just show up on race day.  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 ’23-’24 Starts Next Month!

by pagodapacers

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

Runners can register online at Pretzel City Sports or by mailing a printed registration form and a check.

As always, we will have race day registration. Pre-registration deadline is 11/18.

The ’23-’24 swag is a 11”x42” sports towel. Register early to guarantee a towel while supplies last!!

Note – we did not mail applications this year; however, if needed, the app can be printed from the Pacer website or picked up at any race that is timed by Pretzel
City Sports.

New this year – we are running the course backwards from previous years!

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

A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Pacers who, once again, deliver with two championship cross country races in October

by pagodapacers

by Tom Chobot

Gwyn and I wish to thank the PPAC for their enthusiastic support of two major youth cross country races held in Berks County during the month of October.

Over 30 members took time out of their day to help out at the BCIAA Conference Run (high school) and the Fall Run Off Invitational (junior high) which combined, comprised 500 young Berks County runners. Many of the volunteers had previously run these races and saw this as an opportunity to give back to their sport. All seemed to enjoy being part of the future of our running community. 

Each year, we receive an abundance of compliments and gestures of appreciation from officials, coaches, and parents, and we make it clear that we can only do this with the support we receive from the Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club. This year was no different. We cannot overemphasize the importance and impact that the club’s contribution has had with these two races. Well done, Pacers!

What’s New at the 2023 Kris Kringle 5-Miler

by pagodapacers

The race directors like to highlight a couple changes we will be implementing this year:

Registration

  • Registration is now open!! We are doing online and same-day registration ONLY this year. Sorry, no paper applications. Don’t worry, we’re not charging you online processing fees.
  • Your race registration fee is for the RUN ONLY. You will have the option to add swag during the checkout process.
  • Registration link: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Leesport/KrisKringle5MileRun2023

We’re switching up the way we do SWAG. Don’t worry, we still have the hoodies. You guys seem to love those things! BUT, some people prefer a lower registration fee and no swag. That’s why this year we have swag and no swag options:

  • Hoodies are an add-on item at checkout during the race registration process. As mentioned, the registration fee is for the RUN ONLY. As you proceed to check out, you will have the option to add a hoodie for an additional cost, or bypass.
  • Deadline to order hoodies is 12/3/2023 (same day as the price increase). We will not be ordering extra, we are not extending the deadline, and we will not have any for sale at the race. We suggest registering ASAP to not miss out if this is something you really look forward to having each year.
  • All hoodies purchased must be picked up at the race prior to race start. No holds and no shipping.
REGISTER NOW!