Tag: Run for the Ages

Run for the Ages Is on Father’s Day (6/15/25) This Year!

by pagodapacers

Race directors Blair Hogg and Kristen Rothenberger would like to invite you to make your way to beautiful Nolde Forest this Father’s Day in order to race or volunteer at the club’s unique “age-graded” 10k trail chase! You can also do both!!

The race will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 15 at Nolde Forest (2910 New Holland Road, Reading, PA).

You can register and/or sign up to volunteer via UltraSignup. Click the button below to do it now!

Register or volunteer

race info:

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 a 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 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, each following wave will start, based on 5-year age groups, working back toward the younger (faster?) folks. Wave starts bounce 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 https://pagodapacers.com/Pacers.quarternotesys.com/media/Race-Apps/RFTA-2019-Head-Start-by-Age-Group.pdf.

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). Extra award to top Berks County XC runner.

REGISTRATION/ENTRY: Race-day registration will be available if race limit of 250 entries is not reached. Race fee is $35 with swag / $30 without until June 7, 2025, $35 after that until race day or capacity is reached, swag not included. We race in rain or other inclement weather. 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 scroll bar for postponement info if weather is hurricane-like 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. Swag will be determined, please follow our Facebook page for updates!

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

Triple Trail Challenge

This race is race #2 in both the Triple Trail Challenge and the Triple Trail Starter Kit. If you ran the Charlie Horse Half Marathon or the Dirty Pony 5k, this race is your next step to completing the challenge and earning your special swag!

Triple Trail Challenge 50.3 and Triple Trail Starter Pack

by pagodapacers

We’re doing it again.

The club is going to hold the Triple Trail Challenge 50.3 again for 2025.

Last year exceeded our expectations for how many people would attempt to run The Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon, the Run For the Ages 10K Trail Chase, and the Blues Cruise 50K Trail Ultramarathon.

We listened to some of the feedback from runners, and one of the changes we made for this year is to allow runners to register for all three races at once on UltraSignUp.com.

With one discounted registration, you will be registered for all three races in the Challenge.

Not ready to commit to all three races? Runners will still have the option of registering for each race individually, and (assuming they finish all three), they will still be able to complete the Challenge.

Also new for this year, the Triple Trail Starter Pack!

The Triple Trail Starter Pack is designed for runners new to trail running. The Starter Pack is also a three-race series that will introduce runners to a wide variety of trail races without having to commit to some of the long-distance challenges of the Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. The series starts with the Dirty Pony 5K, moves on to the Run For the Ages 10K Trail Chase, and finishes with the one of the Blues Cruise Relay legs. (Please note that the relay leg must be completed as a member of a registered relay team.)

Discounted registration for the whole series is also on the Triple Trail Ultrasignup page. And like the Challenge, runners do not have to commit to the series; the option of registering for each race individually is still available.

REGISTER FOR ALL THREE!
Register for Charlie horse or dirty pony
register for run for the ages 10k
register for blues cruise 50k ultra or 50k relay

Inaugural Class of Triple Trail Graduates!

by pagodapacers

Congratulations to the 20 runners–including 5 Pacers–who completed the Inaugural Triple Trail Challenge 50.3. These trail warriors started with running the Charlie Horse Trail Half Marathon in May, then survived the steam bath that was the Run For The Ages 10K Trail Chase in June, and finally finished with a nice run-around-the-lake at the Blues Cruise 50k. These runners got to experience three very different trail races available from our club and received some sweet additional swag for their trouble.

The names:

Bryce Antle, Ben Ash, Danny Cabrera, Taylor Charles, Tyler Davis, David Evans, Rich Fotiades, Sheri Golembiewski (Pacer), Lisa Good, Julia Hager (Pacer), Rita Hall, Brittni Harris (Pacer), Jason Karpinski (Pacer), Tim Kirk, Aaron Kreider (Pacer), Margueritte Ngami, Jesse Rutledge, Megan Sheriff, Forest Williams, Lisa Zwierzyna

the faces:

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!

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

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).

Run for the Ages 2023 Recap

by pagodapacers

The Pagoda Pacers’ Run For The Ages Trail Chase was held on June 25. The race draws nearly 200 runners to Nolde Forest and features an age-graded start, where the older age groups start early and the younger, faster runners have to catch them through the hilly trails of the park.
The race supports maintenance and improvements at the park, and, through the Friends of Nolde group, provides a donation to this effort.
Race directors Donna Hey and Blair Hogg presented the check to the Friends of Nolde at their monthly meeting on September 7. Many Pacers enjoy running the trails at Nolde, and we are pleased that we can give back to the facility by holding this race. 

Front row: D. Hey, Jennifer Stinson – Friends of Nolde President, Brent Erb – Nolde Forest Chief Ranger, B. Hogg

Back row: Friends of Nolde volunteers, several of whom helped on race day

Mark your calendar for next year’s race!

The 2024 Run for the Ages Trail Chase will take place on Sunday, June 30th!

Price Increase Coming Up for Run for the Ages 10k Trail Chase!

by pagodapacers

Run For the Ages 10K Trail Chase

Sunday, June 25, 2023

Held in beautiful NOLDE FOREST!

Rolling, age-graded start begins at 8:30 a.m.

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 7 to get the lower price and guarantee swag for the Sunday, June 25, 2023 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.

Fastest overall runner gets a super cute Nolde Forest Pottery turtle, and the first 10 overall finishers get Nolde Forest Pottery plates. Fleet Feet Running Store certificates go to the top three finishers and 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. 

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

This year’s swag is a cool pair of turtle and hare socks which are available in 3 sizes. Swag is guaranteed to the first 150 registered (and we are already half way there). After that, availability will be based on inventory left. Get registered to guarantee yours!

Click here for print registration

Click Here for online registration

Run for the Ages 10k Trail Chase Will Knock Your Socks On

by pagodapacers

Run for the Ages -where anybody might win the race!

Come out for a quite different kind of trail race on Sunday, June 25, 2023!

Run For the Ages has an age-graded start. Top age group performers have a legitimate shot at the overall title. 

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 back toward the younger (faster?) folks. Wave starts will bounce back and forth between sexes, as the handicap derived from the World Masters Association dictates.

Even if you aren’t out to win, the race is run on challenging (yet very runnable) trails in beautiful Nolde Forest, has great schwag (this year it’s socks), and virtually no bottle necks. Challenge your families and coworkers to come out and compete on a “level” playing field.

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

Run For the Ages is held annually in BEAUTIFUL NOLDE FOREST – READING, PA with a portion of the proceeds going to the Friends of Nolde Forest, a non-profit group helping to maintain Nolde Forest.

Use the below QR code or visit: https://www.pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Run-for-the-Ages-10k-Trail-Chase.aspx for more information or to register.

USATF-MA sanctioned race

Donna Hey, race director

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

by pagodapacers

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!

REGISTER NOW!