Pagoda’s 100th Anniversary Celebration starts 
with 2nd annual race to benefit city landmark

Reading, PA – The 2nd annual Pagoda to Home Plate Race will take place on Saturday, April 12 at 8:00 AM and serve as the official start to the City of Reading’s 100th Anniversary Celebration of the landmark. Proceeds from the race, which exceeded $2,000 in 2007, will again benefit the Pagoda Foundation. The race, which coincides with Reading’s Cherry Blossom Festival, is the first of several events geared towards celebrating the Pagoda’s centennial.

The entry fee is $30 in advance and $35 the day of the race. Participants may enter in advance online or by calling Joe Bialek, Reading Phillies Director of Sales, at 610-375-8469 x 203. All entries received prior to April 1 will receive a complimentary event t-shirt. All participants will receive a ticket to that day’s 2:05 PM Reading Phillies game vs. the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh). At the game, the first 2,000 adults (ages 18+), will receive a 100th Anniversary Pagoda Tribute Cap thanks to Berks Economic Partnership. 

The event is open to runners and walkers. The five mile course, shortened from a 10K in 2007, begins at the Pagoda. Participants will head down Duryea Drive, to Hill Road, to Perkiomen Avenue, to Penn Street. Runners and walkers will make a right onto 8th Street, then a left onto Court Street and a right onto 5th street. Competitors will bear left onto Centre Avenue and finish at home plate at FirstEnergy Stadium where the finish line will be broadcast on the video board to give spectators a close up view while a live band performs. 

Registration the day of the race begins at 6:00 AM at FirstEnergy Stadium. Shuttle buses will transport participants from the stadium to the Pagoda from 6:15 - 7:15 AM. 

There are plenty of opportunities for individuals to participate in ways other than competing. Volunteers are needed to assist with traffic, water stations, setup, tear down and registration. Volunteers will also receive a ticket to that afternoon’s R-Phils game. Prospective volunteers should also contact Bialek (610-375-8469 x 203, jbialek@readingphillies.com). 

This year’s race is being made possible by the Rotary Club of Reading, Klein Transportation, Redner’s Warehouse Markets, 69 News WFMZ TV, Pagoda Pacers Athletic Club, Reading Eagle Company, Pretzel City Sports and the R-Phils.

Along with being involved in the race and the cap giveaway at that day’s game, the R-Phils have additional plans to celebrate the Pagoda’s 100th anniversary. As was announced in November, the R-Phils’ new uniforms will feature a patch of the Pagoda on the left sleeve. The club plans to take its 2008 team photo at the historic landmark and use the shot as a giveaway for children at the team’s two 11:05 AM education days on May 21 and 22. On August 8, the building’s official date of existence, a celebration will take place at that night’s 7:05 PM game vs. Erie (Detroit). 

This information was posted on February 12, 2008