Elissa Agar, an avid runner and manager at Keystone Running Store in Pottstown, looks forward to participating in lots of festive 5K events this time of year.
“I love doing a race for each holiday,” Agar said, referring to Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. “There are a lot of little events to look forward to.”
Last weekend she ran the Halloween 5K in Emmaus.
“The crowd support is infectious before the parade,” she said, referring to the crowds they get to run by since the run happens as people are involved while waiting to see the parade.
Best costume
In addition to prizes for best times per age group, the race also recognizes efforts for dressing up.
“They have best costume and best team costume,” she said of some of the creative awards. “One year I was an 80s dance party person and one year my son was Linus, I was Lucy and my husband was Charlie Brown.”
Another year she ran with a bunch of friends and they all dressed as different characters from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”
“It’s fun to do the run as a group,” she said.
Upcoming runs
Agar, who took up running in 2009 after hanging up her soccer cleats, has her sights set on some other upcoming runs she’ll be participating in that are taking place this month.
“Toss Your Turkey 5K is a popular one that gets about 600 to 800 participants,” she said, adding Keystone Running Store is a sponsor.
“The Oley Country Classic is also coming up and you get to see the rolling hills in the valley and the soup was amazing afterwards. It’s a really good group of people who show up to do it, so it’s a lot of fun.”
Year-round in Pottstown, Keystone Running Store offers a group run every Monday at 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. where those who meet run about 3 to 5 miles. The runs are free and open to the public. All you have to do is meet up at Keystone on High Street.
“A lot of our group runners also like hiking on weekends, so we have 15 to 25 who come out on Monday and two to 10 people on Saturdays,” Agar said.
Stay consistent with staying fit
As the weather gets chillier, training for and being inspired to participate in 5K events can help runners stay consistent with staying fit during the colder months.
“I am a social runner,” Agar said. “I like the camaraderie, seeing other people and getting fit.”
Small Business Saturday in Pottstown
Keystone Running Store, owned by Bill Ehrit and Chris Schmidt, will be participating in small business Saturday on Nov. 30. They’ll have in-store specials, snacks, and drinks.
“Will also have gifts with purchase and gift card specials,” Agar said.
Upcoming runs in November
Oley Valley Country Classic, Oley, 10-mile and 5K, Nov. 3, 3024
The Pagoda Pacers present the 30th running of the Oley Valley Country Classic 10-mile and 5K through Oley. Managed by one of Pennsylvania’s largest running clubs, this Pagoda Pacer event takes you over the hills and through a mostly flat road course through Oley, Berks County, during peak leaf-changing season. For more information, visit www.pagodapacers.com/Races-Results/Races/Oley-Valley-Country-Classic.aspx
Owen J. Robert’s Bubble Run101 5K and 1-mile walk, Pottstown, Nov. 9, 2024
All proceeds go towards the OJRHS Best Buddies Club which promotes social inclusion among students with disabilities and typically developing students. For more information, visit www.ojrrun101.weebly.com/
Toss Your Turkey 5K, Pottstown, Nov. 28, 2024
Proceeds will go to the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities for Feeding and Sheltering the Homeless, God’s Kitchen, Operation143, and Pottsgrove Athletics. For more information, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pottstown/8thAnnualTossYourTurkey5K
Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5K, Boyertown, Nov. 28, 2024
Hosted by the Wellness Council of Boyertown, a program of Boyertown Area Multi-Service, and is in memory of Cliff Reigner. For more information, visit www.runsignup.com/Race/PA/Boyertown/BoyertownTurkeyTrot
For more information on upcoming runs, visit Keystone Running Store, 200 E. High St., Pottstown, or visit www.keystonerunningstore.com
