Runners at the 10th annual Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K. PHOTOS BY LINDSEY SHUEY
Originally published in the Pottsville Republican-Herald on April 24, 2022.
POTTSVILLE - It all started as a joke.
Six or seven years ago (he can’t remember exactly), Pennsylvania college student Josh Wooten started to run in the annual Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K. He ran in costume as Lord Chesterfield, the 18th-century British gentleman and namesake of Yuengling’s Lord Chesterfield ale.
Josh Wooten runs as Lord Chesterfield.
Now living in Keene, N.H., Wooten returned to Pottsville Saturday for the tenth annual Lager Jogger, once again dressed as an 18th-century dandy complete with powdered wig.
“The people at the brewery are super nice,” he said, “and always friendly, and everyone laughs when they see the getup, so it’s a lot of fun.”
Mahantongo Street was thronged with runners and fans for Saturday’s Lager Jogger, which featured a race through Pottsville, live music, food, vendors and a costume contest.
Danette Troxell of Lehighton and seven of her friends were dressed as “Snow Flight and the 7 Drunks.” It was Troxell’s first time at the LagerJogger.
“I came for beer, the friends and the community,” she said, “because we can. Covid’s over, we survived it. Heigh ho, heigh ho, it’s off to drink we go.”
Andrea Saksek and her family and friends were dressed as “Pierogi Princesses.” They started running in the Lager Jogger in honor of Andrea’s uncle Paul Koziel, who died in 2017 and was proud of his Polish heritage.
“It’s just a great atmosphere,” said Saksek, of Cheltenham. “It’s very unique. It’s a really good time. And there’s beer at the end.”
The Lager Jogger raised money for Team Red, White and Blue, an Atlanta-based organization that promotes health and wellness activities for veterans.
“I absolutely love Pottsville,” said Jessica Reid, associate director of operations for Team Red, White and Blue. “I love the people, the community, the energy of this race. We love how Yuengling sponsors us and how they support this community.”
The run began on Mahantongo Street, and passed through West Norwegian Street and Howard Avenue before ending at the same place it began - the Yuengling Brewery.
“This race is a good opportunity for our organization to bring veterans out,” Reid said, “bring team members out, use physical activity to bring us together.”
The top male and female finisher each received a Yuengling eagle trophy, a bracelet from Murphy Jewelers, a pair of Hoka running shoes, a $100 Cabela’s gift card and a CK Running Trucking Hat.
Kyle Price of Milltown, N.J. won for the tenth year in a row, wirth a time of 18 minutes, 32 seconds.
Kyle Price celebrates in style after coming in first place for the tenth year in a row.
“I’m so excited,” Price said. “This year wasn’t too bad, the weather is nice. Those hills are always tough, though. The crowd is good, the people are great and it’s nice saying hi to Dick (Yuengling) every year.”
Even after ten years, winning is still exciting for him.
“I got three in a row,” he said, “I got five, and I thought ‘Let’s go for ten.’”
The top female finisher was Ryley Schwalm, a student and track and field athlete at North Schuylkill High School whose time was 20 minutes, 17 seconds.
Ryley Schwalm.
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