Race 19 Preservation Bay, MA & LJ Bates Plumbing Teams 4 x 5km Handicap Preview

PCCCT Race 19

Last year the PCCCT – Running Club introduced handicapped relay events into the season programme for the first time. There was a 4 x 10.55 km team relay run in conjunction with the marathon and then a 2 x 10.55 event run with the half-marathon.

Both of the relay events proved very popular with a good number of teams in each event.

Consequently, the Cub scheduled both relay events again this year (the marathon version has already been run) but, in addition, decided to hold a standalone relay.

This race – the MA & LJ Bates Plumbing Teams 4 x 5km Handicap – will be run this Sunday.

The course will utilise a section of the newly constructed Coastal Pathway at Preservation Bay. Competitors will start and finish at the Penguin Surf Lifesaving Club with each runner heading out-and-back first to the east and then to the west. This format will give great viewing for spectators and team members alike

There are twenty-six teams entered meaning a total of 104 competitors will be involved.

It is impossible to attempt to pick the winning team but some great names have been invented including Girls Gone Rogue, Footy Franks, Fossils and Randoms.

Entries closed last Sunday with the race starting at 9pm this Sunday.

There will be a Club supplied barbecue after the race but there will be no nominated time event this week.

Race 18 Forth, Troy Atkins Accounting/Wynyard Fitness “Ironman Classic” 25km Handicap Report

The hardest race of the season (other than the marathon) was run as Race 18 of the PCCCT – Running Club’s season on Sunday.

The twenty-five-kilometre race – the Troy Atkins Accounting/Wynyard Fitness “Ironman Classic” – is run on a circuit course in the Forth Valley, starting and finishing in Forth.

There are two major hilly sections to test stamina and resolve and the race usually suits backmarkers.

This proved to be the case again this year, with Burnie runner, Jason Fehlberg, performing very strongly to take out both the victory and fastest time (1:36:51). This was his third victory since joining the Club in 2015.

Fehlberg once again proved how well he handles hills with his other victories coming at Railton and in the 16.5 Burnie to Ridgley race. However, despite that, his main aim at the moment is to work on his speed and improve his five-kilometre time.

He was very pleased to get the victory especially as he has not been able to compete very often this year due to being very busy building a family home.

Darryn Ling chased Fehlberg home while Emma Howard having her first star with the Club was a great third, just in front of Ben Brockman and Daniel Yaxley.

Fastest woman was Bec de Groot who recorded 1:58:28.

Other top performances were returned by Grant McCormack, Christine Wright and Andrew Lucas. Earlier the nominated time winners were Eva, Tom and Hannah Ridderhof

Race 18 Forth, Troy Atkins Accounting/Wynyard Fitness “Ironman Classic” 25km Handicap Preview

The next event for the PCCCT – Running Club is the Troy Atkins Accounting/Wynyard Fitness “Ironman Classic”.

A long-standing event on the calendar, at twenty-five kilometres it is not as long as the marathon, but is considered by many as the toughest run of the year due to a combination of the distance and the hilly terrain covered.

Starting at Forth it takes in a circuit in the Forth Valley comprising Wilmot and Paloona Roads to Melrose and return via Bellamy and Forthside Roads.

The event best suits fit middle or backmarkers who have proven records over these longer distances and there are several who have entered who have great chances.

Jono Cahill is certainly one of those. He specialises in the longer events and is a regular performer in tough triathlons. He ran a great race in the recent challenging ten-kilometre event at Burnie and will be better suited here.

Two runners who finished in front of him there, Gerard Lowry and Josh Febey, will be his main dangers. Lowry is very consistent whilst Febey, who won a race earlier this year, is on the verge of breaking through again as he has further improved.

Kim Steven needs it long and hilly to bring out his best and he will get that here and is ready to show up.

Other top chances include Ben Brockman, Kelly Baxter and Andrew Lucas.

Entries have closed already and the first runner will start at 9:00.

A nominated time event will be held at 9:15.

Race 17 Burnie, Sea-Lyons Swim School 6km Handicap Report

A good field lined up for the start of race seventeen of the PCCCT’s season at the Romaine Park Reserve in Burnie on Sunday in cool and overcast conditions – perfect for fast times.

Held completely within the Reserve, the Sea-Lyons Swim School 6km race consisted of four laps providing spectators with great viewing.

It was run on gravel and dirt paths, with a few small hills to keep things interesting.

Sulphur Creek runner, Johanna Robertson, was thrilled to take the victory – her first with the Club – after commencing competitive running last year.

Robertson is another who has come to running from cycling, finding it easier to make the time for training with a young family. She only had a handful of starts with the Club last year but has started in most events this year and that consistency has led to great improvement. She ran a personal best for parkrun the day before and so went into Sunday’s race looking forward to a great run.

Her goal now is to complete the Club’s Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race which at 17.6 kilometres would be the longest distance she has run.

She had a narrow victory from Alison Ridderhof who was having her first run with the Club, with the consistent Steve Tammens next from Sabrina Shields and Jason Scott.

Other runners to catch the eye were husband and wife duo, Howard and Selina Crispin, and Adrian Mann.

Fastest male was David Ridderhof (23:15) while Sabrina Shields was fastest female (25:09).

Earlier the nominated time winners were Freya Crispin, Paige Aitken, Mitchell Elphinstone and Libby Crispin.

Race 17 Burnie, Sea-Lyons Swim School 6km Handicap Preview

Race seventeen of the PCCCT – Running Club Season will be run on Sunday with members heading to Romaine Park for the Sea-Lyons Swim School 6km Handicap.

The quiet and scenic course has proven popular in the two years it has been used and is conducive to good times, despite the undulating conditions and loose ground underfoot.

This looks like a perfect race for Turners Beach runner, Darlene Jacques who has indicated lately she is close to another victory.

Her best result in recent weeks was an eighth at Stanley and she will have fresh legs having avoided the hilly courses of the last couple of weeks.

Her biggest competition looks to be Sabrina Shields, who was an excellent second last week indicating that she is returning to her best form.

Many runners have been consistent all year without breaking through and with the pointy end of the season fast approaching they will be looking for a victory

Chief among these are Aaron Robertson, Steve Tammens, Gerard Lowry, Selina Crispin and Nick Young and any of these could win without surprising.

Entries and membership registration are online only and will close on Friday at 6pm with the race starting Sunday at 9:30. New members are always welcome.

The nominated time event will be run at 9am.

Competitors are reminded that entries for the “Ironman Classic” 25km handicap to be run on July 17 close on Sunday at 11:59pm.

Race 16 Burnie, Paine Family Memorial 10km Handicap Report

The Paine Family Memorial ten-kilometre handicap at Burnie is conducted over a tough, hilly circuit and on Sunday was run in perfect winter running conditions it being sunny and cool with no wind.

A large number of Paine family members, travelled from the south of the state to join the north-west contingent and they were treated to a great race.

Last year there was a one-second margin between first and second and while it wasn’t as close this year, the winner was unclear until the last kilometre.

At that stage, Devonport runner Rhian Miles, finally overtook the gallant frontmarker Ken Williams and was able to hold on to complete the victory from Sabrina Shields, the fast-finishing backmarker, Josh Febey, Gerard Lowry and David Murton.

This is Miles’ second season with the Club and she was thrilled to finally get her first victory after many placings this year. Miles began running about eighteen months ago when encouraged by her sister, Daile Bennett-Moyle, and she now loves it. Interestingly, Bennett-Moyle won this event last year so Miles was excited to emulate that victory.

This year Miles has completed one main running goal – finishing a half-marathon – and now is hoping to do a full marathon later this year.

Miles was fastest female (42:08) with Febey fastest male (39:31).

Sunday also saw the running of the nominated time “Feature Race”. The winner was Libby Crispin from Ellen Burgess, Emma Turner, Chad Burr and Emily Aichberger.

Race 16 Burnie, Paine Family Memorial 10km Handicap Preview

A tough task lies in wait for members his week as the PCCCT heads to Burnie for the Paine Family Memorial ten-kilometre handicap.

Members will meet at the McKenna Park Hockey Complex ready for a start on Three Mile Line and will complete a circuit taking in the many hills of Mooreville and West Mooreville Roads.

Although it is a challenging course, it is very popular with runners wishing to test themselves over the classic distance and most will be very fit heading into the second half of the season.

Following a string of top runs while showing continued progress, Andrew Lucas will be a top chance on a course that will suit him. After breaking into “the ten” at Stanley, he has continued to improve finishing a great fourth over a similar course at Somerset before a sixth last week in a less suitable event.

Adrian Mann was sixth in the tough twelve-kilometre race two weeks ago and will be very hard to beat while Rhian Miles is well overdue for a win

Others with strong chances are Aaron Robertson, Steve Tammens, and Jason Scott while David Murton and Gerard Lowry can’t be discounted.

Entries close on Friday at 6pm with the race starting at 9:30.

This week also sees the running of the nominated time “Feature Race” to be held at 9:00 with extra prizes provided by the Paine Family. The Club is looking for strong support from members to make this a great event

Races 15 a, b and c Aviva Parfumerie 5km Handicap/SC Concrete Pumping 5km Women’s Championship/Cahill Family 5km Men’s Championship Report

Sunday’s race, the Aviva Parfumerie five-kilometre handicap was run on a flat out-and-back course starting at West Ulverstone’s Tobruk Park and led to some fast times being recorded. Most runners relished the change from the long, hilly races of the last few weeks and a good-sized field competed.

The event, which incorporated the Club’s five-kilometre championships, was conducted as a sealed handicap. This meant all runners commenced together and the handicaps were applied after the race.

The SC Concrete Pumping Women’s championship saw a victory to young-gun Darcy Miller who recorded the very slick time of 18:28. She had a comfortable margin to spare from a gallant Rhian Miles with another strong young runner in Sabrina Shields finishing third.

In the Cahill Family Men’s event, Hayden Bishop, added the five-kilometre championship to the ten-kilometre one that he won at Devonport earlier in the year, recording a very good 16:38. Bryan Tuit and Josh Febey took out the placings.

The sealed handicap was taken out by cyclist-turned-runner, Jordan Matthews who broke through for a well-deserved win after several placings. In his first season with the Club, Matthews has really taken to running and has exhibited great improvement. He still mixes running and cycling in training, finding the combination keeps him fresher and is less hard on his body. He also enjoys the fact that he can get a solid running workout done in about a third the time it would take cycling.

Steve Tammens and Rhian Miles filled the placings just in front of David Murton and Nick Young

Earlier the nominated time winners were Paige Aitken and Libby Crispin.

Races 15 a, b and c Aviva Parfumerie 5km Handicap/SC Concrete Pumping 5km Women’s Championship/Cahill Family 5km Men’s Championship Preview

This Sunday the PCCCT heads to Ulverstone for the Aviva Parfumerie five-kilometre handicap and many members will relish the short, flat event following tough courses the last few weeks.

Tobruk Park at West Ulverstone is the meeting place and the event will take competitors on paths west towards the Apex Holiday Park and return.

After completing his first marathon in May, former cyclist-turned-runner, Jordan Matthews has finished third and then a great second last week and this race must be his for the taking. The only thing in his way may be that it will be too short for him as he clearly likes the harder events.

There are many others waiting to pounce including Steve Tammens, Andrew Lucas, Kelly Baxter and Darlene Jacques while Stephen Dutton must also be considered.

The race incorporates the Club’s five-kilometre championships, so will be conducted as a mass start with the handicaps being sealed until after the finish.

The SC Concrete Pumping Women’s Championship is quite open. Lyn Saint-John and Felicity Lovatt look to be the main chances but Sabrina Shields, Bec O’Garey and Susan Moodie can’t be ruled out of contention.

Andrew Winkel, Joshua Febey and Hayden Bishop look the strongest chances in the Cahill Family Men’s Championship although Tom Murton and Tom Winkel will become the ones to beat if they compete.

Entries close at 6:00pm on Friday with the gun firing at 9:30.

A nominated time event will be held at 9:00.

Entries must be made at www.pccct.org which also has all relevant information. New runners are always welcome.

Race 14 Somerset, Ray Spinks/Coastal Running Club 12km Handicap Report

The PCCCT headed to Somerset for race 14 of the season – the Raymond Spinks/Coastal Running Club 12km handicap. Due to the toughness of the course and the unpleasant weather, numbers were down on recent weeks but a very competitive field gathered to hear the starter’s orders. The hilly, circuit course is a challenging one, commencing with a steady four kilometre climb up the Murchison Highway.

Turners Beach runner, Felicity Lovatt, ran a terrific race to break through for her first victory with the Club after showing recently that a win was imminent. She displayed promise last year in her debutant season with the PCCCT, but has had to overcome a couple of nagging injuries to return to her best form.

Although she has always enjoyed running, Lovatt was nervous about running competitively until last year when she and her brother Sam decided to join the Club. Now she speaks highly of the friendship and support she has received from members.

Trail running is her great love and next week Lovatt is travelling to the East Coast to compete over 29 km at Freycinet.

She had a narrow victory over Jordan Matthews who, after starting just 15 seconds behind Lovatt, chased her all the way to finish just ten seconds in arrears.

Perennial placegetter, Jason Scott, chalked up another third while Andrew Lucas, Gerard Lowry and Adrian Mann were next to finish.

Andrew Winkel was the fastest male (46.12) while Lovatt was quickest of the women (55:56).

The nominated time winner was Malcolm Nutting.