June 2018

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

Starting at the Council depot at Three Mile Line, runners complete a circuit course taking in the many hills of Mooreville and West Mooreville Roads.

Although challenging, it is very popular and a large field is expected. With the season now more than half completed, there are many runners who have been close to winning, some on several occasions, but who haven’t breasted the tape and will be keen to do so soon. This will make for a close and exciting contest.

One runner who is perfectly suited here is last year’s winner, Hayden Bishop. He finished in “the ten” in a similar race at Devonport a few weeks ago and has performed well since. He could very easily make it back-to-back wins in this event.

Sven Mason has been getting closer almost weekly and would not surprise if he won. His wife, Karina, has also been close to winning all year and a Mason quinella is a possibility.

Matthew Rolls was flying home over a much shorter distance last week and will fancy his chances, but there are many other contenders, including, Amie Bramich, Don McCreadie and Lorraine Shepherd.

Entries close at 9:30 with the race starting at 10:00.

 A nominated time event will be held at 9:05.

This week the PCCCT heads to Burnie for the Fish Frenzy five kilometre handicap and many members will relish the short event following the twenty-five kilometres of last week.

The course starts at West Beach and is an out and back course to Cooee, utilising the board walks and footpaths.

The race incorporates the five kilometre club championships, based on fastest times. The women’s competition should see a close contest between Lyn Saint-John and Natasha Mapley. Brad Taylor will be hardest to beat amongst the men, although he will have a battle on his hands if Thomas Wilson starts and Bryan Tuit can’t be discounted

The handicap event will be keenly contested. It will provide another chance for front and middle markers to garner a win before a series of longer tougher events.

Amie Bramich has run some terrific races lately as the extra training she has been doing has kicked in. She followed a seventh in the City of Devonport ten kilometre event with second at Stanley and then a great fifth last week. She should start favourite here.

Her dangers though are many, and include Ken Troughton, Neville Sweetman, Lorraine Shepherd and Sven Mason.

Entries close at 9:30 with the gun firing at 10:00. Members are reminded to wear their numbers and timing chips. New runners are always welcome and this would be a good race to commence running with the PCCCT.

 A nominated time event will be held at 9:05.

Ironman and woman handicaps 2018

The next event on the PCCCT calendar is the Burnie Trophy Centre/ Troy Atkins Accounting Ironman and Ironwoman Classic at Forth.

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 the extremely 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 Forthside Road.

The event best suits fit backmarkers who have proven records over these longer distances.

One who ticks all the boxes is Devonport runner Greg Smith. Smith won last year’s marathon and after a slow start to the year while overcoming injury, he has started to run into some top form, showing promise in shorter events.

His main danger will be backmarker, Brad Taylor who was second in the recent PCCCT marathon, while Hayden Bishop and Michael Purton must also be considered.

Best of the middle markers could be Rick Ferguson who caught the eye with sixth at Stanley last week and likes longer races. His co-marker Shane Cleaver will fancy his chances as will Amie Bramich, Debbie Riley and Anna Murton who all have recent good form.

Kyle Groenewege and Matthew Rolls are others who have been threatening to win for some time and it could be this week.

Entries have closed with the first runner starting at 9:00.

 A nominated time event will be held at 9:05.

The PCCCT heads to beautiful Stanley this week for the WT House Betta Home Living “Steve Hanson Memorial” eight kilometre handicap, another of the club’s “blue ribbon events”.

The course is a favourite of members. There is a short testing hill early on but then competitors are rewarded with a great run along the Green Hills before descending with views of The Nut followed by travelling along the main street before returning to the start at the Stanley Oval.

One runner who will be very keen to take this race out is Neville Sweetman. Having had nearly two hundred and fifty runs since his last win many years ago, he is certainly due and a win would be well-deserved.

Sweetman is also starting to show the form necessary to be a serious contender, with a close sixth at Devonport in the last Club race two weeks ago. He would not have to improve much and, if anything, the slightly shorter distance will suit him better.

Several runners have been consistently in “the ten” and will be top chances. Karina Mason must break through shortly, while Amie Bramich, Kyle Groenewege and Shane Hanson could win without surprising.

The event starts at the later time of 10:30 with nominations closing at 10:00. New runners are welcome.

 A nominated time event will be held at 9:45.

Runners are reminded that entries close this Sunday for the following week’s Ironman/Ironwoman at Forth.