Race 5: Dowling McCarthy Tyres 5km at Cooee

Alex Johnstone resized

Race five of the Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania’s season was held on Sunday and the Easter Bunny delivered a beautiful day for running with members keen to work off some chocolate-related calories.

Starting and finishing at the Cooee Hall, the course circumnavigated Burnie High School before heading towards the Durham Road hill, climbing five hundred metres to the turn.

Considering the long weekend, a good field gathered to hear the starter’s orders, including twelve having either their first run with the club or first for the year.

Natalie Luttrell and John Purton led the field away with Ken Williams, at 79, the Club’s oldest runner, belying his years to be in hot pursuit..

But it became clear that the winner would come from one of the middlemarkers who were quickly winding in the fronties.

In the last kilometre Alex Johnstone, took over the lead and was just able to hold off Andrew Rolls for a narrow win with Terry Watson running a game third.

Thomas Murton, who started from the very back mark, was fourth, in front of race favourite Josh Febey who was next to finish. Williams hung on well for eighth with promising runs also being recorded by Ewen Troughton and Michael Bates.

Murton recorded fastest time for the men with Brooke Fehlberg was fastest woman.

Earlier the nominated time winners were Armani Walker, McKenzie Troughton and Hanna Francombe.

Race05 Cooee Line Position 5km

Race05 Cooee Fastest 5km

Cooee: Dowling McCarthy Tyres 7km

The Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania travels to Cooee this week for the running of the Dowling and McCarthy Tyres five kilometre handicap.

The interesting out-and-back course which starts at the Cooee Hall, has a short, sharp climb to the turn and traverses roads, paths and grass areas.

With four events now completed this year, several runners have been consistently close-up and will likely break through soon.

One of those is Joshua Febey, who won this event last year, proving his liking for the course and distance. He has continued to improve, as young runners can, and is now very capable of winning again off his revised mark.

Andrew Rolls was a great second last week at Don, finishing slightly in front of Febey and will be his biggest threat.  He also recorded a high placing at his only other start this season.

Roselyn Hendriks was close to a win last year and showed this year she is on track for a win soon and it could well be on Sunday. She finished fourth in the front markers event at Devonport and is well suited by the five kilometre distance. Off a front mark she will prove hard to catch.

Others who would not surprise with a victory are John Badcock, Terry Watson, David Murton and Kelly Baxter.

Nominated time events will be held at 9:05