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August 2019

East Devonport: The Pat McMahon 8km

This Sunday’s race is being run for the first time. It’s the Pat McMahon eight kilometre handicap starting at East Devonport Beach. The course will be out-and-back heading easterly on the Heritage Walking Track. There is some sealed pathway along with a sandy track to provide variety.

As it will provide members with their last chance for a solid hit-out before the following week’s Feature Race, it promises to be a very keen affair. The winner will not have a handicap readjustment until after that event, so a victory here will not affect his/her chances in the big one.

Based on recent efforts the runner likely to start favourite is Terry Watson. He was in excellent form early on the season before missing many weeks with shin splints but since returning has been quick to display his best form. He was fourth last week at Gunns Plains following on from a fifth in the half marathon and then a second at Railton. Starting from a middle mark, he is certainly the one to beat.

Off a handicap just behind Watson, Josh Febey has looked close to breaking through all year and could do so here. He will certainly have Watson in his sights all the way and could overtake him towards the finish.

Others who look top hopes include Natasha Mapley, Mark Saint-John and Andrew Hay while backmarker, Thomas Murton, can not be discounted.

Nominated time events will be conducted at 9:15.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 22: The Kevin Burn Memorial/Brown Family 13.5km at Gunns Plains

Kelly Small

Race 22 of the season, the Kevin Brown Memorial/Brown Family 13.5km handicap was run at Gunns Plains in perfect conditions.

Runners relished the mostly flat course, although the distance of 13.5 kilometres can be a testing one.

Run as a circuit taking in both sides of the Leven River, the race started and commenced at Wings Wildlife Park.

Race favourite, Burnie runner Kelly Baxter, was a very deserving winner after going close in so many races over the last couple of years.

After commencing with the Club in 2014, Baxter took out her first win the following year at Wivenhoe but hadn’t been able to break through again until Sunday. Although she prefers flat courses, she is now going to challenge herself by running the Point to Pinnacle in Hobart in November.

After taking the lead from frontmarker, Dale Lancaster, with about two kilometres to run, Baxter held on to defeat Nick Young and her co-marker, Mary-Lou Troughton. Terry Watson and Russell Horton continued their good form to record the next two placings.

Others who look on track for the Feature Race in two weeks include Josh Febey, Mark-Saint-John and Andrew Hay, while backmarker Thomas Murton stormed through the field to record fastest time and finish sixth.

Fastest woman was Natasha Mapley. She was eleventh across the line.

The nominated time winners were Mitchell and Hannah Elphinstone, James Frankcombe and Mackenzie Troughton.

Race22 GunnsPlainsLinePos13500m

Race22 GunnsPlainsFastest13500m

 

By Rod Viney, ago

Gunns Plains: the Kevin Burn Memorial/Brown Family 13.5km

Gunns Plains is the venue of the Kevin Burn Memorial/Brown Family 13.5km handicap to be raced over a circuit course taking in both sides of the Leven River starting at Wings’ Wildlife Park.

With the Feature Race just two weeks away, members will be looking for a good strong hit out over this longer distance.

Club races run the last three weeks have all been won by women members and one of the best chances this week is also a woman who has shown the distance will suit her perfectly.

Although she was only eleventh in last week’s six kilometre event, Kelly Baxter was an excellent second in the recent half marathon showing she is extremely fit and ready to win. She will certainly look a likely victor at some stage of the run.

Terry Watson has impressed in recent races and could be the main danger following his second two weeks ago at Railton.

Others who look strong chances include Russell Horton, Andrew Hay, and the winner of this event last year, Amie Bramich. Although rehandicapped, Bramich has continued to improve and has looked a likely winner for some time.

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

Entries for the Feature Race also close this Sunday and can be made at the race or on the PCCCT website.

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

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 21: The Molly Malone’s 6km at Devonport

Anna M small

The Molly Malone’s six kilometre handicap was run on Sunday in Devonport over a scenic route taking in Victoria Parade and the Bluff with a climb up to the lighthouse. However, no-one had time to admire the views while racing over the fast, flat course.

The event proved to be a triumph for female members of the Club as they took out the first three places.

Wynyard runner and triathlete, Anna Murton, had a very timely win. After being very consistent all year, she managed a victory in what will be her last Club race for this season. This Sunday she leaves for Europe where she will compete in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland. Following the Championships. Murton and her partner Andrew Rolls, who will also be competing, will stay on for a holiday for several weeks.

Rolls, who also won a race this year, took out fastest time honours among the men with Lyn Saint-John the fastest woman.

In her best run with the Club since commencing earlier this year, Danielle Newall was just ten seconds behind Murton with race favourite, Mary-Lou Troughton in third. David Wright and  Nick Young showed they are running into good form taking out the next two places.

Also catching the eye were Russell Horton, Tony Stewart and the very consistent Josh Febey.

Nominated time winners were Mia Robertson, Mitchell and Hannah Elphinstone, Mackenzie Troughton and Will van Rooyen.

Race21 DevonportLinePosition6km

Race21 DevonportFastest6km

By Rod Viney, ago

Isaac and Maddi (and Lawson)

 

Please note: you can also donate by direct deposit to:

BSB: 067010
Account: 28005745
Please put “Troughton Appeal” as the reference.

For those who may not be aware: Isaac Troughton and his fiancée, Maddi, had a baby boy 4 weeks ago who was born at 24 weeks gestation – so very premature.

While he is making progress, Maddi and Isaac are facing big hurdles in the near term as mum and bub need to remain in Hobart with Isaac travelling.

Your committee has decided to organise a cash collection for the young family. So if you would like to contribute, please bring some money in an envelope to the run at Molly Malone’s this week or to Gunns Plains next week. It can be handed to me or Barry.

If you would like to include a note or card feel free. The donations will be pooled and forwarded to Isaac and Maddi in a couple of weeks.

Many thanks, Rod.

By Rod Viney, ago

Devonport: The Molly Malone’s 6km

This Sunday’s race is the Molly Malone’s six kilometre handicap commencing at Roundhouse Park, Devonport. The course takes runners to the Bluff lighthouse and return via Victoria Parade and the Devonport Bluff.

With the Feature Race looming – just three weeks away – members will be looking for a sharp hit out, especially after the longer races of the last two weeks.

One of the most improved runners in the Club, Mary-Lou Troughton, could be the hardest to beat. She was a great third last week, her best result of the year. This distance and course will suit her admirably.

One of the backmarkers, Mark Saint-John also had a season best last week when he was a fast-closing fourth. He ran his fastest time ever for that event underlining his current fitness.

Terry Watson, Andrew Hay and Jason Scott have all been prominent in recent events and are strong possibilities while Dale Lancaster Is sure to win a race before the end of the season and it could well be here.

Others who wouldn’t surprise include Tony Stewart, Russell Horton and Amie Bramich.

The race will start at the normal time of 10:00 with entries closing at 9:30.

Nominated time events will be conducted at 9:15 and, in line with our new policy, 12, 13 and 14 year olds may have their nominated time run as part of the main event.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 20: The Anvers Confectionery 10km at Railton

Michelle small

Last year morning rain affected numbers for the Anvers Confectionery ten kilometre handicap at Railton. By contrast, this year a beautiful clear day greeted competitors as they arrived in Pioneer Park so that a good size field assembled for the start.

The course takes runners on back streets and through a bush track before heading up the tough Newbed Road hill and continuing to complete a circuit.

Race favourite, Devonport runner, Michelle D’Monte, broke through for a well-deserved win after two recent seconds. She did it in style, winning by more than a minute, reward for the dedication to her training she has shown in recent months after a period when busy with family commitments.

Her last win was a five kilometre race at Devonport three years ago and this was her fourth win overall after commencing with the club in 2009.

Behind D’Monte the race was much closer with ten runners finishing within forty-eight seconds. Terry Watson continued his promising form to take second ahead of Mary-Lou Troughton. Mark Saint-John, who finished fourth, impressed with a strong return to form.

Others to catch the eye included the consistent Josh Febey, Andrew Hay and Russell Horton.

Fastest female was Amie Bramich (41:57) with Evan Brett, who finished seventh in the race, fastest male (35:46).

The nominated time winners were Mackenzie Troughton, Will van Rooyen and Lucy van Rooyen.

Race20 RailtonLinePosition10km

Race20 RailtonFastest10km

By Rod Viney, ago

Railton: The Anvers Confectionery 10km

Railton is the venue for race 20 of the season as members compete in the Anvers Confectionery ten kilometre handicap.

The course is a circuit, starting at Goliath Park and is affectionately described as flat with one hill. However, that one hill, is a long and high one and presents a good challenge.

A runner who will love the course is Devonport athlete, Michelle D’Monte. The distance is perfect for her and she handles hills beautifully. She also is on sparkling form. She was runner-up three weeks ago over a similar course, and followed this with a very unlucky second at Spreyton. Last week she finished seventh in the half-marathon but this shorter race will suit her much better.

Kelly Baxter ran a great race for second in the half-marathon to go with other excellent recent efforts. She looks to be getting back to the form that she showed last year when she went close to winning without getting that well-deserved victory.

Terry Watson could be the best of the men. After missing much of the season due to injury he is now getting back to his best and will be looking to win soon. It could well be on Sunday.

Other good chances look to be Anna Murton, Amie Bramich, Andrew Hay and Ken Troughton (a previous winner of this event).

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

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

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 19: The AJL Lifestyle/AJL Yamaha Half marathon at Turners Beach

Chris Talbot small

Competitors had perfect conditions for race 19 of the season – the AJL Lifestyle and Yamaha half-marathon.

The course, taking competitors from Turners Beach to West Ulverstone and return, was mostly flat, and so conducive to fast running.

On paper it looked likely to be a very close race and the top ten featured runners from front, middle and back marks.

The winner was Cuprona runner, Chris Talbot, who is a long course specialist. Talbot had won the event previously in 2014 and is also a winner of the Club’s marathon. He has been running with the Club for about ten years after taking up running in his mid-fifties.

Since then he has completed forty-two marathons. His aim is to get one hundred under the belt and is hoping to do five a year to get there. He has also finished the one hundred and one kilometres of Gone Nuts twice as well as other ultra-marathons.

The next finishers were women, with Kelly Baxter just holding off Tash Mapley for second. Dale Lancaster was first to start and ran another brave race to finish fourth after leading until the last kilometre, while Terry Watson was fifth.

Other eye-catching runs were from Ben Brockman and Michelle D’Monte while backmarker, Brian Lyons, finished eighth

Lyons had the fastest time of 70:16 with Tash Mapley fastest of the women in 84:32 .

The nominated time winners were Phoebe Gillard, Ellen and Hannah Elphinstone and Ashley Fehlberg.

Race19 TurnersBchLinePosition21km

Race19 TurnersBchFastest21km

By Rod Viney, ago