Race 24: The Gowans Toyota Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race

Liz small

The  PCCCT Gowans Motor Group 17.6 kilometre Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race was run in excellent conditions on Sunday and a good sized field gathered to hear the starter’s orders.

The race looked very open on paper with many chances and this was how it turned out with just over three minutes separating the top ten runners.

Table Cape triathlete, Liz Murton, won the event and in doing so recorded her first victory with the Club after having her first run three years ago.

Murton commenced in triathlon last summer after being inspired by her daughter. She is very fit, having just returned from the world age-group triathlon championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she represented Australia in the 60 – 64 years category. She was second Australian woman and 38th overall in the sprint triathlon section.

Murton’s son, Thomas, who started the race favourite, began from the very back mark and in an excellent effort, recorded the fastest time of 55:41 taking third place. He was separated from his mother by the vastly improved, Mary-Lou Troughton, who made it a quinella for the women.

Fourth was Lorraine Shepheard with Phillip Crombie and Danielle Newall putting in excellent efforts to take the next two places.

First runner away was Dale Lancaster and she led until the last couple of kilometres, where she was overtaken by Murton. She had looked the likely winner with half the race completed. She eventually finished tenth.

Fastest woman was Natasha Mapley who finished eighth and recorded 70:21.

Full results.
 
1st: Liz Murton, 2nd: Mary-Lou Troughton, 3rd Thomas Murton, 4th: Lorraine Shepheard, 5th: Phillip Crombie
 
Fastest male: Thomas Murton 55:41
Fastest female: Natasha Mapley 70;21
First female other than the winner: Mary-Lou Troughton
Youngest finisher: Vicky Knapman
First 50+ years old other than the winner: Lorraine Shepheard
First novice other than the winner: Danielle Newall
 
Congratulations to all runners and helpers for making it a great day.

Race24 FeatureRaceLinePosition17600m

Race24 FeatureRaceFastest17600m

Gowans Toyota Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race 17.6km

This Sunday sees the running of the Gowans Toyota Wynyard to Burnie Feature race.

This event, which is the richest and most prestigious of the season, is run over 17.6 kilometres. Normally starting outside the post office and finishing at West Park, this week due to football at the oval, the race will commence in Gutteridge Gardens and conclude at West Beach.

All members would like to add their name to the honour board listing previous winners, but only one will have that privilege. To win, a number of factors have to come together, but principal is a quality, injury-free preparation to enable a competitor to utilise the handicap provided.

Frontmarkers who fit the bill include Dale Lancaster and Christine Wright. Both are runners who can keep their pace over longer distances and are very fit. Lancaster, the first runner away, in particular will be hard to catch as she has been close to winning other longer races this year.

Best of the middlemarkers look to be last week’s winner Mary-Lou Troughton, Andrew Hay, Russell Horton, Josh Febey and Terry Watson. Watson especially  will be very hard to beat after being in the placings consistently in recent weeks.

Any of several backmarkers would not surprise and be deserving winners. Natasha Mapley, Simon Gates, Matthew Atkins, Hayden Bishop and Brad Taylor look the most likely although off the very back mark with Brian Lyons, Thomas Murton could pass the whole field and take this out.

Sunday’s Feature Race Important Information
Updated information: Feature Race Details 2019
 
First, West Park is unavailable due to football. The event will now start at Gutteridge Gardens and finish at West Beach. The luncheon will be at the Burnie SLSC (Calcutta will still be at The Point on Friday). Showers and change facilities will be available at the surf club.
 
The Club will provide savouries but could members please bring a sweet/slices. The bar will be open.
 
Runners: please provide your own drink bottles labelled with your name and number. There will be two drink stations.
 Calcutta: please note that the auction (Friday Sep 6 7:00pm) will take place at The Point – NOT at the Burnie SLSC as previously advised.

How does the Calcutta work? Find out here: Calcutta Rules

Notes from our handicapper:

It has been a hard task in setting Handicaps for your Feature Race . I had informed you earlier in the season that I use a different mindset in setting Handicaps for longer and prestigious races and that anyone should not surmise their handicap going forward. I get a better handle on the task when seeing competitors run regularly in Club Races.
I wish all the best to all competitors . One hint . The race doesn’t finish at the Somerset Bridge.

Note:
If all don’t know, our handicapping is discretionary.
The word discretionary comes from the word discretion which can be used to mean the right to decide something based on one’s own judgement.
If a person is given a task to complete at your discretion, you can decide how you want to do it ,or whether you want to do it all.
Pat McMahon

 

Race 23: The Pat McMahon 8km at East Devonport

MLT

The last race prior to the big one – the 2019 Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race – was the Pat McMahon eight kilometres at East Devonport Beach. A new out-and-back trail course was used and provided a great variety of underfoot conditions – sealed pathway, gravel road, beach, sandy track and grass.

Burnie runner, Mary-Lou Troughton, had been close to a win for some time with several placings, and was finally able to break through.

Having started with the club three years ago, this was her second win following a victory at Don early last year. Since then, she has found a real love for running and the training she has done, often with her husband, fellow club member Ken, has seen her improve greatly.

Troughton now has an immediate target of beating her time from last year’s Feature Race when she again competes next week.

Race favourite, Terry Watson, was second in front of Josh Febey, Michael Bates and Andrew Hay.

Russell Horton and Jason Scott where next to finish while the frontmarker, Dale Lancaster, ran another game race to finish eighth.

Fastest time for the men was recorded by Hayden Bishop with Lyn Saint-John the fastest of the women and third fastest overall.

Nominated time winners were Phoebe Gillard, Lucy van Rooyen, Maya Bramich and Lachlan Purton.

Race23 EastDevonportLinePosition8km

Race23 EastDevonportFastest8km

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.

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

 

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.

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

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.

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.

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