Race Previews 2021

NOTE: There is a typo in the title of the race on the handicaps. The distance is listed as 9km, but the race is 6km. The handicaps are correct for 6km, it is just a typo in the title.

COURSE

Course begins on Fernglade Road outside top entrance to Pony Club. Proceed down the road on the left hand side to the bottom entrance to Fernglade and turn left before the bridge into Fernglade itself. Continue on the road, past the picnic area and onto the track. Follow track right through to the pumphouse. Turn around large witches hat and proceed back up the road towards top entrance. Turn left about half-way up onto the track which will take you back down to bottom gate.

From here you will be directed up the road on the western side (now right hand side) past starting point and up to the second turning witches hat. Turn around and come back down the same side of the road to be directed into Fernpark Pony Club at the top gate. Witches hats and painted arrows will guide you on a 2km loop of the pony club to finish in front of the clubrooms.

NOTES

As per usual when running on the road please remember safety is your responsibility also. Please follow the directions of all marshals. Last year some runners crossed the road prematurely, meaning we were running on both sides of the road and creating a potential traffic hazard. Please stay on western side of road until final crossing at the marshal.

As this course is in the bush with dappled light and variable terrain, including roots and leaf litter, please avoid running with sunglasses and run with your eyes as well as your legs.

The PCCCT heads to Fernglade this Sunday for the running of the Wilkinson’s Pharmacy 6km Handicap. The race will be starting later, at 1pm, to allow runners a chance to pay respects to the ANZAC’s in the morning.

A familiar and popular course, it consists of sealed road, trail, and grass, with some hills thrown in for good measure. If we get some rain through the week, it will make for a challenging but enjoyable run for members.

Ellen Burgess looks to be a good chance of taking line honours, having recorded a strong run into fifth at Wynyard last week. A member of the committee, Ellen puts equally as much hard work and dedication into her running as her position in the club. This course will suit her well. 

Dominic Troughton wouldn’t surprise if he broke the tape first. He again featured on the podium last week and must be very close to securing a win.

New member Sam Mawer impressed on debut with the club, recording the fastest time of the day and finishing in fourth. If he can reproduce his form on that day, a good result certainly awaits.

Others to watch are Jason Scott and David Wright.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and close at 6pm Friday. Entries for the Burnie to Ridgley Mountain Classic are also open and will close midnight Sunday. New members are always welcome and encouraged to check our website. www.pccct.org

The nominated time event will start at 12:30pm.

This course starts at Gutteridge Gardens, Wynyard.  The race starts near the soundshell and heads north-west on the path until this ends at Jenner St.  The race then briefly follows Jenner St before following the track along the river.  At ~1.5 km into the run the track end and runners will cross the road entry into the Cape Bridge Picnic Ground and follow Table Cape Rd on the right hand side footpath, over the bridge.  Immediately after the bridge, runners will cross the road and join the northern side of the river track.  The river track continues for~2.5 km until it reaches the Bass Highway.  The course then takes the footbridge across the Inglis river and then drops down onto the southern side of the river track for the ~2.5 km return to Table Cape Rd.  Runners then cross Table Cape Rd and return to the Start/Finish along the same route as initially taken.

Notes:

1. There are two crossings Table Cape Rd and there are short sections where the course follows Jenner St and the Esplanade.  Runners are strongly reminded that they do not have right of way and that they are expected to take due care at all crossings.
2. There are sections of exposed tree roots, stairs and variable lighting.  It is suggested that runners avoid using sunglasses out on course.
3. Please be aware we are sharing paths with the public and need to give other users due consideration.
4. There is limited parking in the Gardens carpark, so please leave this for other patrons and people with mobility problems or small children. There is parking at the wharf and in nearby streets.
5. If you are not feeling well, especially if you have cold/flu systems, on Sunday morning please don’t come to the run.

The 2021 PCCCT season heads west this Sunday for the Findex Wynyard 8.5km Handicap, returning to a favourite of the new courses introduced last season.

The out-and-back course starts at Gutteridge Gardens, utilising the trails and board walks following the Inglis River. The course will suit agile runners, with quick thinking and movement required to take the best line.

Two of the club’s youngest runners, fifteen-year-old Dominic Troughton, and sixteen-year-old Will van Rooyen, will be well suited to this type of running. Both runners impressed last week on the trails in Spreyton, both finishing in the top five. Dominic and Will have recently stepped up to the Handicap events, after being regular features in the nominated time events throughout the years.

Another young charger, Joshua Febey, would not surprise with a win after recording a convincing victory in this race last year. Febey has been placing well this season and seems to enjoy the longer distances.

Last week’s favourite Tony Abel was only thirty-four seconds behind the winner in that race and could easily break the tape.

Others in contention are Shaun Batten, Gerard Lowry, and Adrian Mann, all of whom ran well on the trails last week.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and close at 6pm Friday. New members are always welcome and encouraged to check our website. www.pccct.org

The nominated time event will start at 9am.

The PCCCT season resumes after a week off for Easter, heading to the apple orchards for the Spreyton Cider 5km Handicap.

The race will start in a paddock nearby to Spreyton Cider, before heading out into the orchards. This race, consisting of mostly trail running, will be sure to provide plenty of entertainment for runners and spectators. Mud and puddles await if it rains before Sunday.

The shorter distance usually favours the front-markers, and favourite amongst them looks to be Tony Abel. Recording good finishing positions in the three prior races this season, Tony looks to be improving every week.

Young Dominic Troughton impressed at Port Sorell, recording a top three finish. With the potential for improvement from Dominic week to week, a win is certainly within his grasp.

Matthew Lardner produced a strong result at Port Sorell, as well as Brendan Burr. Neither would surprise with a victory this week. 

Sam Lovatt is also a chance, having a strong run at the Easter Marathon on Sunday. If he recovers well, he could be right amongst the action.

To be noted is the later start time of 11am, to allow for members to compete in the Great Train Race earlier Sunday morning.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and close at 6pm Friday. New members are always welcome and encouraged to check our website. www.pccct.org

The shorter nominated time event will be held at 10:30am.

This course consists of a mix of road and off road track starting at the park at the southern end of Port St, Port Sorell.  Runners will head west along the esplanade before crossing the Panatana Rivulet via the footbridge.  After crossing the rivulet, the course takes an anticlockwise loop following the trails, crossing Panatana Dr and continuing until the trail meets Milldan Rd.  Here runners will head north along Milldan Rd briefly before turning right into Jefkins Dr, following this road for approx. 800 m before a turnaround and returning to Milldan Rd.  The course then follows Milldan Rd north until the end of this road which leads directly onto trail.  Runners will follow this trail until the footbridge to complete the loop before re-crossing the bridge and returning the start area to the finish chute.

Notes:

1. There are two road crossings at Panatana Dr and Milldan Rd.  Runners are strongly reminded that they do not have right of way and that they are expected to take due care at all crossings.
2. The off-road sections of the race are relatively easy, but there are sections of exposed tree roots and variable lighting.  It is suggested that runners avoid using sunglasses out on course.
3. When warming up and moving towards the start area, people are reminded that runners may be starting their race.  Please take care to avoid interfering with runners already on course.

The PCCCT’s 2021 season moves on to race 3 this Sunday, heading out to Port Sorell for the Glow Cosmetics 7km Handicap. This is only the second time a race has been conducted on this course, with the inaugural event in 2019 receiving glowing reviews.

The race will start at the Panatana Padling Pool and Family Park in South Esplanade, before crossing the bridge over to the Squeaking Point area. The course consists of sealed roads and sandy trails.

After running second in both races this year, Greg Malley looks hard to beat. Re-joining the club last year after a four-year hiatus, Malley has improved his kilometre rating dramatically over the summer break. With the other big improvers now having recorded a victory, he looks set to join winners list.

Other favourites are also members returning to the club after time away. Tony Abel ran a strong run into third last week and re-joins this year after twelve-years away from the club. Fastest female last week, Daile Bennett-Moyle, also returns this year after four-years away and has improved dramatically over the last few months. Neither of these runners would surprise with a victory.

Joshua Febey and Sam Lovatt both ran strongly at Run Devonport on Sunday and could easily collect themselves a victory.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and will close at 6pm Friday. New members are always welcomed and are encouraged to check out our website. www.pccct.org

The nominated time event will be held at 9am.

Following the successful start of the 2021 season, the PCCCT moves onto Don for the Cradle Coast Sports and Events 7km Handicap.

This year the race is being held on Friday evening which will allow members time to recover for Run Devonport on Sunday.

Starting at the Don Cricket Ground at 6pm, the 7km race is run mostly on sealed tracks. Runners will also have to navigate sections of sawdust in a loop through the bush near the pool.

Favourite to break the tape would be Darlene Jacques, after continuing her fine form of last year through to race one, finishing 3^rd. Darlene has worked hard training with the Everyday Lions group, and has posted many personal bests over the last year. She also recorded a win last year, but her improvement has been so impressive that she could collect herself another victory.

Greg Malley ran a strong race last week and wouldn’t surprise with a victory. Other runners who are a strong chance over this distance are Dale Lancaster, Josh Febey, and Adrian Mann.

Geoff Cassidy also ran an excellent time last week, finishing within a minute of the winner. With a slightly longer race, he also could be right up there with a chance of winning. 

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and will close at 6pm Wednesday.

The nominated time event will be held at 5:30pm.

This course consists of a simple out and back starting in the Wivenhoe Showgrounds.

The race starts in front of the grandstand the western side of the Showgrounds.  The course then exists the NW gate and immediately crosses Pearl St.  The course continues along the left side of Main Rd until River Rd where it heads south for ~30m before crossing River Rd and heading north to the Bass Highway.  Runners cross the Emu River and then turn left following Massy-Greene Dr before turning left onto the path following Fern Glade Rd.  When the path reaches the small carpark the course crosses Fern Glade Rd taking the left side of the path fork, over the small hill and continues to the turnaround at the entrance to Fern Glade Reserve.  On the return, runners will go over the small hill and take the left fork in the path before crossing over Fern Glade Rd.  The course then backtracks to Wivenhoe and the finish chute in the Showgrounds.

Notes:

1. As this course is an out and back following the same path in both directions, all runners are requested to keep to the left side of the path wherever practical.  This is especially necessary on the path along Fern Glade Rd where runners will be passing each other in both directions.
2. There are four road crossings on this course in each direction.  The major crossings will be marshalled, but runners are reminded that they do not have right of way and to take due care at all crossings.
3. When warming up and moving towards the start area, people are reminded that runners may be starting their race.  Please take care to avoid interfering with runners already on course.