News

The race starts near the crossroads of the main gravel tracks of the area.  Runners will exit the gravel travel and cross an open grass area followed by a short bridge.  The course then winds in a clockwise direction over the western hill, following the marked tracks.  After approx. 600 m, runners will start descending off the hill using the track network down to the main gravel track.  The course then returns almost to the track crossroads before reaching a turnaround.  At this point the course follows the main Sylvan Circuit track (~1.5 km) in a clockwise direction.  Once the full circuit has been completed, runners will have returned to the track crossroads.  This is the end of the first lap.  The second lap follows exactly the same route from this point.  The finish chute will be next to the Rotunda in the open grassed area to the west of the crossroads.

1. There is smallish carpark at Arboretum.  However, as the site will be open to the general public, we ask members to consider carpooling to the race where possible.  Also, could all members avoid parking in areas other than the car park; this includes not parking along the entrance avenue (starting at the site gates and leading up to the car park).
2. The first 800m of each lap is predominantly single-track grass paths.  These are well marked but there will be limited opportunities for passing.  Please pick you moment and pass safely.  Once the course leaves the western hill the track opens up leaving plenty of space to passing on the back 2/3 of each lap.
3. There are sections of slightly uneven ground and exposed roots on course (first 800m of each lap).  There are also a handful of sharp switchbacks when descending off the hill.  Runners are reminded to take care and run to their limits.
4. The course is likely to be damp underfoot, but there will be no muddy sections.
5. Please respect the site and keep to marked paths and open grass areas at all times.

The PCCCT – Running Club heads to the beautiful Tasmanian Arboretum at Eugenana this Sunday for race 23 of the season – the LifeVantage Independent Distributor (Susan Moodie) five-kilometre handicap.

The course may be short, but is challenging as runners complete two laps of 2.5km each incorporating unsealed tracks around the lake and a short, sharp hill climb.

Last year the course was used for the first time and the race was well attended. A similar response is expected Sunday, especially as it is scheduled later in the year with only three more races before the season’s climax – the Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race.

As usual, there are many chances but one runner who will love this course is first season runner, Alison Ridderhof.

Ridderhof has good recent form with her best results being a second at Romaine Park five weeks ago and a great third over a very similar course at Penguin two weeks ago.

On that day Jordan Matthews finished second with Jean-Christophe Bonneville fourth and they look the two hardest for Ridderhof to beat.

Other strong chances include Jason Scott, Steven Tammens, Joshua Febey and Emma Turner.

The race starts at 9:30am with entries (on-line only) closing at the normal time of 6pm Friday.

There will be a nominated time event at 9am.

Runners are reminded that entries for the Simons Carpets Wynyard-to-Burnie Feature Race are now open and will close on Sunday August 28. New runners are always welcome.

The two events are conducted concurrently over the same course.  

The races start at 9.30 am at the Turners Beach Football Club, Henry Street, Turners Beach. The course starts with a clockwise lap on the outside of the oval, then  heads out of the ground on Henry Street and runners then turn left onto Susan Street and left again onto Boyes Street. There will be a race official at the junction of Boyes Street and The Esplanade to turn runners left and onto the right-hand side of The Esplanade. Runners continue on the right-hand side of the road and onto the coastal pathway.

NB. The path is being redone from the entrance into Camp Clayton along to Maskells Road. Runners will need to run along Clayton Toad for this section. It is marked with witches’ hats but just watch for traffic.

Continue through to Beach Road and cross to the sea side of Beach Road. The runners join the Fairway Park pathway near the Ulverstone Surf Club, continue along the pathway past Otto’s Grotto and take the top footpath at the wharf and onto the Ulverstone Bridge. The race heads right off the bridge footpath onto the coastal walkway next to the Leven River to Maud Street. At Maud Street runners turn right into Braddon Street where they will see the turn sign and the drink station. The teams’ second runners commence their run at the turn. Runners return on the same course to the finish at the Turners Beach Football Ground.  

The half marathon races will start at 9.30am. Competitors need to wear a race bib, which will be provided, to identify which race they are in and what team. It is a flat, out-and-back course. As sections of the race are on public roads, runners are asked to run with caution and obey any directions from race officials.

Runners need to supply their own drinks in clearly marked bottles. There will be a tub for drinks at the start which will be taken to the drink station at the race turn.  

Post-race presentations will take place in the Turners Beach Club clubrooms. There will be free soup, tea and coffee available for runners, volunteers and supporters. There are toilet and shower facilities available.   

This Sunday sees the running of the AJL Lifestyle/AJLYamaha Half Marathon Handicap, one of the “blue ribbon” events of the PCCCT – Running Club season.

The 21.1-kilometre event will commence at the Turners Beach football ground and take competitors to West Ulverstone and back using the cycle/walk tracks in the area.

The terrain is mostly flat but the classic distance is a good test of stamina as that flatness usually means faster running rates so care is needed not to go too hard, too early leading to late struggles.

Entries for this event closed on Sunday and a very competitive field of runners will vie for the victory.

Choosing the likely winner is not easy, but based on his run in the recent 25-kilometre Ironman when he finished fifth, Daniel Yaxley will have a second-to-none chance.

Yaxley doesn’t have a lot of starts with the Club, choosing to specialise in the longer events, and he will be very well suited here.

His biggest danger could be Troy Donald who also ran well in the Forth Ironman but has since also displayed great form in the 13.5-kilometre race at Gunns Plains, indicating that he is also well suited to the longer races.

Other strong chances include Emma Howard, Andrew Lucas, Christine Wright and David Murton.

The Salty and Stevo Teams 2 x 10.55-kilometre Half Marathon Handicap will be run in conjunction with the main event with both events starting at 9:30.

There will be a nominated time event at 9:00.

This week’s race is a mix of off road, mountain bike trail, gravel road and asphalt

Runners meet at Dial Regional Sports Complex carpark. Start on main driveway footpath, head south along the driveway and turn right onto footpath that follows Sports Complex Road. Cross the driveway of Athletics Track onto the grassy area. Follow fence line to the dog exercise park and cross Sports Complex Road at the marshalled crossing. Follow Sports Complex Rd on left hand side to where runners enter the mountain bike track immediately prior to the intersection.

The course then follows the track for approximately 1.5 km. This section id mainly uphill. While on the track, cross over the Mountain Bike Club carpark driveway. Continue along the bike track following markings to the Montgomery Road carpark. Turn right and follow Montgomery Road on the right-hand side until it ends at Ironcliffe Road. Turn right onto Ironcliffe Road and staying on the right-hand side follow this road back to Sports Complex Road. Turn right onto Sports Complex Road and cross back over to the left-hand side at the marshal point. Backtrack along the grass area, through the Athletics Track carpark to the Dial Sports Complex driveway. Cross the driveway following the path. Where the path ends adjacent to the Golf Clubhouse continue on the road on the left-hand side down to the intersection with Dial Road. Turn left onto Dial Road and follow this road on the left-hand side back to Recreation Drive. Turn left into and stay on the left of Recreation Drive. Follow this road and finish in front of the Dial Park Community Pavilion.

Safety warnings:
This course takes in 1.5 km of technical uphill track.
On narrow sections of the track be courteous and allow faster runners to pass by stepping to the left of the track.
Trail running shoes are recommended but at a minimum wear shoes to get muddy in as the course will be wet and muddy in sections. Please be careful not to slip.
Recommend runners do not use sunglasses as there are exposed roots and rocks on the track.
This course crosses three carparks (Dial Park, Athletics Track, Montgomery Road carparks) and the mountain bike club driveway. Runners should take due care at all times.

Mountain bike riders have been asked not to use the tracks from 9 until 11 but be aware there may still be bikers there.

The PCCCT – Running Club is heading to Penguin this week for the Zenith Wealth 5.3km handicap.

This will be the second time this course has been used after proving very popular last year. The race will start and finish at the Dial Park sporting complex at Penguin. While the first and final parts of the race will be on sealed roads, there will be a tricky section of trail in the middle part, using mountain bike trails on the Dial Range. This section will provide muddy, difficult footing as well as being quite undulating making it both interesting and challenging.

With the season rapidly coming to a climax, many runners who have been close without winning in recent weeks will be keen to take out the victory.

One who will be perfectly suited by the course is Christine Wright.

Wright has displayed consistent form of late, getting closer to winning as the season has progressed. She had “top ten” finishes in the tough Ironman and again last week at Gunns Plains proving she is very fit.

There is a large group of runners with great chances who are also in contention including Andrew Lucas, Steve Tammens, Darlene Jacques, Gerard Lowry and David Murton.

Entries close at 6pm Friday with the race starting at 9:30am.

There will be a nominated time event at 9am.

Runners are reminded that entries for the half-marathon and teams half-marathon close at 11:59pm on Sunday.