News

This Sunday runners head to the Berry Patch at Turners Beach for the Rod and Judith Priestley/Berry Patch seven-kilometre handicap. This year there is a slight change to the course with runners completing two 3.5-kilometre laps rather than an out-and-back course. This means competitors will come through the start/finish at the half-way mark, giving good viewing opportunities to spectators.

The day will be tinged with sadness as co-sponsor, Rod Priestley, lost his battle with cancer just two months ago.

As the season nears its end, there can only be three more winners this year, and there are many runners who have been performing consistently well and who will be keen to be one of the three.

One of the best chances looks to be Club veteran, Greg Smith who has been showing gradual improvement as he regains full fitness after a knee operation.

Jason Scott has shown up week after week without breaking through and he could do so here.

Others who have been close to a win and could break the tape include David Murton, John Badcock, Alison Ridderhoff and Ben Young.

New runners are welcome and must register for membership and enter by 6pm Friday on the Club website www.pccct.org.

The race will start at 9:30am while nominated time events will be held at 9:00.

Runners are reminded that entries for the Club’s premier event, the Simons Carpets Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race to be held on September 11 close this Sunday at 11:59pm.

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.