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Race 5 Somerset, Somerset Pharmacy 10km Handicap Report

Race five of the PCCCT – Running Club season, the Somerset Pharmacy ten-kilometre handicap, was run Sunday on a tough hilly course utilising Somerset’s Back Cam Road.

Numbers were a little down due to other events but still a good-sized field fronted for the longest and toughest event of the season to date and it was held in excellent running conditions.

The race proved a triumph for Burnie’s Ellen Burgess who won this event for an amazing third time, with the other victories coming in 2015 and 2018. Clearly, she is well-suited by longer, hilly courses as her other Club win was in the 2017 Burnie to Ridgley Mountain Classic.

Burgess credits her strength on such courses to mixing her running training with some boxing, cycling and trail-running.

She had a reasonably comfortable margin to spare over Felicity Lovatt, who continued her recent excellent form, and Gerard Lowry.

Other eye-catching performances were recorded by Simon Gates and Steve Tammens, while Chris Talbot and Troy Donald also ran promisingly.  

Fastest man was Josh Febey (40:27), while Lovatt was the fastest female (47:13) and was sixth fastest overall.

Nominated time winners were Tracey Turner, Chad Burr and Brian Paine.

Runners are advised that entries are now open for this year’s Burnie to Ridgley Mountain Classic which takes place on Sunday May 2. Entries will close Sunday 24th April at 11:59pm

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 5 Somerset, Somerset Pharmacy 10km Handicap Results

Race 5 Somerset Line PositionDownload
Race 5 Somerset Fastest to SlowestDownload

Well done to the 30 starters in the Somerset Pharmacy 10km Handicap at Somerset this morning.

Congratulations to Ellen Burgess, who won from Felicity Lovatt and Gerard Lowry.

Fastest male was Josh Febey while fastest female was Felicity Lovatt.

Nominated time winners were Tracey Turner, Chad Burr and Brian Paine.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 5 Somerset, Somerset Pharmacy 10km Handicaps, Race Brief, and Map

Race 5 Somerset HandicapsDownload

The race starts at 9.30am from the Pirates’ Park, Murchison Highway, beside the Cam River. There are toilet facilities at the park. The race is an out and back course over 10km and contains hilly sections. As the race is on public roads runners are asked run with caution and obey any directions from race officials. All runners please read carefully and note changes to previous years. The race heads south on the Murchison Highway. Runners run on the left-hand verge of the highway. After about one and a half kilometres runners turn left onto Back Cam Road. There will be a race official at this intersection who will cross runners to the right-hand side of Back Cam Road where they will run to the turn at the 5km mark. There will be a race official at the turn to cross runners. Runners return on the right-hand side of Back Cam Road. There will be a race official at the intersection of the Murchison Highway to guide runners around the corner where they will continue on the right-hand side of highway. Runners run one and a half kilometres down the highway to finish where the race started. Post-race presentations will take place in the car park at the Pirates’ Park.  

By Hayden Bishop, ago

Race 5 Somerset, Somerset Pharmacy 10km Handicap Preview

Following two trail runs, the PCCCT – Running Club returns to the roads this week with the running of the Somerset Pharmacy ten-kilometre handicap at Somerset.

The out-and-back course starts by the Cam River and climbs the Murchison Highway to Back Cam Road and then continues on that hilly route until the half way mark.

This is the longest and toughest run of the season to date but with four runs under their belts, members should be ready to take on the challenge

This looks like a good opportunity for one of the newer Club members in Ross Smith.

Smith only had one run with the Club last year – the challenging half-marathon – when he finished a very good ninth off a tough mark. He has returned in great form this year, with a fifth at Wivenhoe and a fourth at Port Sorell. He won’t need to improve much to take this out.

Felicity Lovatt also looks to have a very strong chance. She will be well suited to this course and has been doing some big kilometres since returning from a long break with injury.

However, there is a group of runners who have been close in most of the early season runs, including Ben Young, Ben Brockman, Ellen Burgess and Steven Tammens, and any could win without surprising.

Entries must be made online at www.pccct.org  and close 6:00pm Friday with the race beginning at 9:30. New runners are always welcome.

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

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 4 Wynyard, Findex 8.5km Handicap Report

Members headed to Wynyard for Sunday’s race, the Findex 8.5-kilometre handicap taking in tracks on both sides of the Inglis River with the start/finish in picturesque Gutteridge Gardens.

The constant undulations made the course a tough one and more likely to suit backmarkers. This proved to be the case and the race turned out to be an exciting one with co-markers, Josh Febey and Ben Young, having a great personal battle as they worked their way through the field. Young led Febey for most of the race but Febey finished more strongly to cross the line first and take out his fourth victory with the Club.

It was also his second win over this course, having won when it was used in the COVID-shortened. 2020 season.

Febey credited his victory with having competed in his first carnival series over the ‘21/’22 summer, gaining more leg speed and losing some weight. He has also changed his training to include more hill work.

The consistent Jason Scott was third, just in front of Ellen Burgess, who again showed her liking for this course, Ben Brockman and Jason Fehlberg.

Fehlberg was the fastest male (35:14), while fastest female was Isabelle Sharman (37:59) which made her the ninth fastest overall.

Other runners to record good performances were Steven Tammens, Felicity Lovatt and Kelly Baxter while young first-starter, Rhodry Robinson, ran a very promising race.

Earlier, nominated time winners were Paige Aitken, Brian Paine and Chad Burr.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 4 Wynyard, Findex 8.5km Handicap Results

Race 4 Wynyard Line PositionDownload
Race 4 Wynyard Fastest to SlowestDownload

NOTE: Due to a starting error, three runners were sent off one minute earlier than their posted handicap. This has been adjusted in the results to have the runners starting from their correct handicap. Therefore finishing positions listed on results may be different to where you finished at the race.

Well done to the 59 starters in the Findex 8.5km Handicap at Wynyard this morning. Congratulations to Josh Febey, who won from Ben Young and Jason Scott.

Fastest male was Jason Fehlberg (35:14) and fastest female Isabelle Sharman (37:59).

Nominated Time winners were Paige Aitken, Brian Paine, and Chad Burr.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 4 Wynyard, Findex 8.5km Handicaps, Race Brief, and Map

Race 4 Wynyard HandicapsDownload

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.

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.

By Hayden Bishop, ago

A message from your Handicappers…

Handicapping runners is a daunting task, endeavouring to be fair and just to all competitors.

A Handicapper is appointed at our Annual General Meeting. It is a voluntary position and it requires a considerable amount of time dedicated to the task each and every week.

It should be noted that there are notes on the PCCCT Website (found here) in reference to Handicapping. That article stipulates that each and every handicap is at the Handicapper’s discretion which means no other person will have a say in handicaps.

A Base Handicap is allotted to each runner over a 5 km distance. That handicap is just a guide to set handicaps for a particular race which enables adjustments to be made taking in all scenarios as outlined on the Website. In essence your handicap may vary from week to week .

If a runner is competing at his/her best and doesn’t take the opportunity of winning when it arises you may miss out in obtaining that accolade as other competitors may have a better opportunity going forward . (No holding back or you might miss the boat)

A note of interest. We endeavour to get 30 runners within 3 minutes of the finish time each week. 

Your Handicappers,

Pat McMahon

Greg Smith

By Hayden Bishop, ago

Race 4 Wynyard, Findex 8.5km Handicap Preview

The PCCCT – Running Club heads west this Sunday for the Findex 8.5km Handicap at Wynyard, returning for a third time to a course that is rapidly becoming one of the Club favourites.

The out-and-back course starts at Gutteridge Gardens, utilising the trails and board walks along both sides of the Inglis River so no road-running is required. The course will suit agile runners, with quick thinking and movement required as the course is windy and undulating.

One runner who fits the bill perfectly is Aaron Robertson. After missing the first race of the season, Robertson returned with a good run at Don and then improved to finish eighth last week at Port Sorell. He will also be suited by the extra distance and could easily break the tape.

Ben Young missed the Port Sorell race and so retains his good handicap which, no doubt, he will be keen to take advantage of here.

Ross Smith looks to be another strong chance. He has two top ten finishes under his belt this year and will be keen to break through.

Felicity Lovatt impressed in her only run this year returning after an injury and will look the winner at some stage while first year runner Allison Goodwin has impressed with her efforts to date.

Others to keep an eye on include Josh Febey, Ellen Burgess and Liam Burley.

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

The main race will commence at 9:30am while the nominated time event will start at 9.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 3 Port Sorell, The Trend Shed 7km Handicap Report

Race three of the PCCCT – Running Club’s season was run at Port Sorell on Sunday.

The The Trend Shed seven-kilometre handicap is a loop course run mostly on scenic bush tracks although there is a road section in the middle part of the race. The event proved very popular with a good field attending, including nine first time Club runners.

In his third season with the Club, Devonport athlete Anthony McCullagh broke through for his first victory. This followed an impressive fourth on a similar course last week at Don.

McCullagh is showing great improvement in his form this year as he has begun running with the Meercroft Park training group. This has meant that instead of just doing consistent slower pace runs, he is now undertaking interval training, tempo runs and hill work. His aim now is to continue his improvement and remain competitive for the remainder of the season.

He had a comfortable margin of 29 seconds to the fast-finishing second-placed Ben Brockman, while the consistent Jason Scott ran into third ahead of Ross Smith and Josh Febey.

Felicity Lovatt made a promising return from injury with a strong run into sixth while debutant Liam Burley ran from the third back mark to finish a good seventh.

Evan Brett was the fastest male (24:15) with Isabelle Sharman recording fastest of the women (29:08) in her first run with the Club.

Earlier the nominated time winners were Lachie Riley, Brian Paine and Howard Crispin.

By Rod Viney, ago