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Our races start at 9:30, unless otherwise advised.

The race starts on corner of Pearl and Ready St and follows Pearl St to Main Rd.  The course continues along the left side of Main Rd until River Rd where it heads south for ~200m 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 does a small loop to turnaround and return to the Showgrounds.  The finish chute will be inside the showgrounds in front of the main grandstand.

Safety 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 two 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. Along Main Rd just off Pearl St building works have encroached on the l footpath.  Runners need to take care through this short section where we will need to run on the road.

4. 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.

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The 2022 season of the Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania gets underway this Sunday with the Burnie Sports Power 5km handicap commencing at Wivenhoe Showground. The course takes competitors to Fernglade Reserve and return.

Picking a winner is very difficult as it is unclear how much training runners have been doing over the summer.

The shorter distance tends to suit front and middlemarkers and there are several who missed a win last year despite being close and who will be keen to get a victory under the belt early on.

One competitor that will be well suited is Steven Tammens while Ken Troughton and Rhian Miles can’t be discounted.

Danielle Newell should be getting back to her best form and that would be good enough to take this out. Among the backmarkers Mark Saint-John and Gerard Lowry will be strong contenders while Josh Febey is always a chance.

The race will begin at 9:30 with all entries to be made on-line on the Club’s website. They close at 6pm this Friday. Membership registrations for the new season will also need to be done at the same time.

The minimum age to run in the handicapped races is fifteen, but nominated time events over shorter distances and open to all ages, are also held. Those intending to compete in these need to register for membership on-line but can enter on Sunday by 9am.

New runners are always welcome.

The 2022 PCCCT – Running Club season commences this Sunday with a 5km handicap at Wivenhoe.

The Club will conduct 26 races across the North West Coast from Stanley to Port Sorell over a range of distances and courses to challenge competitors but also allow beginners to find their feet.

Most races are between 5 and 10 kilometres but there are also longer, tougher runs with the Greg and Dianne Woodhouse Marathon – the longest continuously conducted marathon in Australia – to be held on May 29 while the Wynyard-Burnie Feature Race, will be held as the last race on September 11.

Last year team relays were run in conjunction with both the marathon and half-marathon for the first time and were every popular so they have been retained and a new 4 by 5km relay has been added.

Most races are run on quiet country roads and or/paths but there are also some trail runs for those who prefer off road courses.

Races take place on Sunday mornings, with most starting at 9:30.

They are all handicapped which allows for runners of all abilities to be in with a chance of crossing the line first and taking home the prize money, trophy and sash.

The popular nominated time events return and these 2 to 4 kilometre events will be held thirty minutes before the main races. These provide a run for those under 15, the threshold age for the handicapped events, or any runners just preferring a shorter event.

Membership registrations and race entries must be done on-line at www.pccct.org where the full programme and further information can be found. New members are always welcome.

This Sunday sees the running of the Devonport/Burnie Toyota/Wild Ride Cycles Wynyard to Burnie Feature race.

This event, which is the richest and most prestigious of the season, is run over 17.6 kilometres, starting outside the post office and ends with a lap of West Park oval giving spectators a good view of the finish. The first runner away, Brett Riley, will commence his journey at 9:30 with the winner expected to finish at around 11:15

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.

The best of the frontmarkers looks to be Darlene Jacques who will be second runner away and prove very hard to catch while Kathy Franks also has a strong chance.

Best of the middlemarkers look to be Steven Tammens, John Saltmarsh, Nigel Baptist, Gerard Lowry and Rhian Miles. Miles especially will be very hard to beat after great recent results.

Any of several backmarkers would not surprise and be deserving winners. Mark Saint-John, Bryan Tuit, Lukas Pilkington, Shaun Batten and Tom Murton are all top chances but co-markers Ben Brockman and Josh Febey look to be the two most likely to take the victory and could run together the whole way before contesting a sprint finish on the oval.

Following the race there will be a luncheon at The Point for members and their families.

There will be no nominated time event this week.