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The race commences at the Heybridge (Cuprona) Football ground.

The course takes runners around the outside of ground and then on the road out to the footpath which runs parallel to the highway.

The turn is near the Howth weighbridge, then return via the same route to the finish.

When exiting the ground, please run on the right (east side) of the road and when returning stay on that same side which will now be the left side.

Take care with the uneven footing around the outside of the ground and while on the road to and from the footpath.

Public Health have advised that as of 12:01am Saturday 17 July any person currently in Tasmania who has been in Victoria on or since July 8, and not currently subject to a quarantine requirement, should limit their movement in the community and avoid attendance at public gatherings. You should not attend the race tomorrow if you have been in Victoria since July 8.

The PCCCT returns this Sunday to a course which hasn’t been used for a few years but which was always a popular one – an out-and-back from Heybridge using the footpath beside the Bass Highway, starting at the football ground on River Road.

The event is the Bates Plumbing seven-kilometre handicap, and following the long, hilly Ironman of last week, it will be especially appreciated. No doubt, many of those who competed in that twenty-five kilometre race will still be feeling the effects, so the main chances this week could be those who gave it a miss.

Club handicapper, Pat McMahon, (whose handicap is set by the committee) looks to be the runner to beat. He has been showing great form of late competing in the shorter events, culminating in a close second at West Ulverstone two weeks ago. The extra two kilometres will hold no fears for him.

There are many others, however, who must be strongly considered. Sam Lovatt has been in great form while Jackie Reid and Steve Tammens also finished close up at Ulverstone.

If there was to be a surprise result it could be provided by frontmarker, Dale Lancaster, who is showing continued improvement after missing the first part of the season due to injury.

Entries must be done on-line and close at 6pm on Friday with the race commencing at 9:30.

New members are always welcome and can join at www.pccct.org.

A nominated time event will be held at 9:00.

The race starts at 9:00am on Forth Main Road, Forth. There are changerooms and toilet facilities at the Forth Football Ground (the meeting place) which is a short walking distance away. The race is over 25km and contains two major hilly sections. As the race is on public roads runners are asked run with caution and obey any directions from race officials. Runners must run on the righthand side of the road facing oncoming traffic. Shortly after the start runners turn right onto Wilmot Road, they run about 10 kilometres on Wilmot Road, on the western side of the Forth River, until they are crossed over onto Paloona Road on their left. The race proceeds over the bridge and a hilly section on Paloona Road until Melrose. Here runners turn left onto Bellamy Road. After about three kilometres there are some major hills which take the runners to Forthside. Runners then turn right onto Forthside Road which leads to Forth Road where runners will be crossed over onto the righthand side of the road. Then it is downhill and over the Forth Bridge turning right into the Forth Football Ground for the finish line.

There will be race officials to cross runners at the start of Paloona Road, where Paloona Road meets Bellamy Road, and where Forthside Road meets Forth Road.

There are two drink stations – one on Paloona Road soon after crossing the bridge, and one on top of the hilly section at Forthside. There will be two tubs at the Forth Football Ground for runners to deposit named drink bottles (either name or race number) and gels etc. Due to COVID restrictions there will not be water served in cups at the drink stations. Drinks etc. must be in the tubs by 9:30am as they will be transported to the drink stations at this time. It is strongly recommended runners only take drinks from the designated drink stations.

People following the race in cars are reminded to obey all road rules and be conscious of other road users.

The next event for the PCCCT is the Winkler Electrical Contracting/ Troy Atkins Accounting “Ironman Classic” at Forth.

A long-standing event on the calendar, at twenty-five kilometres it is not as long as the marathon, but is considered by many as the toughest run of the year due to the extremely hilly terrain covered.

Starting at Forth it takes in a circuit in the Forth Valley comprising Wilmot and Paloona Roads to Melrose and return via Forthside Road.

The event best suits fit middle or backmarkers who have proven records over these longer distances and there are several who have entered who have great chances.

Ben Brockman looks to have a second-to-none chance. He is having a much more consistent season and is performing well over shorter distances which don’t suit him as well. He certainly has the training in his legs

Kim Steven needs it long and hilly to bring out his best and he will get that here, while Troy reader has been showing up in the longer races in recent weeks and won’t need to improve much to take this out.

Other top chances include Shaun Batten, Ellen Burgess and Josh Febey.

If there was to be a surprise result it could be provided by John Saltmarsh who loves this event and placed two years ago.

Entries have closed already and the first runner will start at 9:00.

A nominated time event will be held at 9:15.

West Ulverstone 5km

Mass start at Tobruk Park, Helen St.

NB: There is limited parking in Helen Street. Please park in the basketball stadium carpark and walk under the bridge to Tobruk Park

Stay on cement path all the way, under the bridge, beside the river, behind basketball stadium and past legion Park. Heading along Maud St turn right into Braddon St then follow path till you get to a PCCCT finger sign. Follow path behind the tennis courts until you come to the train crossing.

Continue to the end of the track then turn hard right along the road. There will be a finger and a witches hat and another hard right to enter the caravan park entrance.

Cross the train line, take care and turn left and run along Picnic Point Rd until the yellow gate.

There will be a turn point witches hat.  Then return the same way you went out.

This is a shared path so please be mindful of other users.

Care is needed crossing the boat ramp near the basketball stadium.

This Sunday the PCCCT heads to Ulverstone for the Virtual Runs Australia five-kilometre handicap and many members will relish the short event following two tough courses the last two weeks.

The event was originally scheduled for West Beach at Burnie but has been moved due to the UTAS construction work at West Park.

Tobruk Park at West Ulverstone is the meeting place and the event will take competitors on paths west towards the Apex Holiday Park and return.

The race incorporates the Club’s five-kilometre championships, so will be conducted as a mass start with the handicaps being sealed until after the finish.

The women’s competition looks quite open. Lyn Saint-John and Daile Bennett-Moyle look the strongest chances, but Felicity Lovatt, Rachel Young and Ellen Burgess can’t be ruled out of contention. Sam Mawer and Thomas Murton look the strongest chances among the men although Shaun Batten will also be a contender.

The handicapped race could throw up a surprise winner, but on recent form Sam Lovatt must start favourite. He has consistently figured in the top few placings and will be fresh after having to miss last week’s tough twelve-kilometre event.

Entries close at 6:00pm on Friday with the gun firing at 9:30.

A nominated time event will be held at 9:00.

Members are reminded that entries for the following week’s Ironman Classic close at11;59pm on Sunday.