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NB: This will be a sealed handicap mass start event. All runners will start together and for the handicapped race handicaps will be applied to elapsed times to determine the placegetters.

Also 12, 13 and 14 year old nominated time runners may run in this event starting off at the rear of the field.

This week the PCCCT heads to Burnie for the Fish Frenzy five kilometre handicap and many members will relish the short event following the twenty-five kilometres of last week.

The course starts at West Beach and is an out and back course to Cooee, utilising the board walks and footpaths.

To make this event  more interesting, the committee has decided that it will be a mass start. The handicaps will be applied after the race to determine the winner and placegetters. The race also incorporates the Club’s five kilometre championships, so with all runners starting together, the winners of those, male and female, will be those first over the line.

The women’s competition should see a close contest between Lyn Saint-John, Natasha Mapley and Amie Bramich. The latter two had a great battle last week and after starting together were only separated by nine seconds. Brian Lyons and Thomas Murton look the strongest chances among the men although Brad Taylor will also be a contender.

The handicapped race could throw up a surprise winner. Among those who have shown good form recently and will be strong contenders are Mary-Lou Troughton, Tim Dowling, Michael Bates and Andrew Hay.

Entries close at 9:30 with the gun firing at 10:00. Members are reminded to wear their numbers and timing chips. New runners are always welcome and this would be a good race to commence running with the PCCCT.

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

2019 Ironman Classic handicaps (Please note: Phil McConnon was omitted from the handicaps originally published).

The next event on the PCCCT calendar is the Burnie Trophy Centre/ Troy Atkins Accounting “Ironman Classic” at Forth.

One of the blue-ribbon events 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 backmarkers who have proven records over these longer distances and there are three who could fight out the finish.

Hayden Bishop is in wonderful form and ran fourth in this event last year. Starting just behind him will be Ewen Troughton who has two top ten finishes in the last two weeks while Brad Taylor, will be very hard to hold off. He finished second in last year’s marathon and hasn’t managed a win since.

The second backmarker off 92 minutes is Brian Lyons who could also win without shocking.

Other top chances include Amie Bramich, who won two races last year but has improved further, while Chris Talbot will start towards the front of the field and be hard to catch.

Entries have closed with the first runner starting at 9:00.

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

A tough task lies in wait for members his week as the PCCCT heads to Burnie for the Paine Family ten kilometre handicap.

Starting at the Burnie Council depot at Three Mile Line, runners complete a circuit course taking in the many hills of Mooreville and West Mooreville Roads.

Although challenging it is very popular and this year in particular will be well attended as the Club celebrates with the Paine Family as they sponsor this event for the fiftieth time – a remarkable achievement.

With the season now half completed, those runners who have been thereabouts but not able to break through for a win will be keen for a victory soon. Certainly most will now be at peak fitness.

Following her great second last week, Judy Ray will be a top chance. She has gradually been sneaking up in the placings and the tough course will pose no threats.

Ewen Troughton finished very strongly at Fernglade into fourth and the extra distance will suit him better. He will need to beat his brother, Isaac, who missed last week but has been in great form.

David Murton, a frontmarker who loves longer distances, will prove hard to catch and will lead faster runners a “merry dance”.

Others with strong chances are Josh Febey, Mary-Lou Troughton and Michelle D’Monte.

Entries close at 9:30 with the race starting at 10:00.

The nominated time “Feature Race” will be held at 9:15 with extra prizes provided by the Paine Family.

The next race in the PCCCT season is another of the popular off-road trail runs when members will meet at Fernglade for The Wilkinson’s Pharmacy six kilometre handicap.

The course starts at the Pony Club grounds and consists of a circuit in Fernglade followed by another in the vicinity of the grounds.

With all the wet weather of recent days, there are sure to be many muddy, slippery patches to test the sure-footedness of competitors.

It will be interesting to see how those who completed the marathon last Sunday back up for this shorter event. A runner who didn’t run last week and who looks perfectly suited here is Isaac Troughton.

Very capable over all distances, Troughton particularly enjoys off-road conditions and the hills will also be to his liking. He has several placings this year, the latest  being at Penguin over similar terrain when he was a very close second. In addition, he was third in this race last year.

Young runners, Josh Febey and Andrew Bates, also look well suited and wins for both are overdue. Febey in particular has had several placings and a win would be well deserved.

Other chances look to be Hayden Bishop, Amie Bramich and Anna Murton. If there is to be surprise, it could come from Michelle d’Monte or Ellen Elphinstone.

Entries will close at the normal time of 9:30, with the race starting at 10:00.

A nominated time event will be conducted at 9:05.