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2016 Feature Race

Mark small

Perfect weather conditions for running greeted the 83 starters who lined up for the 2016 Gowans Motor Group Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race on Sunday. Go marker Liane Hanson set off on the 17.6km journey from outside the Wynyard Post Office at 9:30 with backmarker, Thomas Murton, starting his quest for victory almost an hour later.

The general belief in the PCCCT is that the race starts to get serious once the Cam River has been crossed at Somerset. At this stage 12km has been completed and the main contenders are becoming known. At this stage on Sunday, frontmarker Sarah Hiller was still going strongly in front with David Murton, John Castledine and Stuart Wilson chasing hard.

Ben Hoare, who had started from the third back mark of 54:40 was looking the best chance of the backmarkers. Of the middlemarkers, Dwayne Barry and Adrian Lakeland who started from the same handicap, were running strongly but just behind them race favourite Mark Saint-John was looming ominously.

As West Park was approached, Lakeland had taken the lead only to be caught shortly after by Saint-John. The two then had a titanic struggle over the final kilometre with Saint-John prevailing by just 4 seconds with the fast-finishing Ben Hoare running into third a further 18 seconds back.

Dwayne Barry and Andrew Winkel rounded out the top five with Sarah Hiller hanging on well for seventh to be first female to finish.

Fastest male was Thomas Murton (tenth, 60:34) while Danielle Mitchell (fifteenth, 74:42) was fastest woman.

Saint-John, a teacher at Burnie High School, was exhausted when he finished, having given it his all, but was thrilled to win, having finished second six years ago. His wife, Lyn had become the first (and still only) woman to win the race when she was first across the line the following year. They are now the first husband/wife combination to have both won the race.

A member of the PCCCT committee, Saint-John is a popular clubman and his win was very well received.

Race 23 Feature Race 2016 actual

Race 23 Feature Race 2016 Fastest to Slowest

By Rod Viney, ago

Feature Race 2016

The main race for the PCCCT each year is the Gowans Motor Group Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race. The event starts in front of the Wynyard Post Office and finishes 17.6 kilometres later with a lap of west Park Oval.

The fact that so many runners are now peaking, the flatness of the course and the unusual distance make it very difficult to pick a favourite.

The gun will fire for go-marker Liane Hanson at 9:30 with the back marker, Club champion Thomas Murton starting his quest for victory 57 minutes and 40 seconds later. There are 89 entries in total.

Of the front markers, the strongest chances appear to be Sarah Hiller, Alan Bakes, and Anna Murton with Anna probably the best chance.

The favourites among the middle-markers would be Gerard Leary, Wayne Wiseman, Peter Elphinstone and Adrian Lakeland. Elphinstone won comfortably at Gunns Plains last Sunday and won’t be rehandicapped for that win until after the Feature Race. He will be very hard to beat.

The winner may well come from the strong and in-form backmarkers. Any of Mark Saint-John, Matthew Atkins, Brad Taylor, Bryan Tuit or Thomas Murton could easily breast the tape.

In a race full of chances, one thing is certain: it will be an exciting event with the likely winner not known until the finish is in sight.

By Rod Viney, ago

2016 Gowans Motor Group Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race

Feature Race Handicaps 2016

Calcutta 2016

The Gowans Motor Group Wynyard-Burnie Feature Race to be run on

Sunday 14 August 2016.

  1. The Calcutta Draw

This will take place at the Burnie Surf Lifesaving Club at 7:00pm on Tuesday 9 August. The result of the draw will be published in “The Advocate” and on the PCCCT website.

  1. The Calcutta Auction

This will take place at the Burnie Surf Lifesaving Club commencing at 7:00pm on Friday 12 August.

  1. The Feature Race (17.6 km)

The race starts at 9:30 am in Goldie Street, Wynyard and finishes with a lap of West Park Oval.

Be at West Park Oval between 8:00 – 8:30 am if you need to arrange a lift to the start in Wynyard.

There is no nominated time event.

  1. Post-race Luncheon and Presentations

The post-race luncheon and presentations will be held at the Burnie Surf Lifesaving Club.

The presentations will take place at approximately 1:00 pm.

The club will supply food (sandwiches from Crusty’s) and tea and coffee.

Club members are asked to bring a plate of sweets.

The bar will be open for members to purchase drinks.

By Rod Viney, ago

Pete wins at Gunns Plains

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Burnie runner, Peter Elphinstone, is a prolific winner with the PCCCT. On Sunday he clocked up his eleventh win in the almost 500 runs he has had with the Club since his first race in 1986. His previous win was an 8 kilometre handicap at Fernglade in 2014.

His latest win came in the Brown Family/ Wilson Petroleum Ken Burn Memorial 11 kilometre handicap at Gunns Plains. He credits his success to consistent and varied training with a group of athletes under the watch of Burnie trainer Les Naunton.

Cool but calm conditions greeted the 65 runners who undertook the flat out-and-back course. Frontmarkers, Maggie Prescott, Halina Loudon and Liz Murton led until the final 3 kilometres when Ricky Brown took over the lead. He was then overtaken by the eventual winner before hanging on for sixth.

In an ominous sign for the Feature Race next week, Brad Taylor stormed home from a backmark into second, edging out Dwayne Barry and the very consistent Mark Saint-John.

Adrian Lakeland was an excellent fifth with race favourite Matthew Greenhill in seventh.

Fastest times were Tom Murton (37:02) and Bec O’Garey (48:21)

Earlier the nominated time winners were Isabelle Murchie, Rebecca Taylor and Will van Rooyen.

Race 22 2016 Actual

Race 22 2016 Fastest to Slowest

By Rod Viney, ago

Gunns Plains 11km

The PCCCT heads to Gunns Plains this Sunday for the Kevin Burn Memorial 11 kilometre Handicap, sponsored by Michael and Sandra Wilson Petroleum and the Brown Family.

The race is usually run over a circular course covering both sides of the river but this year, as Marshalls Bridge was lost to the June floods, the course will be a simple out-and-back layout,

It is very flat and fast times are assured, especially as the winner will not be re-handicapped prior to the Feature Race the following weekend.

This looks to be a perfect race for Devonport runner Matthew Greenhill who has been close-up in numerous recent races. He finished seventh at Railton last week and fifth at Burnie the week before. A win would be just reward for his consistency.

Adrian Lakeland has been going under the radar while slowly getting closer. This week could see him break the ribbon.

Wayne Wiseman was getting close to a win before having a few weeks break from the club but ran a great race at Railton which showed he has retained fitness.

Sarah Hiller has also been improving and ran a great race in the Ironman to show the distance won’t be a problem. She should be first female to finish and could beat all the males as well.

The race starts at 10:00 with entries closing at 9:30. There will be nominated time events at 9:05.

By Rod Viney, ago

Ken breaks through at Railton

 

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Cheered on by his family, Burnie runner Ken Troughton broke through for a well-deserved win in the Anvers Confectionery 10 kilometre handicap at Railton on Sunday.

Run over a picturesque circuit course starting and finishing at Goliath Park, the runners have to deal with one difficult climb at the 4 kilometre mark before a fast descent to the finish.

Troughton had been close to a win on multiple occasions recently and was thrilled to finally have the monkey off his back.

This is Troughton’s second season with the club and his first win. He took up running on the recommendation of his masseur, Neville Sweetman, also a club member, at the beginning of last year and has made great improvement culminating in this win. Like many members, Troughton’s family run with the club as well – either in the main race or the nominated time events. His two nephews, Ewan and Isaac have also won races this year.

Chasing him home were Lachlan Barry and Ricky Brown who ran his best race of the year. Both runners now loom as great chances for a win in the next couple of weeks.

Peter Elphinstone and Alan Bakes continued their consistent form to fill the next two placings.

Fastest times were recorded by Tom Murton (34:57) among the men with fastest woman Rebecca O’Garey (44:42)

Earlier the nominated time winners were Catherine Greenhill, Robyn Luttrell and Mary-Lou Troughton.

.Race 21 2016 Actual

Race 21 2016 Fastest to Slowest

By Rod Viney, ago

Anvers Railton 10km

The Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania heads to Railton this Sunday for the Anvers Confectionery 10 kilometre handicap. The picturesque course comprises a circuit which starts at Goliath Park and traverses tracks and country roads including one tough hill at about half way.

With the Feature Race just two weeks away, runners will be looking to test their fitness and some excellent performances can be expected.

After an unlucky run last week Ken Troughton will start favourite. Troughton finished a close fourth being caught with about two hundred metres to run after missing a turn early in the race, and losing valuable seconds. He has also had some other close finishes, including a second just two weeks ago.

Brad Taylor finished hard into third last week from a back mark. The extra distance will suit him perfectly and could see him break through for his first win.

Other runners who have been very consistent and who could easily break the tape include father and son, Dwayne and Lachlan Barry while Anna Murton and Kerrie Murchie could win without surprising.

Entries close at 9:30 with the race commencing at 10:00. There will be nominated time races at 9:05.

Members are reminded that entries for the Feature Race close this Sunday.

By Rod Viney, ago

Aaron wins hilly Hellyer College 5km

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A hilly, slippery course in parklands at the rear of Hellyer College didn’t prevent Smithton runner, Aaron Robertson, from an excellent win in the Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania’s 5 kilometre handicap on Sunday.

Robertson was delighted with the victory which comes in his third season back running after an enforced 8 year lay-off due to a persistent injury. He kept fit during that time with cycling and still cycles regularly as part of his training.

He had won one race previously, in 2003, at Sisters Beach and after taking the lead with only 200 metres to run, hung on to beat Mark Saint-John and Brad Taylor. A gallant Ken Troughton, who must have thought he had the race won until Robertson swept past, finished fourth.

Troughton had lost about half a minute early in the race after missing a turn and must be considered very unlucky.

The course conditions provided a challenge and for many runners the main battle was to stay upright. However, it was enjoyed by most as a break from running on hard surfaces.

Tim Dowling and Tony Wilson ran excellent races to finish seventh and ninth respectively.

Fastest time for the males was recorded by Brad Taylor (20:03) with Michelle D’Monte fastest female in 25:06.

Earlier the nominated time winners were Isabelle Murchie, Ashley Fehlberg, Lucy van Rooyen and Brian Paine.

Race 20 2016 Actual

Race 20 2016 Fastest to Slowest

By Rod Viney, ago

Wilkinson’s Pharmacy 6km Trail Run

The third in the series of four trail races will be the Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania’s next event.

The Wilkinson’s Pharmacy 6 kilometre handicap will be conducted in the park area near Hellyer College at Burnie. The course is completely on unsealed areas and provides a hilly challenge for competitors.

Those that completed the marathon last week will no doubt have tired legs still, so the main chances should come from those who undertook the much easier 5km handicap and who will handle the hilly course.

Peter Elphinstone has been slowly creeping up the places each week and was seen running a very nice fifth last week. Elphinstone is normally travelling on the mainland this time of the year so will want to take advantage of being able to compete by pushing hard for the win.

Andrew Bates and Andrew Aichberger are two of the large group of young runners competing with the club and showing terrific promise. Both have been close-up in several races and a win by either would be well deserved. They could well fight out the race.

Ken Troughton ran an excellent second last week and will want to emulate his nephews, Isaac and Ewen Troughton, who have both won races this year. Rebecca O’Garey also must be given a great chance and a win would not surprise.

The race starts at 10:00 with entries closing at 9:30. There will be nominated time events of 2-3 kilometres at 9:05.

By Rod Viney, ago