Hayden Bishop

The first of the season’s major races will be run this Sunday, with the running of the High on Penguin Mountain Classic 16.5km Handicap.

Starting at Burnie Park, the course heads up via West Park Grove, Mooreville and West Moorville, to finish at Ridgley. It has a reputation for being a very tough course, with over 400m of elevation gained over the distance. It typically has suited the stronger runners, who can maintain a solid pace over the incline.

One such runner will be the backmarker, Thomas Murton. Whilst being fast, he also thrives on tough courses. Examples include multiple first placings at Gone Nuts, as well as a strong time of two hours and thirty-one minutes at the Easter Marathon this year. He always performs well in these big races and will be one to watch, storming through the field from the back mark.

A previous winner, Ellen Burgess, is also a strong chance. She has proven herself on this course before and wouldn’t surprise if she scored herself another victory in this race.

Brendan Burr and Nigel Baptist have recorded good results all season and could bring out a winning performance with the excitement of a bigger race.

Others to watch are the “Railton-Rocket” Gerard Lowry, and Ben Brockman.

Entries have now closed, with the first runner away at 9:30am. Handicaps, as well as the Race Brief, will be posted on Friday at 6pm.

Whilst entries have closed for this race, entries are open for the Devonport 10km the following week. New members are always welcomed and encouraged to check out the website. www.pccct.org

There will be no nominated time event this week.

NOTE: There is a typo in the title of the race on the handicaps. The distance is listed as 9km, but the race is 6km. The handicaps are correct for 6km, it is just a typo in the title.

COURSE

Course begins on Fernglade Road outside top entrance to Pony Club. Proceed down the road on the left hand side to the bottom entrance to Fernglade and turn left before the bridge into Fernglade itself. Continue on the road, past the picnic area and onto the track. Follow track right through to the pumphouse. Turn around large witches hat and proceed back up the road towards top entrance. Turn left about half-way up onto the track which will take you back down to bottom gate.

From here you will be directed up the road on the western side (now right hand side) past starting point and up to the second turning witches hat. Turn around and come back down the same side of the road to be directed into Fernpark Pony Club at the top gate. Witches hats and painted arrows will guide you on a 2km loop of the pony club to finish in front of the clubrooms.

NOTES

As per usual when running on the road please remember safety is your responsibility also. Please follow the directions of all marshals. Last year some runners crossed the road prematurely, meaning we were running on both sides of the road and creating a potential traffic hazard. Please stay on western side of road until final crossing at the marshal.

As this course is in the bush with dappled light and variable terrain, including roots and leaf litter, please avoid running with sunglasses and run with your eyes as well as your legs.

The PCCCT heads to Fernglade this Sunday for the running of the Wilkinson’s Pharmacy 6km Handicap. The race will be starting later, at 1pm, to allow runners a chance to pay respects to the ANZAC’s in the morning.

A familiar and popular course, it consists of sealed road, trail, and grass, with some hills thrown in for good measure. If we get some rain through the week, it will make for a challenging but enjoyable run for members.

Ellen Burgess looks to be a good chance of taking line honours, having recorded a strong run into fifth at Wynyard last week. A member of the committee, Ellen puts equally as much hard work and dedication into her running as her position in the club. This course will suit her well. 

Dominic Troughton wouldn’t surprise if he broke the tape first. He again featured on the podium last week and must be very close to securing a win.

New member Sam Mawer impressed on debut with the club, recording the fastest time of the day and finishing in fourth. If he can reproduce his form on that day, a good result certainly awaits.

Others to watch are Jason Scott and David Wright.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and close at 6pm Friday. Entries for the Burnie to Ridgley Mountain Classic are also open and will close midnight Sunday. New members are always welcome and encouraged to check our website. www.pccct.org

The nominated time event will start at 12:30pm.

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.

Notes:

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.
5. If you are not feeling well, especially if you have cold/flu systems, on Sunday morning please don’t come to the run.

The 2021 PCCCT season heads west this Sunday for the Findex Wynyard 8.5km Handicap, returning to a favourite of the new courses introduced last season.

The out-and-back course starts at Gutteridge Gardens, utilising the trails and board walks following the Inglis River. The course will suit agile runners, with quick thinking and movement required to take the best line.

Two of the club’s youngest runners, fifteen-year-old Dominic Troughton, and sixteen-year-old Will van Rooyen, will be well suited to this type of running. Both runners impressed last week on the trails in Spreyton, both finishing in the top five. Dominic and Will have recently stepped up to the Handicap events, after being regular features in the nominated time events throughout the years.

Another young charger, Joshua Febey, would not surprise with a win after recording a convincing victory in this race last year. Febey has been placing well this season and seems to enjoy the longer distances.

Last week’s favourite Tony Abel was only thirty-four seconds behind the winner in that race and could easily break the tape.

Others in contention are Shaun Batten, Gerard Lowry, and Adrian Mann, all of whom ran well on the trails last week.

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

The nominated time event will start at 9am.

The PCCCT season resumes after a week off for Easter, heading to the apple orchards for the Spreyton Cider 5km Handicap.

The race will start in a paddock nearby to Spreyton Cider, before heading out into the orchards. This race, consisting of mostly trail running, will be sure to provide plenty of entertainment for runners and spectators. Mud and puddles await if it rains before Sunday.

The shorter distance usually favours the front-markers, and favourite amongst them looks to be Tony Abel. Recording good finishing positions in the three prior races this season, Tony looks to be improving every week.

Young Dominic Troughton impressed at Port Sorell, recording a top three finish. With the potential for improvement from Dominic week to week, a win is certainly within his grasp.

Matthew Lardner produced a strong result at Port Sorell, as well as Brendan Burr. Neither would surprise with a victory this week. 

Sam Lovatt is also a chance, having a strong run at the Easter Marathon on Sunday. If he recovers well, he could be right amongst the action.

To be noted is the later start time of 11am, to allow for members to compete in the Great Train Race earlier Sunday morning.

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

The shorter nominated time event will be held at 10:30am.