Hayden Bishop

The PCCCT’s 2021 season moves on to race 3 this Sunday, heading out to Port Sorell for the Glow Cosmetics 7km Handicap. This is only the second time a race has been conducted on this course, with the inaugural event in 2019 receiving glowing reviews.

The race will start at the Panatana Padling Pool and Family Park in South Esplanade, before crossing the bridge over to the Squeaking Point area. The course consists of sealed roads and sandy trails.

After running second in both races this year, Greg Malley looks hard to beat. Re-joining the club last year after a four-year hiatus, Malley has improved his kilometre rating dramatically over the summer break. With the other big improvers now having recorded a victory, he looks set to join winners list.

Other favourites are also members returning to the club after time away. Tony Abel ran a strong run into third last week and re-joins this year after twelve-years away from the club. Fastest female last week, Daile Bennett-Moyle, also returns this year after four-years away and has improved dramatically over the last few months. Neither of these runners would surprise with a victory.

Joshua Febey and Sam Lovatt both ran strongly at Run Devonport on Sunday and could easily collect themselves a victory.

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

The nominated time event will be held at 9am.

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

The meeting place is at Don Cricket Ground, Don.

We will have a coffee van as well as Pizzirani’s Bambino Food Van in attendance

Please ensure you are at the start line for your posted handicap time. Race start is at 6:00pm.

Welcome to all new members.

Please be aware we are sharing paths with the public and need to give other users due consideration.

The course: The race starts on the cycle/walk track and starts with 855m out and 855m back over the Don River Bridge and along the Waverley Road track.

Continue past the start/finish and follow the track up to the pool carpark. Take the path across the top of the carpark, continue until you enter the bush and take the first path on the left. Stay on this sawdust path until it meets up again with the cycle/walk path at Don College. Follow this around to the right and continue back up to the pool carpark and then back to the start.

Care needed: the sawdust path does have some uneven patches.

Stay after the run for some coffee and great Italian food.
 

Please keep COVIDSafe distance between you and other runners, especially if you are following someone else. Please read our COVIDSafe plan if you haven’t done so. 

Following the successful start of the 2021 season, the PCCCT moves onto Don for the Cradle Coast Sports and Events 7km Handicap.

This year the race is being held on Friday evening which will allow members time to recover for Run Devonport on Sunday.

Starting at the Don Cricket Ground at 6pm, the 7km race is run mostly on sealed tracks. Runners will also have to navigate sections of sawdust in a loop through the bush near the pool.

Favourite to break the tape would be Darlene Jacques, after continuing her fine form of last year through to race one, finishing 3^rd. Darlene has worked hard training with the Everyday Lions group, and has posted many personal bests over the last year. She also recorded a win last year, but her improvement has been so impressive that she could collect herself another victory.

Greg Malley ran a strong race last week and wouldn’t surprise with a victory. Other runners who are a strong chance over this distance are Dale Lancaster, Josh Febey, and Adrian Mann.

Geoff Cassidy also ran an excellent time last week, finishing within a minute of the winner. With a slightly longer race, he also could be right up there with a chance of winning. 

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and will close at 6pm Wednesday.

The nominated time event will be held at 5:30pm.

This course consists of a simple out and back starting in the Wivenhoe Showgrounds.

The race starts in front of the grandstand the western side of the Showgrounds.  The course then exists the NW gate and immediately crosses Pearl St.  The course continues along the left side of Main Rd until River Rd where it heads south for ~30m 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 crosses Fern Glade Rd taking the left side of the path fork, over the small hill and continues to the turnaround at the entrance to Fern Glade Reserve.  On the return, runners will go over the small hill and take the left fork in the path before crossing over Fern Glade Rd.  The course then backtracks to Wivenhoe and the finish chute in the Showgrounds.

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 four 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. 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.

After a shortened season in 2020 due to COVID-19, the PCCCT will commence a full-length season this Sunday. Our first event of the season is the Burnie SportsPower 5km Handicap. Starting at the Wivenhoe Showgrounds, the out-and-back course heads out to the Fernglade Reserve.

All handicaps have been reset to the start of 2020, allowing the nine winners in last year’s season a chance at a trophy and sash.

The biggest chance out of that group looks to be Jason Scott, who has continued to improve since his win last year. Nick Young and Darlene Jacques are also strong chances, whilst Josh Febey cannot be discounted.

Ellen Burgess and Adrian Mann were unlucky not to break the tape last year and wouldn’t surprise with a victory.

The race will begin at 9:30am with entries closing at 6pm Friday. As entries are online only, runners will need to ensure that they are registered and entered into the race by this time.

The minimum age to run handicapped races is fifteen but nominated time races over a shorter distance are held 30 minutes prior to most races. Runners need to be registered before arriving, however they can enter the race on the day.

New members are most welcome and will be supplied with a race number on the day. Previous members are asked to return their timing chips, as they will not be used for the foreseeable future.