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Rod Viney

Race 1: Burnie Sports Power 5km at Wivenhoe

The Professional Cross Country Club of Tasmania’s season got underway on Sunday with the running of the Burnie Sports Power 5 kilometre handicap at Wivenhoe.

The race was taken out by Evan Brett who was thrilled with his win, his second with the club. He was very fit having trained especially for the Cadbury half marathon on January, where he recorded a strong personal best.

The out and back course to Fernglade made use of the new footpath which provided great conditions underfoot.

A good field, considering the long weekend, gathered to hear the starter’s orders with the gun firing shortly after 10:00 am.

Virtual go-marker, Stuart Greenhill, led the runners away but was overtaken by Sally Atkinson after a couple of kilometres.

Backmarkers, Thomas Wilson, Brad Taylor, Bryan Tuit and Doug Hamerlok started making strong progress and all looked possible winners at different stages.

On the return trip it appeared that Matthew Rolls and Kyle Groenewege may fight out the finish – if they could catch Atkinson. However with a flying finish, it was Brett who was to take the lead within the shadows of the post, denying Atkinson, with Thomas Wilson finishing third.

Hamerlok took out fastest time for the men with Natasha Mapley fastest female.

Next week’s run, which starts at the Cooee Hall, will be on Saturday due to Run Devonport on Sunday.

race01corrected results

By Rod Viney, ago

2017 Annual General Meeting

This year’s AGM will be held, as usual, at Ulverstone Surf Life Saving Club.

It will be on Tuesday 5th December at 7:00pm.

Below is the link to the nomination form for committee positions. All positions are declared vacant, except for three general committee positions where the incumbents have completed the first year of a two year term.

You may also use the links below to access the Agenda, the 2016 AGM minutes and a suggested constitutional change re membership.

Please considering standing/nominating for the committee.

(Rod)

Nomination for Committee Form

2017 AGM Agenda

MinutesAGM2016

Membership

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 25: Big Six

Following the excitement of the Feature Race last weekend, club members return to Burnie this week for the West Park Grove/Big Six 6 kilometre handicap.

The race takes a circuit course from the Howe St Netball Centre and includes the steep hike up Brickport Road.

With only this and two more races this season, members who have not had a win this year will be keen to break the tape.

Following a top run for third two weeks ago, Kelly Baxter followed up with a great eighth in the Feature Race and looks to be the pick. After being close to winning several times early in the year, she took some time off to freshen up and it has worked a treat.

Evan Brett looks the main danger. He has finished fourth in his last two runs and the tough hill will suit him down to the ground.

Front markers Christine Wright and Mary-Lou Troughton will be hard to catch, while if there is a surprise winner it could be any of Peter Sartori, Lorraine Shepherd or Amie Bramich

Entries close at 9:30 with the race beginning at 10:30. Nominated time events will be held at 9:10.

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 24: Gowans Motor Group Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race.

Lyn Saint-John

The fiftieth running of the PCCCT Gowans Motor Group 17.6 kilometre Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race was run in good conditions on Sunday.

Penguin runner, Lyn Saint-John has triumphed winning her second Feature Race after victory in 2010. Since then she has had to overcome illness to finally regain her best form. She was able to hold off a quickly closing Bryan Tuit, who ran from the third back handicap, with pre-race favourite, Chris Purton in third.

Nearly ninety starters gathered to hear the starter’s orders before go-marker John Lucas got underway at 9:30.

With a few kilometres to run, Eric Hughes was in front but soon after he was overtaken by Rick Ferguson who had Kelly Baxter in tow.

Purton was looking ominous but Saint-John had him in her sights. Further back Evan Brett and Bryan Tuit were finishing strongly.

With a kilometre to go, Purton hit the lead but shortly after Saint-John was in front with Tuit the only danger but unable to reel her in.

A brilliant run by Brian Lyons gave him fastest time for the men while Saint-John was fastest woman.

2017 Feature Race – Placings

Feature Race – Fastest to Slowest

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 23: Kevin Burn Memorial, Michael Wilson and Brown Family @ Gunns Plains

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Penguin runner, Chris Purton, has won his second race for the season, taking out the eleven kilometre Kevin Burn Memorial at Gunns Plains on Sunday.

Run over a scenic circuit course, the race is a favourite among club members.

Despite having had three rehandicaps due to his first win and subsequent placings, the tremendous effort that Purton has put into his training, plus trimming off some kilograms, has had its reward.

Purton also credits football umpiring on Saturdays and competitive co-markers with improving his performances.

He was chased hard all the way by Owen Thomas with Kelly Baxter hanging on well to finish third.

Evan Brett and Isaac Troughton impressed with strong runs from back marks, to finish fourth and fifth respectively while Christine Wright, Ann Horton and Mary-Lou Troughton all finished in the top ten.

Other runners turning in promising efforts for the big Wynyard to Burnie Feature Race this Sunday included Michael Purton and Hayden Bishop.

Fastest time was recorded by Jason Fehlberg for the men while Kim Reader was the fastest woman.

Nominated time winners were Robyn, Trinity and Natalie Luttrell and Brian Paine.

Race 23 2017 Placings – Gunns Plains 11km

Race 23 2017 Fastest to Slowest – Gunns Plains 11km

By Rod Viney, ago

Race 23: Kevin Burn Memorial, Michael Wilson and Brown Family @ Gunns Plains

This Sunday the PCCCT heads to Gunns Plains for the Kevin Burn Memorial, Michael Wilson and Brown Family 11km handicap.

Runners will be pleased that this year the circuit course can be used again following the rebuilding of Marshalls Bridge. There is some undulation on the western side of the river but no real hills meaning that some good times should be recorded.

This is the last event before the Wynyard-Burnie Feature Race, Very keen racing is ensured as members will be fine-tuning for the following week with the knowledge that the winner will not be rehandicapped until after that big event.

A runner who will be well suited to the distance is Isaac Troughton. He has been showing good form lately and will love these conditions. He will be challenged by John Saltmarsh who is running consistently and showing promise.

Backmarkers Bryan Tuit and Brad Taylor will be hard to hold out. If a middle-marker is to win it could be any of Chris Purton, Ricky Cross or Lyn Saint-John, while the best of the front-markers looks to be David Wright.

By Rod Viney, ago