Rod Viney

2017 King of the Mountains Handicaps

Race twelve of the PCCCT season which takes place this Sunday, is regarded by many as the toughest of the season.

The High on Penguin “King of the Mountains” is a 16.5 kilometre test of character as well as fitness and strength.

Starting at the Burnie Park, the course takes runners via West Park Grove, Moorville and West Mooreville Roads, to the finish at the Ridgley Oval.

On recent form, Keegan Powell looks like starting favourite. He has been placed several times this year, including last week and looks very well suited by the toughness and the distance.

His main danger looks to be Ellen Elphinstone, who is getting fitter and ran a great race to finish sixth last week.

Kim Reader looks another strong chance among the women, while Kelly Baxter can be in the finish if she doesn’t go too hard early on.

Paul Birch loves these longer distances while the Troughton boys, Isaac and Ewen relish the hills.

Others with undeniable chances look to be backmarker Brad Taylor, Michael Purton and Patrick McMahon.

This Sunday sees the second of the PCCCT’s “Blue Ribbon” events with the running of the Total Performance Sports/Physica ten kilometre City of Devonport handicap.

The prestigious event starts and finishes at Devonport Bluff and takes an out-and-back route to the Don Reserve.

Although the distance tends to favour middle and back markers, the relative flatness of the course also brings “fronties” in to contention.

One of these who put in a big effort recently in the ten kilometre event at Stowport is the rapidly improving. Brett Riley. He finished fifth in that event and won’t need to improve much to take this out on an easier course.

Keegan Powell won this event last year and will be keen to go back-to-back. He knows the course very well as he trains on it regularly. His parents, Aileen and Stephen, are also possibilities for the victory or at least to make up the quinella.

Kelly Baxter, Hayden Bishop and Ellen Elphinstone also finished close-up at Stowport and have strong chances. Bishop in particular will be well suited and has been knocking on the door.

If there is to be a surprise packet it could be Kim Reader, who is very fit.

Race 10 of The Professional Cross Country Club season features the second of the trail run series.

The Wilkinson’s Pharmacy five kilometre handicap is a two lap race in the park at the back of Hellyer College.

Most members will be hoping that the rain stays away this week so the track doesn’t become slippery and muddy. However, regular trail runners will be hoping those conditions prevail as they handle them well.

Ewen Troughton ran a great fifth in the first trail run held four weeks ago. Four of the athletes in finished in front of him have since been rehandicapped for wins and this will give Troughton an undeniable chance to break the tape first.

Others who showed great form in that race were Jason Fehlberg and Jonathon Cahill. Both must be given a show on Sunday as must Troughton’s brother, Isaac, who no doubt would love to beat his sibling.

Ron Chequer looks the best of the Frontmarkers, while Mary-Lou Troughton and Brett Riley will be hard to beat based on recent runs.

The Professional Cross Country Club heads to Stowport this week for the MA and LJ Bates Plumbing ten kilometre handicap.

The undulating course on country roads is very scenic although on the last tough climb to the finish runners won’t be admiring the scenery.

The race will suit strong backmarkers but probably not those who completed the marathon last Sunday.

The best chance looks to be Hayden Bishop, who is still looking to break through for his first win in his second year of running. Bishop is coached by last week’s marathon winner, Greg Smith, and is sure to be inspired by Smith’s win.

He has been showing great form and finished seventh a couple of weeks back at Wynyard. This race will suit better.

Keegan Powell has been close-up in several runs and looks the main danger. He has had several placings in shorter races and he will relish the distance.

Others who could break the tape include Ricky Brown, Lachlan Barry and Lorraine Shepheard.

Members are asked to bring a plate of morning tea.

2017 Greg & Dianne Woodhouse Marathon Handicaps

The Professional Cross Country Club holds its longest race for the year this Sunday – the Greg and Dianne Woodhouse Marathon.

Although it has had a few different courses, it is the longest continuously held marathon in Australia. Sunday’s race will take runners from Ulverstone’s River Park to Turners Beach and back twice.

While no-one will threaten the record time of 2 hours 14 minutes run by Leigh Taylor in 1983, there will be many club members who will be very keen to take out the prestigious 42.2 kilometre event

One of these will be Greg Smith who thrives over these long distances. A previous winner in 2009 he has been in excellent form.

Cobie Walker is the fittest he has been and will thrive over this distance having run big kilometres over summer.

Others with strong chances include Matthew Atkins, Ewen Troughton and Chris Talbot.

Those not running the marathon can enter the Tyreright five kilometre handicap which will start at 10:30 with entries closing at 10:00. Thomas Wilson and Roselyn Hendriks look the top chances in this race.

Nominated time events, will be held at 9:45.