Hayden Bishop

This week there are two events being conducted concurrently over the same course – the Greg & Di Woodhouse Marathon and the Acacia Concrete & Render Services Marathon Teams Race.

The marathon will start at 7.00am and the first team will start at 8.00am. Competitors need to wear a race bib, which will be provided, to identify which race they are in and what team. You do not need to wear your PCCCT race number. Bibs will need to be collected before the start of the race. It is an out and back course which is repeated twice. The races start at the Ulverstone Cricket Club in River Road, West Ulverstone. The course heads east along River Road to the Ulverstone Bridge, under and across the bridge, down past the wharf precinct to Otto’s Grotto and onto Fairway Park walking track to Buttons Creek and along Beach Road to the start of the Ulverstone/Turners Beach coastal pathway where there will be a drink station. Runners follow the pathway to Turners Beach and then along The Esplanade to the turn which is beside the Forth River where there will be another drink station. This is where the second and fourth teams’ runners will commence their runs. Runners follow the exact same course back to the Ulverstone Cricket Club. This will be the halfway point for the marathon competitors and where the third leg teams’ runners will commence.

Post-race presentations will take place in the Ulverstone Cricket Club clubrooms. A soup luncheon will be provided. There are toilet and shower facilities available.

The PCCCT Greg and Dianne Woodhouse Marathon is the longest-running handicap marathon in Australia, and the 2021 edition of the race will be held this Sunday.

Alongside, it will also see the inaugural running of the Acacia Concrete and Render Services Teams Marathon Handicap.

Both races utilise the pathway between Ulverstone and Turners Beach, starting at River Park in Ulverstone, and heading out to the end of the esplanade at Turners Beach, before returning. The Marathon competitors will complete two laps of this course, with Teams Marathon competitors each completing a 10.55km point to point leg.

A small but quality field will assemble for the main event, the Marathon, with proceedings beginning at 7am.

The entire field look equal chances of winning, with many variables to consider over such a long distance.

Christopher Talbot looks a strong chance, having won the Half Marathon in 2019. The distance suits him well and is a regular competitor in this event. Shane Hanson is another runner that will suit the distance, thriving on the longer races.

Sam Mawer also wouldn’t surprise with a win off the back-mark. He will have a lot of ground to make up on the front-markers, starting over an hour later.

The Team’s event is anyone’s game, with sixteen teams of four taking to the course. This event will start at 8am, with a fast race expected.

Notable teams to watch out for are ‘Everyday Lions’, ‘Gunnaz Runnaz’, ‘Meercroft Crew’, and ‘Late’.

Entries for both events have now closed. There will be no nominated time event this week.

Handicaps will be posted Friday at 6pm, along with the race brief.

The race starts at 10.30am from the Stanley Recreation Ground, Marine Esplanade. There are changerooms and toilet facilities at the ground. The race is over 8km and contains one hilly section. As the race is on public roads runners are asked run with caution and obey any directions from race officials. The race heads out of the ground away from the Stanley township on Main Road. After a kilometre or so runners continue onto Dovecote Road which has an uphill section. Runners turn right at Green Hills Road which takes them past Highfield House and a sweeping downhill section with great views of the Nut. This leads onto Church Street through the main centre of Stanley. Runners turn right onto Main Street then left onto Marine Esplanade. From there they re-enter the Recreation Ground and finish with half a lap of the oval. Post-race presentations will take place in the Stanley Football Clubrooms.

The 2021 season of the PCCCT heads west to Stanley this Sunday, for the running of the Dowling McCarthy Tyres/Hanson Family ‘Steve Hanson Memorial’ Ace of the Green Hills 8km Handicap.

The 8km circuit is hilly, but scenic, with runners taking in wonderful views of the Stanley township and the Nut. The course heads uphill to the top of the Green Hills, descending back down onto the main road and returning to the Stanley oval to finish.

With many runners recording quick times last week, it could be anyone’s race, with a host of runners in career best shape.

Gerard Lowry has been in excellent form this season, consistently placing in the top ten in most races. Training over the hills of Railton, the demanding courses usually suit the “Railton Rocket”. Gerard is returning to his best, after battling illness and injuries, and has recently clocked up his 200^th run with the club. A win would certainly not surprise.

Troy Reader could also put on a good show, with this course suiting him nicely. Ellen Burgess has been close all year, with a win well within her sights.

Others to watch are Anne Thomas and Felicity Lovatt.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only, and close at 6pm Friday. The race will have a later start of 10:30am, with the nominated time event to be run at 10am.

More details and race entry can be found at www.pccct.org

Please note: the meeting place is at Meercroft Park.

Toilets and changerooms in the new facilities will be available.

The men’s race will commence at 9:30 with the women’s race as soon as possible after the completion of the men’s race.

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 is a very simple one. It is four clockwise laps, plus a bit, of the streets surrounding Meercroft Park. Care will be needed running the back straight, North Street, as there is no footpath there.

Similarly, care is needed while running through the parking area on the William St side of Meercroft Park.

Thank you to our sponsors – Simons Design Centre (men’s race) and Everyday Lions (women’s race).

This Sunday will see the running of the Meercroft 5km split division races in Devonport. The course is a flat, fast, four lap course on the road around Meercroft Park.

In previous years the divisions have been split into Front-Markers and Back-Markers. This year will see the divisions split by gender, with the Simons Design Centre Male Handicap being run as the curtain raiser before the Everyday Lions Female Handicap.

It’s hard to go past Ellen Burgess as the favourite for the women, finishing fourth in the handicap race last week and second in the 10km championships. She also ran strong for third in the Mountain Classic, so a win is well within her grasp.

Winner of the club championships, Lyn Saint-John will be well suited to the quick course. Third place getter, Anna Murton, will also be well in the mix.

Emma Turner and Christine Wright are others to watch, both recording good results last week.

For the men, Nigel Baptist looks to be the pick of the bunch. Finishing third last week, with a handful of placings throughout the year, he is due for a win. Tony Abel has continued his rapid improvement this year, looking a chance to record a second win this year.

Young charger Thomas Murton will also be close running from the back mark, with the flat fast course suiting him well.

Runners are reminded that entries are online only and close at 6pm Friday. The men’s race will start at 9:30am Sunday, with the female’s race to follow. New members are always welcome and encouraged to check our website. www.pccct.org