Hayden Bishop

This course consists of four laps (1 large and 3 small) around the Romaine park area.  This should provide great viewing options for spectators allowing them to follow the race as it unfolds.

The race starts on the eastern side of the Romaine Creek dam opposite the carpark off Amanda Crescent.  For lap 1, runners then cross the dam wall and run around the dam in an anticlockwise direction following the main track for 600m.  At this point runners reach a T intersection and the lap turns right up the hill, following the main track for another 500m before reaching the turn around point and returning via the dirt track that branches off the main track.  The lap continues to follow the dirt track heading north down the park fence line for 1000 m, past the dam to another turn around point which re-joins the main track and heads back towards the start area.  Lap 2 begins once runners reach the dam wall.  Lap 2 continues along the same track as lap 1 until the T intersection.  At this point runners continue straight and follow the main track for 600m back to the start area.  Laps 3 and 4 are repeats of lap 2.  After completing lap 4 runners will cross the dam wall a final time and the finish chute is on the left of the track near the children’s playground and carpark.

Notes:

1. Parking is limited in the Romaine carpark.  Therefore, all competitors that are able, are requested to park in Blackwood Parade or Kingsley Avenue.  This is to ensure access to the park area for other users and club members who are travelling with people who have mobility issues and/or small children.
2. When warming up and moving towards the start area, people are reminded that runners may starting their race.  As the main track narrows near the dam wall, please avoid interfering with runners already on course.  If possible, please approach the start area by walking in an anticlockwise direction around the dam.
3. Given the rain forecast for this weekend, parts of the course are likely to be damp and muddy underfoot.  However, there will not be any heavy mud sections.  Please choose your footwear accordingly.

Race twelve of the PCCCT Season will be run on Sunday, heading to Romaine Park for the Sea-Lyons Swim School 6km Handicap.

One of the positives from last year’s shortened season was the trialling of new races, with this course at Romaine proving to be a favourite amongst members.

The quiet and scenic course proved to be fast last year, despite the undulating conditions and loose ground underfoot.

Shaun Batten looks to be a runner that suits this course well and is a strong chance to break the tape first. He has been a consistent fixture in the top five over the last few races, with the shorter races suiting his explosive speed.

His biggest competition looks to be Thomas Murton, who has been working his way up the positions each week. It’s not very often a shorter race is won by the backmarker, though Thomas could be an exception.

Anne Thomas found herself in the top ten in Stanley and wouldn’t surprise with a victory, whilst Josh Febey has been consistent all year and could find himself amongst it also.

Others to watch are Tony Abel, Sam Lovatt, and Felicity Lovatt.

New members are always welcomed, and runners are reminded that entries are online only and will close on Friday at 6pm.

The nominated time event will be run at 9am.

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