[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Here are pacing charts for the Point to Pinnacle. Although these are tried and true – obviously they’re ...
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.10.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ z_index_tablet=”500″ use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Check out these training programs for the City to Casino Fun Run – for both 7km ...
5km may seem out of reach for most people but you’d be surprised how achievable this distance is. Setting regular goals, choosing to walk rather than drive, and enrolling in a few fun runs around the State are great ways to stay motivated. Follow the program below and let us know how you go with it. If you’re a stick it on your fridge person, you can download a copy of the program to print. Remember – there’s no shame in stopping for a walk. The most important things are to get out there, have a go, and celebrate your progress.
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.10.7″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.10.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.7″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] Check out this half marathon training program. Let us know if you have any queries. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
We’re grateful to Tim Gunton from the Launceston Running Buddies for the following running routes in and around Launceston. Check them out on facebook (HERE) and join them for a run if you’re in the area. Northern Suburbs From Royal Park, thru the Seaport along ...
We’re grateful to Tim Gunton from the Launceston Running Buddies for the following running routes in and around Launceston. Check them out on facebook (HERE) and join them for a run if you’re in the area.
Northern Suburbs
From Royal Park, thru the Seaport along the Esplanade and turn left over Tamar St Bridge, along Invermay Rd, up Mowbray Hill. Continue along Invermay Rd/Georgetown Rd turning right and follow Georgetown Road up the hill, **(6.7km) and continue PAST the Black Stallion (7.5km) and turn right into Lilydale Road. Just after the railway overpass, turn right and take the short-cut across to the end of Cupania St (or feel free to take the long way around the road) head over the railway overpass and follow the fire trail all the way to Dover St. From Dover St go along Calais St, Verdun and Beatty Sts and turn left at Jellico St, we then turn left at Vermont Rd and turn right to the track just before the West’s residence that takes us back past Heritage Forrest and thru to Inveresk for a stroll along the board walk before exiting near the Tamar St bridge – across the bridge, along the Esplanade, thru the Seaport to Royal Park (18km).
**Shorter options are turn up either Parklands Parade or Mayfield St and continue to the end of either of these streets and take the tracks to the fire trail
From Royal Park, past Still Water, across Kings Bridge, Past Tamar Marine, along to the tail race and down to Tamar Island – keeping on the tracks as much as possible
Turn at the pub for about 11km return. Turn at Cormiston Road/bus stop 13km return journey. Continue all the way to Tamar Island car park 15km return journey. Continue out to the Island to the jetty; DON’T touch the pontoon because it not there anymore! (10km). Turn and head back to Royal Park for a total of 20km.
East
From Royal Park, left into Paterson Street, then right into George Street, left into Brisbane Street and continue out to Newstead, turn left into Hoblers Bridge Road then turn left onto North Esk track (4.5km). Follow this across to Henry Street (7km). Turn left – Henry Street becomes Boland Street continue on to the Tamar Street bridge (8.8 km).** 2 options from here
Option 1 is to continue along the Esplanade and back thru the Seaport for a total of about 10.2km
Option 2 is to turn right and go across the bridge and onto Invermay Road. Continue along Invermay Road until you get to the bottom of Mowbray hill (11.3km), turn left into McKenzie Street run along until you get to the flood levy. Continue on the flood levy until you reach Mayne Street (12.7 km), cross over Mayne Street and continue on to Seaport and back to Royal Park total of about 15.0km
Along Park St, left into Paterson St and right in to Margaret St, along to the end of Margaret and turn right into Frankland St, continue up Frankland into Hillside Cres, which becomes Brougham St and turn left into Granville St. Continue to the end of Granville St and turn right at Peel St, follow Peel St all the way and turn Left at Holyman Drive**. Turn left and go along Holyman Drive which becomes Richard St. Continue along to Las Vegas Drive and turn left, once we hit Country Club Ave we turn left and continue to the roundabout at Westbury Rd (7.7km) where we turn left and follow Westbury Rd all the way to Wellington St. (12.0km) Turn left at Wellington St and stroll down until we turn left into Frankland St, then right into Margaret St , along to Paterson St then back to Park St, then we are back to where we started from. (14.4km)
**Turn left at Stanley St then left at Westbury Road will shorten the run to about 10k’s
From Royal Park, left into Paterson Street and along to George Street, right into George Street then left into Brisbane Street. Brisbane Street then becomes Elphin Road, continues along Elphin Road to just past the Coles Supermarket and then left onto Hoblers Bridge Road and continue to the roundabout at the junction with St. Leonards Road (5km)*. Along St. Leonards Road- it’s then 8km when you get to Johnsons Road ** St Leonards Road becomes Blessington Road and continue until you get to Corra Lynn bridge (12.7km). Turn and head back along Blessington Road/ St Leonards Road/ Hoblers Bridge Road. On Hoblers Bridge Road, turn right into Olive Street then right again when you get to Elphin road and right again into Dowling Street (23km). Left into Racecourse Crescent and left again into Boland Street, turn right across Tamar Street bridge and down Invermay Road to Forster Street (just past Aurora Stadium). Turn right into Forster Street, which becomes Churchill Park Drive, and then up onto the levy bank to pick up the trail at the back of Heritage forest to take you up to Vermont Road. Then left along Vermont Road, left again at the top of Mowbray hill. Head back down the hill along Invermay Road. Then left along Lindsay Street and cross over to Seaport and back to Royal Park (32.6km). Extra 2.4km run a few laps around the Stillwater, Royal Park Loop (35km).
*Head back for a total of 10k’s ** Head back the way you came to Royal Park 16.k’s
From Royal Park, through Seaport and along the bike track, cross over at the Mayne Street overpass and continue along the bike track down to McKenzie Street. Turn right and head back along Invermay Road. Turn right at Mayne Street (Swamp Café) and continue down Mayne Street to the overpass and back along the bike track to Seaport (but don’t turn in ). Continue straight ahead along the track back up to Paterson Street (7.5km), then left and up to Charles Street. Turn right into Charles Street and follow all the way up to the L.G.H. Left into Howick Street, right into Mulgrave Street and veer right into Meredith Crescent, up to Hobart Road (10.5km). Along Hobart Road to Opossum Road (Maccas on the corner) turn left into Opossum Road, crossing over to pick up the Carr Villa trail; follow this around-it goes around Opossum Road and then right into Quarantine Road, and head back down to Hobart Road (15km).** Turn left and continue along Hobart Road to Alma Street (log cabin nursery), turn left into Alma Street, then right into Redwood Crescent and right again at the roundabout into Poplar Parade, continue back along Poplar Parade and you’re back on Hobart Road again (18.5km)**. Turn left onto Hobart Road, and then left again into Relbia Road and follow this all the way along to the Glenwood Road (opposite Josef Chromys Restaurant) (22.5km). Turn and head back along Relbia Road, then right onto Hobart Road, going straight down Hobart Road, through Youngtown and Kingsmeadows, until you get back to Meredith Crescent (30km). Turn right into Meredith Crescent; veer left into Mulgrave Street, left into Howick Street and right into Charles Street. Continue down Charles Street, ten turn right into Paterson Street, right into George Street, left into Brisbane Street, left into Tamar Street and then head down to the Esplanade. Turn left into the Esplanade, then back through Seaport to Royal Park (35.5 km)
** Turn right and head back the way you came via Meredith Crescent to Royal Park. 20.5km
** Turn right and head back the way you came via Meredith Crescent to Royal Park. 25.5km
With 5,800 registered to take part in Sunday’s Gold Coast Marathon, you don’t have to look too far to find an inspiring story.
Christine Baillie (left) with running buddies Helen Gay (centre) and Jillian Freeman.
The effort it takes just to get to the start line is an achievement in itself but when the gun goes off, the countless hours spent working towards the ultimate goal are put on display and the real challenge begins.
Of all the would-be marathoners lining up on Sunday morning, you’d struggle to find a more contrasting story than that of TRR members Brian Lyons and Christine Baillie with Christine, a 55 year old grandmother, aiming to complete her first marathon and Brian Lyons, one of Tasmania’s top-end running talents looking to break the 2:30:00 barrier that has eluded Tasmanian runners since Dave Thomas ran 2:21:41 in Melbourne in 2012.
Christine entered her first fun run in 2011 – Hobart’s Bridge Run which she ran after finishing a night shift at 6am and necking 2 red bulls.
She came last.
For the next 3 years Christine entered as many fun runs as she could running purely for enjoyment and recalls that it involved ‘more walking than running’.
In 2014 she completed the 5k event at the Glenorchy Fun Run; it was the first event she was ever able to run the entire way.
Brian Lyons modelling the TRR gear.
Less than a year later, she’s lining up for her first marathon.
He returns to the course 3 years after attempting his first marathon which resulted in him not completing the race. Sunday will be as much about redemption as getting a new personal best.
When asked how he was feeling about Sunday’s race he quipped, ‘I was ready 2 weeks ago’.
To say that what Brian has achieved is purely a result of talent is to significantly understate the mental and physical exertion he has devoted in order to get the most out of himself.
He’s a runner who knows what he can do and on Sunday, we’ll get to see exactly what that is.
An etiquette guide for recreational runners – By Shelley Miller
In The Community
Safe running
Run against traffic if running on or alongside the road, staying as far to the right as possible. You will see oncoming vehicles and they will see you more easily. Wear bright and reflective clothing to make yourself visible, particularly in the dark. Stay alert when crossing streets and entrances. Stop at stop signs, and make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you before you cross the road. If they wave you across, give them a friendly smile—let them know you appreciate it!
If running on multi-use paths or trails, run in the direction of traffic, staying to the left of the trail. To pass another person, first check over your shoulder to make sure no one is coming up behind you.
On narrow trails, people running uphill should yield to the people running down. You do not want to be in the way of someone with gravity on her side.
If you are passing someone and they don’t appear to have noticed you coming p behind them, alert them before you pass by yelling “Passing”, “On your right” etc. And given them a wave as you go.
No dumping rubbish
If you can’t find a trash rubbish bin for your empty gel packets or bar wrappers carry them home. Also, if you need to relieve yourself and there are no public facilities, use discretion and find an appropriate place well off the track.
Dave Schaap giving the thumbs up
Leave no runner behind
If you see a fellow runner truly struggling, take a moment to check in with that person. Even if you don’t know them, ask, “How are you going?” They will most likely say they’re fine and wave you on, but if they’re injured, dehydrated or just exhausted, they may need a little help.
Say hello
Wave when you cross paths with another runner. Or nod. Or smile. Or give a thumbs-up. We’re all in it together.
Online behavior
Conduct yourself appropriately when using electronic communication to share information or when posting material on public websites.
TRR promotes responsible use of social media. The following guidelines may assist in determining appropriate behaviour:
Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t say in person.
For genuine issues use email or phone to discuss and resolve the issue rather than posting on social media.
Avoid posting inflammatory comments designed to provoke a response (trolling).
We strongly discourage personal attacks on organisations or individuals.
Recognise that even if posting to a private section of a social networking site comments can appear in public areas through a variety of means and can easily be found and shared.
Post genuine, constructive feedback in a neutral, calm tone and point out positives as well as negatives. Offer solutions rather than simply complaints.
Remember that social media sites are often visible to underage people – keep language appropriate.
When dealing with events recognise that many organisers do not have the resources to read all the comments posted on their site which can number in the hundreds. If you require a response to a question, use a direct message, email or phone.
Providing feedback
Remember no event is perfect and people work hard to make them safe and enjoyable. Most events are staffed primarily by volunteers, but there is always a race director or race committee that is responsible for an event. If you have ideas for improving an event or concerns you would like to address, share them with the race director or race committee in a positive and productive manner.
Before An Event
Inform yourself
Race organisers put a lot of effort into developing websites, entry forms, newsletters and social media sites. Read them before sending questions – more often than not the answer is already available to you.
Learn the rules
Events all provide the rules of participation on their entry forms and/or websites. By entering the event, you agree to abide by their rules. Familiarise yourself with them so you don’t risk disqualification or having your result voided. Rules are in place for the safety and enjoyment of all participants as a whole. If you are injured during the race and are found to be in breach of the race rules you may not be covered by the race insurance.
Don’t bandit a race
You didn’t pay for the race? You don’t get to run the race. Not only are you not covered by the race insurance but if the race is on a closed road you don’t actually have permission to be on the course.
Don’t use another runner’s bib
Not only does the race director not have your information if you get hurt, but you could also mess up the timing, ranking and awards system. You may end up winning an age or gender group you are not entitled to.
Think before you speak
No matter how good you think you are, there’s going to be someone better than you. So think twice before you comment on how someone is “only” running the 5k on the day you’re doing the full marathon. Everyone is equally deserving of respect.
Registration
Pre-register even if same day registration is offered. This will help ease the registration process for everyone involved. Collect your race pack before race day if you can.
On Race Day
Be prepared
Pin your race number on the front of your shirt/shorts. This is where it is most visible for photographers and race officials.
Arrive early for the event, especially if you are picking up your number on race day.
Use the facilities before the race start to lessen the need once on course, and help keep the facilities clean for person in line after you.
The start line
Start line – fast runners up the front (Mark Webber Run, Hobart 2013)
Nothing is more annoying than having to weave through dozens of runners in the first few kms of a race because slower runners chose to line up at the front of the field. Leave the front of the pack to the fast runners and keep out of their way.
Line up according to how fast you plan to run or walk the event. If you anticipate finishing in the middle or back of the field, line up there.
If the event has starting waves or corrals, use them honestly.
Pay attention to the pre-race instructions. This is not the time to be blaring your favourite song on your iPod or discussing race tactics with fellow participants.
Don’t bring pets
You may enjoy running with your dog but other competitors probably won’t. It’s tough enough navigating around other runners, let alone dogs. You also can’t be certain how your pet will handle the crowds. Most events ban pets because they pose a hazard to participants and themselves.
Look for events such as the Million Paws Walk if you want to include your furry friend.
Experienced pram-runner, Chris Dalton (…with experienced pram-rider, Summer Dalton).
Prams
Fun runs are a great way to introduce running to children. However prams can pose a significant hazard to other runners and vehicles on course. Unless you are an experienced runner with a jogging pram, line up at the back of the event.
Drink stations
Drink stations are usually several tables long so don’t feel compelled to approach the first table which is usually the busiest.
As you move towards the drink station, merge slowly towards it rather than darting across in front of other runners. Put your arm out so the attendant knows you want a cup. Say thanks!
Keep moving forward and throw the cup in or at least near the bin. This is a good place to also dispose of empty gel wrappers you may be carrying. Don’t throw half empty cups of water in front of other runners – wet shoes are not nice.
Be aware of your surroundings
Whether or not you are wearing headphones you must be aware of what is happening around you. Keep left, don’t swerve around runners without checking behind you and know that vehicles are on the course at all times.
It is increasingly common and frustrating for emergency vehicles and lead vehicles to have to come to a complete stop during events because participants simply are not aware a vehicle is trying to pass them. Don’t be that person.
If someone in front of you is wearing headphones, and they are blocking you, gently touch their elbow or shoulder as you pass to alert them to your presence.
Spitting and snot
Sometimes you have to do it. But try not to hit anyone else. Check those around you before you let loose.
Walking/walk breaks
There’s no shame in slowing down, just work your way to the side first. Otherwise you could easily get knocked over by another runner.
If you plan to run-walk the entire race, stick to the edge of the course, where your pace changes will be less disruptive to other runners.
Thank the volunteers
Race volunteers turn up early, give hours of their own time freely, and end the day covered in other people’s sweat, water, electrolyte and worse. Events simply would not happen without volunteers. Say thanks at every opportunity. And smile!
Pacing
Some events provide pace runners as a service. If there are no official pace runners, you may have a friend pace you as long as the friend has also entered and started the race. You cannot have someone jump in with 10km to go and help you to the finish line – doing so may risk disqualification in many events.
Don’t clog the finish
While you are expected to stop running at the finish line, it is important that you continue moving forward — at least at a slow walk — so that the finish area does not become bottle-necked. Catch up with friends and family in the general spectator area, not the finish chute. If you need medical assistance alert an official so you can be moved safely out of the chute.
If the event is electronically timed, be sure to return the timing tag/chip before leaving the finishers’ chute if necessary.
Presentations
Stay around for the awards ceremony to cheer on the overall winners along with the age group winners. If you won an award, stay for the award ceremony. It is about you, after all.
If you had asked me 5 years if I was interested in competing in a fun run, I would have laughed. Today, at 42, running provides me with a healthy, happy lifestyle and has connected me with a wonderful new network of likeminded inspirational people ...
If you had asked me 5 years if I was interested in competing in a fun run, I would have laughed. Today, at 42, running provides me with a healthy, happy lifestyle and has connected me with a wonderful new network of likeminded inspirational people of all running abilities. We each have our story. What I like is that nobody is running against each other but against themselves.
I was never an athlete at school. Enjoyed outdoor pursuits but generally lead quite a sedentary life. By adulthood my previously diagnosed mild hip dysplasia of my right hip was taking its toll. At 29 I felt I still had such a big life ahead of me that I decided to undergo a major pelvic reconstruction in Melbourne which would delay or remove the need for a total hip replacement. With the wonderful support of my family I rose again and managed to walk limp free and regain my independence once again. The reconstruction also allowed me to happily and successfully raise an active little boy with the assistance of several trips back to the orthopaedic ward for revision surgeries and the like.
By 2009 it was evident that the earlier reconstruction was not going to cut it so I made the call, aged 36, to undergo the total hip replacement of my right hip. Off I went to Melbourne, and I haven’t looked back…..
I was happy with my new found freedom from pain free movement that I started to use an elliptical trainer at home to help me lose some weight I suppose. In 2011, with encouragement from a close friend, I decided to walk in the 5km Cadbury Marathon event. Together with my mother in law and our little ipods, someone else’s running shoes, the wrong bra and a long sleeved top I was keen to see what all the fuss was about. When the horn sounded the start I felt like a kid and took off like the other runners around me. I couldn’t believe how fit I had become on my indoor trainer and 100m from the finish I saw that huge finish banner and all those people yelling encouragement as I came across the line, for little ol’ me. I was hooked. (I would love to bottle the atmosphere at the end of a fun run – competitors are so hyper and possess the best smiles – so proud not only of their own but of other’s achievements.)
Seeing the results and with encouragement from my friends and family, I continued to get faster and faster with each fun run and it was particularly exciting to turn over a new year and compete in the same runs again to compare my improvement. I think my fastest 5 km was the Kingston Beach Fun Run downhill @ 26.13 and 10 km was the Glenorchy Fun Run @ 55.29. I have also been lucky enough to be invited to assist on the admin side of organising the City to Casino Fun Run each year. Its wonderful to be part of a dynamic group of running folk and see the hard work behind the scenes attached to putting a fun run together.
My family are proud of me. I have inspired some of my close friends to get moving. My son still marvels how I can walk to the top of Mt Wellington from the Casino and go back for more!
Through running I have met a new group of genuine encouraging friends. I was so nervous starting at the run group at The Running Edge on Wednesday evenings with supposed ‘elite’ runners but it is here where I have met a wonderful bunch of people to run and socialise with. Its so much more fun to run in the company of others!
I have suffered some muscle issues and have worked my way through some pain and time away from running – seeking appropriate physiotherapy – working through the problems and learning how to stretch and strengthen properly. I know my limits and have to be sensible because it goes against advice to run on a hip replacement, however, running brings great joy to my daily life, its altered my metabolism, has removed 10 kg worth of weight off my joints and helped build a mental strength that has helped me to conquer some big events in my personal life recently.
My goal this year is to increase my distance slowly and run a half marathon later in the year. I will undertake this journey with the right advice and training regime to give it my best shot. Becoming a member of the TRR network will help me connect with new people in my area and provide me with invaluable advice from people with experience.
Cliffy Keenan’s 38 years of highs and lows in athletics…. [confessions of a shuffler] From the outset I would like to point out that I do not feel over comfortable about telling my story and am only prepared to do it because my good mate ...
Cliffy Keenan’s 38 years of highs and lows in athletics…. [confessions of a shuffler]
From the outset I would like to point out that I do not feel over comfortable about telling my story and am only prepared to do it because my good mate Jem has asked me to write something about my involvement in the sport and she does help out in a big way with the Budget so I owe her. I also would like to apologize for the( I )letter but in this context it is hard to avoid.
I would also like to acknowledge my wife Lexie and my family for allowing me to be involved in the sport for so long and in the process they have made huge sacrifices along the way.
I first started running back in January 1977, I had in late 1976 spent a long period of time in hospital with a serious illness and knew that I had to return to hospital in the future for further major surgery so I decided to get fit to prepare myself for the operation.
The first few months were spent running Bellerive Beach and Lauderdale beach, either alone or on the odd occasion with my wife. I found that I was starting to enjoy the sport and started to talk with other people about it, one such person was Murray Bird who invited me to join him and his friends at lunch time. It was here that I was to meet my great friends Billy Essex, Greg Hawthorne, Mike Harding and Russell Foley. Effectively each run was a race, these guys only knew one way to train and that was flat out, I found myself regularly taking short cuts and they still managed to catch me and beat me back to town.
My first race was a handicap race at Elwick and went around where the DEC is now and my first win in a race was the same year in the Froggy Wise Handicap at Self’s Point where I outsprinted the late Graeme Fennell, who in the following season on both the track and road started to call me the bloody little squatter because I used to sit on him and let him do all of the work and outsprint him.
You may wonder why I am in athletic circles known as Cliff, for those old enough to remember there was an ultra-marathon from Sydney to Melbourne and it was one year won by Cliff Young, my good friend Billy Essex noticed how similar our styles were and started calling me Cliffy, for some reason the name stuck and I have been known as Cliffy for over thirty years, in bike riding circles it is Crackers, the reason is pretty obvious if you follow AFL.
Running with such good friends over the years has created many wonderful and colourful memories, Billy and I used to find us getting into trouble from time to time, one such occasion was in Sandy Bay when we ran up McCauley Rd to Churchill Ave, as we reached the junction of Churchill Ave Billy spotted some mushrooms, he picked them, this upset the elderly gentleman who lived opposite, he banged on the window and as you would I gave him the bird, as a consequence he took after us in his car even attempting to drive along the footpath yelling at us to stop and if we did not threatening to call the police, Billy could not understand what I had done to upset him but needless to say he did not get to eat his mushrooms as he threw away the evidence.
On another occasion again involving Billy, I was involved in a bad fall at the 3.2km on the lower domain road, it happened as soon as the gun went off, Billy blamed me because he felt that I ran across in front of him and caused the fall, from memory about seven runners fell over, it must have stirred him up because he got up and ran sub 10 mins for the 2 miles. I still deny his accusation that it was my fault but knowing my history of getting into trouble he is probably right.
Billy was also involved when our lunch time group attempted to run over the Tasman Bridge when it was being reconstructed, from memory there was not much linking the east to the west and we were very quickly ordered off the bridge when spotted by the construction workers.
I was coached by the late and great Max Cherry who took pity on my lack of ability and managed to get me to eventually run 2.44.28 for the Cadbury Marathon in 1984, I would probably managed to run quicker if I had listened to him and not done extra training than what he had set me to do, I found myself obsessed with running 100 mile weeks and from memory ran for three years without having a day off.
I have now been on the Board of Management of Athletics South for I think over thirty years serving in the role of Winter Competition Director and am also a life member of Athletics’ South and a Merit Award Winner of AT. I also ran the Olympic Touch relay in 2000 and the Commonwealth Games Queens Message relay when the games were in Brisbane.
I have now seen the winter competition grow from just over forty runners competing each week to over 200 in the past season, it is effectively a fun run each week, members of the TRR should think about having a run, sure there is the competitive element but there is also a large number of fun runners of all shapes, ages and abilities. Everybody encourages one another and at the conclusion of the run hot drinks are available for everyone to enjoy and spot prizes to be won.
I suppose the two main events that I have been involved in are the Huon Valley Classic and the Budget Fun Run. Unfortunately the Huon Valley Classic because of the costs involved was only conducted for seven years, however the Budget thanks to a wonderful sponsor who have been sponsoring the run for twenty three years continues to attract good numbers and in recent times thanks to John Anderson and Jem and a new committee has taken off in a big way attracting over 1,000 entries in the past two years and as a result raising record amounts for the Paediatric Ward of the RHH. I will forever be in debt to John and Jem for becoming involved who had contacted me after a couple of my stuff ups and offered to assist me with the run ( before that my main help in the setting up of the run was my wonderful wife)
I cannot see myself ever giving athletics away and now with the birth of the TRR am more enthusiastic than ever to stay involved, in the past twelve months I have started after a ten year absence shuffling again, and am loving having a shuffle with the fun runners; the friendships I and my family have made over many years are priceless. I still ride my bike and on the odd occasions sail my beloved Bandit, but for one big reason I am always drawn back to athletics, that is the friends I have made, I would be lost without them.
Good luck to Jem and Jay with your concept of the TRR, it has taken off in a big way, congratulations on your vision, I am very much looking forward to watching it grow and how it impacts in such a positive way on the running community of Tasmania, I wish it had been around when I started running but come to think of it nothing was around then, no mobile phones or computers and everything that goes with them, back then if you did not have a home phone you went to the phone box on the corner, how I long for those innocent times of the past!
