Articles posted by smpadmin

Late last Sunday afternoon, over forty Mackay Road Runners enjoyed the challenge of the Harbour North Wall Three Peaks challenge, with distance options from 5km to 9.5km in perfectly breezy humid conditions. Club Captain, Jim Ford tested his charges in one of the final social off season training sessions prior to the first formal run on the 2018 Mackay Road Runners calendar. Jim, who’s running experience is boundless, is an awesome coach and organiser of the off season events as well as a major contributor throughout the official Club season. Alana Ford, who has also been an integral part of the Club being it’s 2017 Secretary, has also been an excellent motivator and energetic assistant to Jim throughout the Sunday afternoon events as well as the weekly social 6pm Wednesday runs from the Bluewater Quay. Alana has just stepped down from the Secretaryship to focus on a new role within the Club, which will assist new and inexperienced runners, thus offering additional inclusive benefits to the Club’s events. Jim & Alana, who are excellent athletes themselves, will be seen out and about supporting their favourite club as they have been since arriving in Mackay over ten years ago. Other family members, Peter, Alex and Anthea have also been enormous supporters of the Mackay Road Runners Club.

The Harbour North Wall Three Peaks Challenge was a testing affair with ascents of hills at the Seabreeze Hotel, Lamberts Beach Lookout and Albatross Street, Slade Point. Runners utilised varying terrains including the North Wall beach foreshore, sand dunes, Lamberts Beach/Slade Point Reserve trails and bitumen roads. Many thanks for weekly assistance to Jim & Alana via Andrew Short, who quickly jumps into action when required….much appreciated. Runners were also treated to a grand finale to the event with a sensational refreshing dip in the ocean post run and prior to the usual recovery of fruit and lollies. This also caused Jim a slight conundrum where he was unable to announce the team winners due to the runners preferring to frolic in the ocean… although all agreed…..no prize required….everyone’s a winner!

With the final run of the off season Summer Series this Sunday at 5.30pm from the Grove Tavern, Andergrove, runners and their families are invited to stay post run for the usual refreshments and/or refreshments for purchase inside the Tavern to celebrate the very successful social series. Runners can also look forward to random draw prizes as well as the usual congenial heckling and comradery within their ranks…..all welcome!

Mackay Road Runners held their Annual General Meeting last week where the official 2018 program was passed for approval as well as Committee positions vacated and filled. However, the Club is still looking for volunteers to fill or assist some very important roles so that they can continue to be one of the most successful and popular Clubs in the region. The 2018 program has now been updated on the Mackay Road Runners website – take the time to visit mackayroadrunners.com.au so you can plan your 2018 running year. The Club will also be calling for members, their family or friends to volunteer at least once throughout the year, mainly to assist current race day volunteers ie timekeepers, waterstop attendants, marshals, etc. With a current membership base of over 150, if members can give a small amount of their time, it would be much appreciated. Hence the load will be alleviated on the members who volunteer each and every week, thus allowing everyone to gain an insight into what is involved in staging a weekly event. Everyone loves to run, therefore, all voluntary assistance would be a valuable asset to all Club members.

Mackay Road Runners and the local community are reminded of the Mackay Regional Council’s Sports Expo and Sign on day on the 11th February from 9am to 1pm at the MECC. Mackay Road Runners will, as usual, be in attendance to answer any queries for new and existing Members. The Club will also conduct its first official calendar event in the afternoon on the same day, commencing 5.30pm at the Mackay Harbour Boat ramp carpark precincts…..all welcome!

With the Mackay Road Runners Summer social running program drawing to a close, Club Captain/Race Director, Jim Ford once again hosted a unique event from the Magpies Sporting Complex. The 6km & 12km run had participants opting to tackle whatever distance they chose, in addition to estimating the actual exact distance of their chosen course, with the winners taking the usual coveted prizes and bragging rights for closest estimate.

Over forty runners eagerly accepted the timed challenge, including the very welcome addition of many new and returning runners to the 2018 Mackay Road Runing scene. Jim welcomed all runners whilst he explained the short and long courses as well as the challenge concept. Excellent performances came from Rachel Silvestri, Ashlee Scott, Simon Henderson, Mark Walz, Carol Brown, Brenda Windsor, Sandra Henderson, Tim Caddy, Ross Connor, Jenene McLellan, Mitch Thompson, Alan Zamparutti, Steve Oberg, Charlie Martel, Craig McGahey, Leon Ryan,Darrin Pullen, Andrew Short, Jo Skinner, Peter Ellison, June Bradley Jose Short, Carmel Mahon, Paula Easton and Karla Hook.

Mackay Road Runners also welcomed the North Mackay Saints AFL girls team at the midweek social 5km at the Bluewater Quay. The girls have been very committed over the last several weeks to their pre-season training in a bid to better their 2017 season Grand Final performance…go The Saints!

The Mackay Road Runners Summer program continues for two more weeks, with this Sunday’s run commencing at The Mackay Harbour North Wall carpark at the usual time of 5.30pm. As this is an informal, social group training session, only a gold coin cost for participants is requested which goes towards post run refreshment, prizes, etc….. All welcome to attend, no need to be a Club Member, bring your friends and family for a great hour of running and social banter.
The AGM was held earlier this week, with the formalities of the 2018 official committee members and running program still to be announced….watch this space or visit mackayroadrunners.com.au

Mackay Road Runners’ Club Captain Jim Ford once again staged a unique course concept for over thirty runners from the Railway carpark, Paget. The Planet Paget 8km course was designed for teams to take in several streets of the Paget Commercial precinct endeavouring to locate markers in designated areas in each street. Teams had the challenge of running the 8km course but also keep their eyes peeled to mentally record the ten hotspots in the correct order to win the coveted prize.

Four teams were victorious in getting the order correct, however the fastest team consisting of Ashlee Scott, Carl Pinkstone, Jose Short and Glynis Forse were the ultimate champions. Excellent performances also came from Alana Ford, Queensland cricket champion, Adam Knesevic, Julian Picot, Emma Goodman-Jones, Carmel Mahon, Tim Caddy, Andrew Wallace, Stephen Oberg, Peter Ford, Jo Skinner, June Bradley, Mark Takagaki, Alan Zamparutti, Jenene McLellan, Andrew Short, Arthur Dick and Simon Henderson.

Many thanks once again to Jim and Alana for organising the Sunday afternoon social off season group training sessions and post run refreshments. The runners really appreciate the non-competitive, team oriented and course option concepts that are suitable for varying abilities. With only three more of these events prior to the formal Mackay Road Runners 2018 program commencing, the Club invites the public and club members to attend any of these training sessions for a gold coin donation towards post-race fruit, etc. This Sunday’s 6/12km event commences 5.30pm from Magpies Sporting Complex carpark, Glenella.

Current and intending Members are reminded that the Mackay Road Runners Annual General and Calendar Meeting will be held Monday, 22nd January 5.30pm at the Techserve office building, Tennyson Street, Mackay. All committee and other positions are open for re-election therefore, current position holders will stand down, awaiting nominee submissions. Whilst some of the members are happy to resit, all positions are open and welcome for new nominees. There will definitely be two positions where the sitting members have stepped down, therefore the very important roles will need to be filled. If you would like to help in any way but unable to attend the Meeting, please email roadrunnersmackay@gmail.com . To ensure the continued success of the Club, we ask that you all consider what you can do for your club, big or small – all assistance is gratefully accepted!

Mackay Road Runners first social off season Sunday event for 2018 was very well attended by approximately forty dedicated runners. The casual group training session commenced from the Harbour boat ramp carpark precinct at 5.30pm under the expert guidance of Club Captain and Race Director, Jim Ford. Jim’s course had runners leave the Harbour parklands toward the testing Mt Bassett incline via a one kilometre warmup run. All runners regrouped at the base of Mt Bassett prior to challenging themselves to multiple loops of the testing Mt Bassett ascent. Jim, as usual, integrated options for various abilities and fitness levels as well as a relay loop and a grand finale surprise staggered loop, all this before posing for a 2018 Calendar photoshoot. Thankfully the south-easterly breezes made for more enjoyable running as opposed to the previous week’s northerly winds which caused treacherously dangerous humidity levels. All runners enjoyed the course concept as always with Jim’s unique spin on making each outing an enjoyable and social one. Jim’s interesting, well thought out courses throughout the off season always get great support from the participants, even though some softies comment “I do not wanna play anymore”….but they always do….!

Well done to Julian Picot who has returned to the Mackay running scene after a short stint in Townsville where he graduated from his medical studies – congratulations Dr Julian Picot! As well as successfully completing his studies, Julian also showed a very clean pair of heels throughout the Mt Bassett 10km event, where he pitted himself against local champion and USA student, Liam Mumford. Liam will be returning to Virginia’s snowy/icy conditions this week to complete his third year of his academic and athletic university scholarship, although we may see him return mid 2018 for his local pet events, the M-Test Eungella King of the Mountain and the BMA Mackay Marina Run.

Meanwhile, at the Mt Bassett event, there were some outstanding performances from many runners including friendly heckling from not so competitive family members ie siblings Peter and Alana Ford and Dad and daughter, Charlie Bone and Sarah Jensen. It was great to see every team relay member supporting each – those were but not limited to:- Jose short, Maddy Price, Ashlee Scott, Bill Morgan, Ross Connor, Mark Pashalis, Colin Hardy, Carmel Mahon, Steve Oberg, Jo Hughes, Brenda Windsor, Carol Brown, Tim Caddy, Leon Ryan, Derek Woods, Noel Barnett, Jo Skinner, June Bradley, Peter Ellison, Matt Graves, Jo Skinner, Mark Takagaki, Mitchell Thompson and Arthur Dick.

This Sunday’s social off season event will commence at 5.30pm from the Railway Station car park, Paget. The 9km team challenge will be a definite mental and physical test, therefore an afternoon Nana nap is recommended. Runners are also reminded to ensure they keep hydrated at all times and to bring their own fluids/snacks if required throughout the run. Jim’s lovely assistant, Alana, does an awesome job bringing post run refreshments, however, runners are to be mindful of their own replenishment needs as well. Many thanks to Jim and Alana for their time in organising the Sunday events….so much appreciated.