Jan 10 2016
Approximately fifty runners braved the very humid conditions last Sunday afternoon at 5.30pm for a series of hill sprints on the very testing Mt Bassett ascent. Runners easily paced themselves from the Old Mulherin Park precincts for the 1.5km run to the base of Mt Bassett, whereupon Club Captain and race director, Jim Ford explained the hill repeat concept that suited all abilities.
The fastest runner, Shawn Claydon lead the field up and down Mt Bassett, sounding the alarm once he reached the bottom. Runners then stopped at varying points on the hill depending on where they were when Shawn completed his first lap. All runners then had a one minutes rest before the whistle was blown for them to run up the hill from where they stopped, then head for the finish line….that was one rep. As Shawn was the lead runner, he actually did two laps as his one rep…. that’s what happens when you’re fast! All other runners did varying distances depending on their placement on the hill. Jim’s innovative course meant that all runners would be completing the rep at approximately the same time. Participants then had a two minute break then repeated the course three more times, before heading back to Old Mulherin Park for some well-deserved post run fruit/cake/random draws.
All runners ran exceptionally well in the sweltering heat including Carl Pinkstone, Jack Simpson, Flynn Wilson, Ashlee Scott, Caitlin Farlow, Alana Ford, Greg Coulson, Wayne Simpson, Scott McIntosh, Jose Short, Sophie Webb-Smith, Emma Goodman-Jones and Stephen Oberg. A big welcome to new runners, Danielle Garner and June Bradley who performed very well in their new surroundings.
Runners are now looking forward to Jim’s next exciting race course this Sunday at 5.30pm from the Railway Station carpark, Paget, which in previous years, has always proved to be very interesting! All new and existing runners are most welcome to attend, no need to be a Mackay Road Runners Member as the off season runs are of a very social nature with only a gold coin donation towards after run refreshments.
Those interested in becoming a 2016 member are invited to join up online for a very reasonable cost of:- $55 for a single adult; $110 for a family; $22 for a junior (under 18 years of age) – due last day of February to be eligible for handicap/club championship points. There are weekly race fees: Members – $2 per race per person (senior and junior) and payable on registering each race day; Non-Members – $10 seniors, $5 juniors and no race time recorded. For any further information, contact the Secretary 0403 344 289 or Janelle 0400 99 7432.
Over forty new and existing runners need to be congratulated on their huge efforts at last Sunday’s Base to Mater Hospitals 6 & 10km team event. Race Director/Club Captain, Jim Ford once again came prepared with an unusual course concept whereupon runners were teamed up with other runners as per their sign on number. Runners had the option of a shorter course from the Base Hospital to the beginning of the Canelands Bluewater Trail boardwalk and return, whilst the longer course runners continued to the Forgan Bridge. Competitors had the pleasure of running across the bridge, Riverside Drive towards Sams Road, Mater Hospital and return to the start via the road under the Ron Camm Bridge, Hume Street and Bridge Road.
New Year’s Eve’s late afternoon saw over twenty dedicated Mackay Road Runners meet at the Mackay Base Hospital carpark for a 6km or 10km run in very steamy conditions. Club Captain and Race Director, Jim Ford very thoughtfully warned runners of the extreme conditions, reminding them to back off their pace and use all water taps at regular intervals rehydrating at every opportunity. The course, which had runners depart the carpark towards the old Hospital Bridge, proceeded onto the meandering Bluewater Trail, thus providing runners with awesome scenic river vistas whilst challenging themselves in the testing weather.
Mackay Road Runners President, Tim Magoffin congratulates Podiatry Mackay’s Rebecca Baird for over 15 years support and sponsorship to the Club. Proprietor, Donald Orr was unfortunately absent for the presentation but has been a proud and integral member of the Mackay community since 1990. As a part of their commitment to complete patient-focused treatments, they offer appointments outside of our normal business hours upon request. Podiatry Mackay has been a major contributor to the Club, specifically, ongoing support to the junior ranks, including sponsoring Athletics North Qld Junior Cross Country races, the Eungella Junior King of the Mountain and the Junior Magic Mile. Donald has been a humble and generous supporter throughout the fifteen year association with the Club and Mackay Road Runners look forward to another fifteen years together. Mackay Road Runners congratulates Donald, Bec, Julie and staff on their move from their long term base in Carlyle Street to their new Clinic at the Gasworks Complex, Shakespeare Street, Mackay.
Last Sunday Mackay Road Runners welcomed over thirty runners and special guest, Leonie Featherstone (Author and Leader of a Blue Diamond Team Of Wellness Advocates for DoTerra Essential Oils) to their Christmas Eve Run from the Tourist Information Centre, Ram Chandra Place, City Gates.
Mackay Road Runners indulged into the Christmas spirit at last Sunday’s second last Sunday afternoon run before Christmas, happily and generously donating a huge array of non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal. Organiser of the hamper donations, Club Secretary, Alana Ford, was ecstatic with the response from Club members and local businesses over the past month with a huge quantity of items to be presented to the worthy charity this week. Among the generous sponsors was IGA Supermarket, South Mackay and Ricky Parker Painting. Ricky also donated six random draw Christmas gifts to the generous Club runners, with all winners very excited with their prizes. Ricky is always very supportive of the Mackay Road Runners, donating impressive cash prizes at the Mackay Marina Run as well as random draw prizes throughout the year at various running events.
Mackay Road Runners casual social off season training group met at the Mackay Surf Club to tackle a challenging 5.5km & 11km run South along East Point Road and return via the sandy shore line and Breakwater wall.
Mackay Road Runners endured extremely humid and oppressively stormy conditions at last Sunday’s ‘guess the distance’ event commencing 5.30pm from the Memorial Pool, Milton Street. Nearly thirty runners bravely challenged themselves to tackle the tough headwind on the outward journey on the Bluewater Trail, however, the expected much anticipated tailwind was nowhere to be felt on the return trip.
Mackay Road Runners latest event was the very unique odd/even 10km Team event commencing 5.30pm from Town Beach. Over forty runners enjoyed Club Captain Jim Ford’s course description, whereby runners split into two teams based on the odd or even date of their birth. Teams then separated to discuss tactics as per Jim’s guidelines, before each team ran in the opposite direction in an endeavour to cross the finish line as a team within the nominated time. The ‘Odd’ team lead by Alan Zamparutti, Peter Ford and Russell VanDenBosch ran south along the Town Beach Esplanade whilst the ‘Even’ team took on the Sandfly Creek trail headed by Shawn Claydon, Will Morgan, Martin Lambert, Jose Short and Andrew Wallace.
Mackay Road Runners continue to enjoy their running with the Club’s very social off season training program designed and hosted by Mackay Road Runners Club Captain, Jim Ford. Jim’s enjoyment was clear as he explained the very technical course to approximately forty runners as they listened as intently as they could despite being a Sunday afternoon…. and surprisingly enough, everyone got it right and no one got lost!
Mackay Road Runners welcome young German visitor, Kelly Bebendorf, who is in Australia visiting her Dad, Ross for twelve months prior to travelling south to Melbourne and Adelaide to further her study options. Talented Kelly was one of the fastest runners in the field as she easily accounted for the tricky ten kilometre track. Kelly has been enjoying running with the Club this year at a multitude of events including the formal Club program which ended early October, the Wednesday 5km social runs and the Sunday afternoon sessions. Her co-runners will be sorry to see her leave Mackay at the end of the year, but not as much as her Dad!