9km Tourist Info Social Run
December 28 2014
Approximately thirty Mackay Road Runners met last Sunday afternoon for the weekly, off season, casual training run from the Tourist Information Centre, City Gates, Nebo Road. The 9km event could be adjusted to suit all abilities and with the extremely humid conditions, runners sensibly paced themselves over their chosen distance.
Club Captain, Jim Ford, once again set another interesting concept course, which included teams doing double loop circuits through the Botanic Gardens before finishing with a short lap onto the Peak Downs Highway. Runners were then treated to well-deserved post-race refreshments, although the brownie chef was on strike this week much to the disappointment of Suranjan. All runners performed extremely well, including Martin Lambert, Mark Pashalis, Gabby DeBoni, Kyra Brownsey, Ashlee Scott, Jenna Bugeja, Rachel Sylvestri, Travis Mumford, Hayden Connor, Jamie Sanders, Leanne Connor, Julie Whibley, Layla Sanders, Marie Muscat and Russell VandenBosch.
A highlight of the run was Jim Ford performing a special going away presentation to Liam Mumford, who will be moving early next month to USA’s West Virginia University of Charleston. Liam, who has been offered and happily accepted an Athletics Scholarship from the University, will also be studying for a Sports Science degree whilst training and racing throughout the many athletics meets that the country has on offer. Liam will be returning to Mackay in May for a short break to race in a couple of his favourite local events, the Eungella King of the Mountain and the BMA Mackay Marina Run. Best wishes to Liam, who will not doubt do himself, his family and Mackay proud whilst he is in the States.
This Sunday’s casual training run commences 5.30pm from the southern end of Diesel Drive, Paget, where runners can look forward to another unique ‘Jim’ course. The Wednesday 5km social run at 6pm on 31st December will commence from Metro Cafe, River Street (as per Xmas Eve) in lieu of the usual Bluewater Quay precinct due to major New Year’s Eve celebrations being held at the Quay. The venue will return to normal the following week being the first Wednesday run for 2015.
All interested persons are reminded to check out www.mackayroadrunners.com.au for the official 2015 program or for any queries, you are welcome to phone Janelle 0400 99 7432.
Approximately forty Mackay Road Runners got into the spirit of the last Sunday run before Christmas with a 5/10km event from the Bucasia Shopping Centre. The very warm conditions were thankfully not as hard to handle with the cool afternoon sea breezes easing the humidity slightly.
Last Sunday’s River to Breakwater 10km from the Mackay Surf Club was held in warm, but awesome conditions, as runners traversed the sandy tracks parallel to East Point Road towards the mouth of the River.
Mackay Road Runners continue to run socially after the completion of their official 2014 program, with some training for specific events, whilst others just happy to start or maintain their fitness over the silly season.
Last Sunday afternoon’s extremely humid weather did not deter over thirty runners from battling the stifling conditions as they blazed over the 8km course which included the beautiful Sandfly Creek Trail, the full length of Goldsmith Street and nearly three kilometres of Town Beach.
Last Sunday afternoon at 5.30pm, over forty runners were treated to another challenging course designed by Mackay Road Runners Club Captain, Jim Ford. The three loop social course catered for all abilities where runners had the options to do one, two or three loops or even utilise the park pathways from Norris Road thorough to Annie Wood Avenue. Jim’s course led runners from the Mackay North High School precincts along Valley Street, up High and down Pollock Streets onto Norris Road before further steep ascents of Raymond Croker and Bona Vista Drives. Runners then descended Annie Wood and James Croker Avenues back to Norris Road for the final loop back to the start via the Touch Football fields and North Mackay High School oval. Adding to the enjoyment of the run, Jim also allocated runners into four teams based on their zodiac signs, which meant teams had runners of varying abilities, with the first whole team to cross the line taking out the coveted prize! All runners were rewarded with refreshing watermelon after their awesome efforts.
Last Sunday’s 5/10km Bluewater Quay to Mt Pleasant social run was attended by approximately forty avid runners who thoroughly enjoyed the course and race concept set by Mackay Road Runners Club Captain, Jim Ford. The warm conditions thankfully became quite mild from the 5.30pm start as runners hit the Bluewater Trail and Forgan Bridge towards the Gooseponds before the serious ascent of High Street to the Lookout. Runners had the option of turning at the Gooseponds, thus catering for those wanting the shorter course. Jim’s race style was to separate runners into handicapped groups starting five minutes apart and regrouping at the half way point before the return trip to the starting point, where runners were then rewarded with refreshing watermelon and chocolate brownies for their efforts. These off season social runs are great for those wanting to retain their fitness in the off season with no pressure to race. All Mackay Road Runners members and non-members are very welcome to attend and are warmly invited to bring along their friends and families for a casual training run.
In other exciting running news, Mackay’s Andy List had a successful outing at the Barrier Reef Running Festival in Port Douglas at the weekend, where he scored a sensational 7hrs 49min, 7th overall and 1st in his age category in the very arduous 74km trail run. In steamy conditions, Andy finished in a time massively better than he expected, even though the last five kilometres was on the beach. Andy’s efforts were nothing short of amazing as he was only forty minutes behind the winner, six and a half minutes behind fourth and thirty-one minutes ahead of ultra-marathon legend Pat Farmer who was in his age category. At the same event, Lisa Frazer ran an awesome four hours five minutes in the 42.2km marathon where the conditions were very humid and tough as she had to tackle varying terrains similar to the 74km event. Lisa’s exceptional efforts scored her 1st in her age category, 4th female and 18th overall!! Congratulations to both runners!!!
Approximately forty runners were challenged to a very technical course in warm and windy conditions last Sunday from the Lamberts Beach Esplanade precincts. Race Director, Jim Ford, who was unfortunately absent, missed all the fun, especially the sand dunes, however, he instructed Shawn Claydon to be his able substitute Race Director for the day. Shawn divided the runners into groups whereby half took on the hilly lookouts challenge, whilst the other half scored a beach run which included three reps of a particularly ugly sand dune before the return trip. To ensure that no one missed out on either event, both groups then swapped to do the opposite course, finishing back at the cul de sac turn around at the Seabreeze Resort Hotel. Runners were then deservedly rewarded to post race treats of watermelon and Bakers Delight scones/fruit loaf.
Even though the formal Mackay Road Running season has drawn to a close, many avid runners are still keen to retain their fitness until the 2015 formal season begins in February. Many runners also still have off season out of town goal events in Cairns, Sydney and Hobart that they are training for, including Andy List, Martin Lambert, Karen Low and Shawn Claydon. Approximately forty runners enjoyed the first off season 4.5km & 9km run from the Mater Hospital a couple of weeks ago as well as last Sunday’s Bluewater Quay City Centre Pairs Loop organised Club Captain, Jim Ford. Jim’s very inventive courses are not to be missed for any runner wanting to enjoy a relaxed social Sunday afternoon run with like-minded individuals. Jim traditionally likes to mix things up to suit runners of all ages and abilities including challenges for the more experienced as well as realistic distances for the runners who are new and possibly returned from injury or layoff.
Several Mackay Road Runners had a very successful outing at the Melbourne Running Festival recently, with personal best times recorded by Carmel Mahon (3hrs 28min), Lindsey Wiggins (3:37) and Brendan Bishop (4:31). Marathon runners, Janelle Tilse (3:45), Karla Hook (3:51), Shawn Claydon (2:45), Half Marathoner Paul Tilse (2:16) and 10km runner Tim Magoffin were happy with their performances, however, as usual with most runners, always wanting to do that few minutes/seconds better! Although the runners enjoyed some well deserved downtime at the Mackay Road Runners Awards night last weekend, they will not be relaxing for too long with several goal events in the pipeline in the coming months.
The 2014 Mackay Road Runners Awards Evening was an unheralded success with ecstatic recipients rewarded for their outstanding efforts throughout the year. The Clarion Hotel was the perfect venue for the Club to host its annual Presentation, where special guests, Club Patron Col Meng and his wife Rhonda were in attendance, as well as local Olympian Benita Willis’s representative Skye Rettke.
Carmel Mahon was the outstanding female runner of the year, taking out the overall Female Club Champion award. Carmel recorded many personal best times, including the recent Melbourne Marathon where she ran a very impressive three hours 28 minutes. New to the senior ranks, Ashlee Scott ran extremely well to clinch second ahead of talented triathlete Nikki Giles.
Evergreen, seventy year old runner, Stuart Sprott claimed an amazing first place in the lower age category in the Male Club Championship award over Merv Shields and David Isbister.
The second last run on the formal Mackay Road Runners program was held in beautifully warm conditions from the Botanic Gardens last Sunday morning. The 5km Time Trial concept was a social informal event where runners could time themselves and personally gauge how they finished the formal running season from when they started eight months ago. Over thirty runners thoroughly enjoyed the awesome undulating course set by Club President, Tim Magoffin.
This Sunday’s final Mackay Road Runners event on the formal calendar will be a 7.5km with options of 2.5km & 5km via loops of the Gooseponds, commencing 4pm from the Willis Street car park cul de sac alongside the John Breen Park, North Mackay. There will be a free sausage sizzle after the event as well as random draw prizes.
The final Club Championship race of the Mackay Road Runners season was held last Sunday from Queens Park. The racing was fast and furious as Club Members had their last opportunity to score valuable open and age category club championship points towards end of year trophies to be presented at the prestigious awards night on Saturday, 18th October at the Clarion.
A big welcome back to John Schoneveld, who has been absent from the running scene for some time. John was a very versatile, talented and speedy runner with the club, scoring sensational times in distances ranging from the mile to the Marathon. John easily completed the 3km Club Championship event confirming this was his second run in 12 years!
The Mackay Road Runners annual Run the Whitsunday Great Walk 28km was run and won yesterday from the beautiful precincts of the awesome Whitsundays. The Signature Event was organised by an excellent committee headed by Andy List, Karen Baker, Greg Coulson, Marie Muscat and their partners as well as a band of sensational volunteers, who travelled from Mackay to specifically assist in the event.
Over fifty members and non-members congregated at the Bluewater Lagoon parklands opposite Canelands to contest the third Mackay Road Runners annual Benita Willis 10km handicap trophy. Olympian and local running legend, Benita Willis personally selected the 10km distance as one of her favourite distances and has subsequently donated autographed photos and an Olympic shirt in an awesome framed perpetual trophy for the outstanding club member who crosses the line first based on their 10km handicap start time. Perfect running conditions allowed runners to have the opportunity to run a great time, as many did.
In addition to the 10km event, there was an option to do a 5km, which was avidly supported by sprint demons, Ricky Parker and Hayden Connor. Congratulations to all members and non-members who competed in both events, including Marnie Harding, Megan Notnagel, Jim Ford, Anna Ryan, Greg Coulson, Mark McFadzen, Ulrika Widdowson, Jan Smith, Andrew Short, Anna Ottaway, Brendan Hinschen, Michael Williams, Trevor Hodgson, Stuart Sprott and Leanne Connor.
Mackay Road Runners in association with REPCO successfully staged their annual Pre Father’s Day 5k & 10k social fun run……and in the words of the Club President, Tim Magoffin, one of the most important days of the year…Father’s Day!
The 2 x 6km loop course of Bonson’s Scrub Road and Ian Reddacliffe Drive at The Leap was a very character building experience for approximately forty runners as they scaled and conquered the seriously hilly ascents of the scenic rural suburb last Sunday afternoon at 4.30pm.
Carmel Mahon’s excellent running was evident as she charged up and down the many hills in the 12km to claim gold ahead of training buddy, Karla Hook, with Karen Low securing third. Excellent running also came from Angie Furdek, Anna Ryan, Emma Goodman-Jones, Sandra Henderson and Ulrika Widdowson.
Approximately sixty runners sprinted the 1.6km Podiatry Mackay Magic Mile held from the precincts of the Seabreeze Tavern, Lamberts Beach last Sunday afternoon. The sunny, cool conditions were perfect for running, although the swirling breezes and slightly undulating streets in the later stages of the race made it tough as the lactic acid and bursting lungs came to the fore.
There were some outstanding individual performances in the under 13 years category – 3rd placed five year old Millie Bishop running with her Dad Brendan, 2nd placed Lani Featherstonehaugh (7yrs) running with her Mum Mel, Kyo Kupke (8yrs), Sam Riggs (8yrs), Zach Larsson (13yrs and 1st place), Rory Larsson (9 years & 3rd place), Hamish Donnollan (9yrs & 2nd place).
Over fifty runners were treated to a tough test of hills from the beautiful precincts of the Eimeo Pacific Hotel last Sunday at 4pm. The weekend weather cleared perfectly for great running conditions as Mackay Road Runners traversed the many undulating streets of Eimeo, Dolphin Heads and Blacks Beach.
Andy List ran sensationally to cover the 14km in an awesome time of 58 minutes 19 seconds, the only runner under the hour. Graeme Harris also sizzled around the course in spectacular form, clocking one hour five minutes, 17 seconds less than half a minute ahead of a fast finishing Darren Binstead (1:05:39). Lindsey Wiggins (1:06:47) was also in fine form speeding through the hilly sections of the course taking out the fourth fastest time ahead of David Vincent (1:08:44), Sandy Strong (1:09:04), Simon Henderson (1:11:52) and Brendan Bishop (1:21:56). Paul Tilse was ecstatic to finally come in ahead of Stuart Sprott last week, but Stuart had his measure this week by over four minutes…..Stuart obviously gets better the longer the distance!
Cape Hillsborough National Park was the perfect setting for the annual 4.5km (junior) and 9k (senior) M-Test Club Championship race last Sunday, where over fifty runners competed for vital open and age category Club Championship points.
The 9km event was a hotly contested affair with Liam Mumford and Shawn Claydon battling for supremacy throughout the entire two loop course. The challenging course had Shawn take the early lead only to be overtaken by Liam leaving Shawn no choice but to surge again to regain the lead midcourse. The younger legs of Liam eventually overpowered Shawn on the final ascent to snatch the win by less than ten seconds. Third placed Andy List claimed the final podium position and maximum age category points ahead of Derek Woods. Martin Lambert ran a great fifth place ahead of Scott McIntosh, David Ada, Simon Henderson, Ross Connor, Greg Coulson and Glenn Baker.
Whilst several local competitors were running Marathons in Brisbane and Townsville last Sunday, Mackay Road Runners hosted a social 5km & 10km event from the Seabreeze Tavern, Lamberts Beach in very cool windy conditions.
In the 5km event, junior runners Hayden Connor, Darcy Webb-Smith, Hayden Brownsey and Swiss Exchange Student Celine Bersier revelled in the tough conditions, crossing the line in very respectable times alongside their older more experienced rivals including Liam Mumford, Simon Henderson, Paul Tilse, Jo Hughes, Ricky Parker, Ulrika Widdowson, Karen Low, Karen Bakr, Angie Furdek, Kim Saron, Sandra Henderson, Tash Bovenkamp, Shane Barben, Anna Ryan and Melissa Rich.
Perfect conditions were the order of the day for the running of the prestigious annual M-Test Eungella King of the Mountain 6.4km and Laura Pettifer Inspirational 3.2km Junior King of the Mountain.
The Laura Pettifer Inspirational Junior 3.2km King/Queen of the Mountain was a family affair with brother/sister combination breaking the tape first. Jamie and Layla Sanders were awesome in clinching the major prize of cash donated by Podiatry Mackay (Donald Orr) and Amart All Sports vouchers donated by Laura Pettifer’s Mum, Veronica. The Pettifer family have supported this event for several years since the passing of their very talented sportswoman daughter in a tragic cycling accident. Laura, who is a past winner of the 6.4km King of the Mountain, is very fondly remembered by all that knew her wonderful spirit which is now continued through her family’s legacy in supporting junior athletes.
Congratulations to Graeme Railton taking out the gold medal placing in last weekend’s Whitsunday Running Festival Half Marathon event at Airlie Beach. Graeme excelled in the extremely cool sunny conditions, where he also recorded a personal best time of 1 hr 25 minutes 02 sec. He was rapt with his performance, hoping that low humidity would assist in achieving a good time, but was ecstatic when he clocked his best ever time. Another local runner, Graeme Harris, also found the conditions to his liking, clocking a personal best time of 1 hour 32 minutes, and after several running injuries to contend with, was extremely pleased to achieve this result. Several other Mackay runners also performed extremely well, including, Emma Goodman-Jones, Matt Perkins and Mark McFadzen.
In the 5km event, Liam Mumford and Ashlee Scott lead the field from the gun and could not be bettered. Their outstanding form continues with each race they tackle in the lead up to this weekend’s Eungella King of the Mountain 6.4km. Thirteen year old Hayden Connor’s 5km performance was outstanding among the more experienced competitors. Great running also came from Sandra Henderson, Narumi Ito, Andreas Baum, Kim Saron, Ashleigh Mason, John Rodden, Robyn Madill and Simon Henderson.
Last Sunday, over forty Mackay Road Runners were competing at the internationally famous Gold Coast Marathon Running event……however, locally, in beautifully cool, sunny conditions, another forty or so runners attended the social 5km & 10km Mt Pleasant Tavern Trot.
Approximately three weeks after the very successful 2014 BMA Mackay Marina Run, the committee held a thank you breakfast at the Clarion Hotel, with special guest from Brisbane, The Leukaemia Foundation’s Community Fundraising Manager, Inga Hendy on hand to thank the Mackay Group.
The annual Shields Stampede 5km & 12km event was attended by over sixty avid runners in the perfectly cool running conditions from our generous hosts’ residence, Life Members, Wendy & Merv Shields.
An outstanding effort by big improver, junior runner, Cooper Rath to complete the 12km in one hour twenty one seconds, way ahead of his more experienced senior rivals, including his Mum….walking to school tomorrow Cooper????
Over forty runners braved the very cool, wet and windy conditions last Sunday from Cathy Freeman Oval to the Harbour North Wall and return. Five kilometre runners were fortunate to have their turnaround mark on the road just before Lamberts Beach’s Seabreeze Tavern, which meant no sand running for them. However, the 11km runners had a six kilometre stretch of beach included in the middle of their event, as well as a strong headwind on the outward journey to the turnaround at the Harbour’s North Wall. Not that they were complaining, it’s all part of the character building experience that makes running so fun!
After an awesome 8km run at last weekend’s Mackay Marina Run, Samat Widdup surpassed his 11km expectations by running his longest ever distance, just over 14kms in a bid to train for next year’s Mackay Marina Run Half Marathon.
Over fifty runners congregated at the East Point Road end of the Mackay Surf Club car park last Sunday afternoon to contest the 5k and 11km Mt Bassett Run. The beautifully warm running conditions were perfect for the club members’ final hit out before this weekend’s largest regional running festival, The BMA Mackay Marina Run.
The cool, wet conditions did not deter approximately forty runners where Lindsey Wiggins recorded the fastest time in the 6km Casu Jacks Pre Mother’s Day run from the Mackay Marina Precincts last Saturday. His excellent time which included a tough ascent of Mt Bassett, was two minutes clear of second placed Ross Connor. Third placed Hayden Connor, who was just over one minute in deficit, left big improver John Rodden cruising across the finish line just outside the podium placing’s in twenty-six minutes forty seven seconds.
Everyone’s a winner when you go to Hamilton Island, especially when you’re competing in a team or as an individual in the Stamford Financial Hamilton Island Hilly Half Marathon. The weather turned very cool and breezy come race day, although this was a definite advantage to attaining a personal best time where the conditions are usually very hot and humid.
The 6km course consisted of a flat, fast track along Harbour Road to the 3km marker and return. Nearly twenty runners were sent from scratch and handicap starts, with the fastest time going to fourteen year old Jamie Sanders, who clocked a very speedy 23 minutes 19 seconds ahead of fellow talented junior girls Gabi DeBoni (25:23) and Rachel Silvestri (28:06). Second male, Scott McIntosh (28:13) was only a further seven seconds in deficit, followed by Narumi Ito (30:55), Layla Sanders (31:26) and Trinity Nash (31:56). Local girl, Tracey Sheehan, who has been living in London for the past six and a half years, returned to Mackay to compete in the 6km event. Tracey, who has been competing in half marathons and triathlons over the last few years in London, revelled in the early morning humidity. Other excellent performances also came from Julie Whibley, Rachel Bidgood, John Rodden, Kim Saron, Sandy Marchetti, Sandra Henderson, Mikaela Claydon-Cook, Trudi Barben, James Magoffin and Bayden Barrett.
Mackay Road Runners invites and welcomes new runners including Michelle Bofinger, Tayah Mills and Katrina Tognolini who performed extremely well in the 17km race, as did regular runners, Ulrika Widdowson, Glenn Baker, Alex Anderson, Marie Muscat, Julie Osborn, Mary Blakeney, Kylie Binstead, Linda McFadzen, Paul Tilse, Andrew Short, and Robyn Madill.
Local runner Shawn Claydon had a very successful outing at the Virgin Money London Marathon on 13th April, where he placed 378th overall in a massive field of nearly 36,000 runners. Shawn’s time of 2hrs 45 minutes 21 seconds was several minutes outside his goal time, so unfortunately his race did not quite go to plan, however, even though he was disappointed, his positive attitude was that it was the best he could do on the day. His 5km splits in the first half of the race were impressive as he clocked a 1hr 17min 24 sec half marathon, although with the toughest part of the race to come, he couldn’t sustain his pace. Shawn said “I took off feeling really good and didn’t back off, but then died for a few kilometres which really slowed him up for the crucial final stages of the race.” Shawn had trained extremely well leading into the event, so was feeling in top condition to do a personal best time. He said “the weather was nice and cool considering the race started at 10am, there were spectators the entire course and they encouraged everyone which was very uplifting.” Shawn said it was very special to have your name called out by random spectators (his name was on his singlet) as well as literally hundreds of people along the course watching, playing music, etc. Shawn is now enjoying some well deserved downtime seeing the sights of Ireland and Paris for a couple of weeks before he heads home to the real world!!!
Excellent running in the 5km came from Ross Connor, Samat Widdup, Trudi Barben, Kim Saron, Hayden Connor and Sandy Marchetti. In addition, runners in the 14km who ran extremely well included Liam Mumford, Lindsey Wiggins, Andy List, Ulrika Widdowson, Jan Smith, Stuart Sprott, Karen Baker, Paul Arvidson, Tim Magoffin, Andrew Short, Martin Lambert, Glenn Baker, Shane Donnollan, Jo Hughes, Lisa Burns and milestone birthday boy, Ricky Parker.
Race D
Graeme Railton ran an awesome race to come from behind to take the top prize and third overall in the 21.1km ahead of the highly credentialed Lee Taylor and Andy List. Railton enjoyed the toughness of the event, revelling in the heavy track conditions, which included many water crossings, slippery rocky and muddy undulations, thus adding to the unique test of trail running.
Approximately seventy runners battled the very humid conditions in last Sunday’s Forsyth Accountants 5km & 10km Club Championship event which commenced at 4pm from Queens Park.
Ashlee Scott was sensational in the 10k, placing fourth overall and taking maximum club championship points ahead of fast finishing Carmel Mahon, Nikki Giles, Vicki Vickers, Karla Hook, Judy Zahn, Lisa Burns and Karen Low.
In the 5km event, many of the junior runners, including Campbell Behan, Aidan Donnollan, Charlotte Fordyce, Ryan Barben, Hayden Connor, Narumi Ito and Tom Henderson performed very well over the tough course, with numerous varying undulations over the very technically difficult course.
The first of the Mackay Road Runners Club Championship races for 2014, the Rock n Road Cycles 5km, was held in very dismal, cyclonic conditions, but went ahead nevertheless. Approximately fifty brave runners had to alter their running style and speeds to suit the treacherous conditions, but were elated to complete the ‘character building’ event. Long time, generous sponsor, Ron Steel from Rock n Road Cycles once again supported the event with awesome random draw prizes that unfortunately were unable to be drawn due to the atrocious post-race conditions. However, this Sunday’s 4/8km run at 5pm from the beach end of Bridge Road will be re-gifted to Rock n Road Cycles in honour of Ron’s support of Mackay Road Runners’ events.
The top three male competitors were only seconds apart as Liam Mumford snatched the win in 17 minutes 24 seconds from Shawn Claydon (17:46) followed by the very gifted and talented fifteen year old Jamie Sanders, who secured bronze in 17 minutes 48 seconds. Sanders has literally improved in leaps and bounds as he gains strength and confidence in his abilities as a top class runner. Jade Bidgood is another up and coming talent, scoring fourth in 17 minutes 57 seconds ahead of experienced veteran, Andy List (19:00) and Graeme Railton (19:59). Top class performances also came from Merv Shields, Ricky Parker, Simon Henderson, Hayden Connor, Andrew Short, Derek Woods, Sandy Strong and Scott McIntosh.
After a very successful Sports Expo & sign on at the MECC last Sunday, Mackay Road Runners held their first official event on the 2014 running program…..the 5km Harbour Lighthouse social run. Many thanks to volunteers for helping out at the Expo with setting/packing up and promoting the Club to the many prospective members that visited the stall. Congratulations to Mackay Regional Council for putting on and supporting this great annual event.
Last Sunday’s 10km sand dune run from the Harbour North Wall was a very blustery, sandblasting affair due to the aftermath of Cyclone Dylan. Approximately fifty runners were treated to a gritty test of determination, topped off with a large layer of sand as they trudged through the sand dune trails towards the Seabreeze Tavern at Lamberts Beach. The Jim Ford designed course allowed for runners to be grouped together based on their abilities, then regather at regular intervals through the circuit to ensure the safety of all runners.
Last Sunday, an awesome attendance of nearly fifty runners congregated at the Harbour Lighthouse Boat ramp for a 2km warm-up run to Mt Bassett. Once again, Race Director, Jim Ford, designed another uniquely interesting format (thanks Jim, I don’t know where you get your ideas from), whereby runners were each given a playing card on their first lap up Mt Bassett. One of the faster runners, Liam Mumford, lead the group up Mt Bassett and when he reached the top, blew a whistle to signal all runners to stop where they were, place the card on the hill and run back to the start. Runners then continued to do four more repeats of the hill, endeavouring to push themselves harder on each lap to see how far past their card they would end up by the time Liam blew the whistle again when he reached the top of the hill. Runners enjoyed the novelty of the course, whilst still getting a great training workout and bonding experience with the other participants as they regathered at the base of Mt Bassett before each lap. The efforts of the runners in the very humid conditions were a credit to them towards improving their fitness and running goals.
Mackay Road Runners off season social running race director, Jim Ford conducted a very unique course for over thirty runners last Sunday from the Paget Industrial Estate. Jim organised a very well thought out course titled “Planet Paget”, where his brainwave was for six teams to find six mystery locations in the unusually quiet streets late Sunday afternoon in Paget. The winning team consisting of Calvin Deacon, Carmel Mahon, Ashlee Scott, Karla Hook and Martin Lambert were excellent in deciphering the best options towards ticking off the nominated checkpoints on their card. All team members had to cross the finish line together as part of the event to take the top prize. Their combined individual talents and supportive united teamwork was a major factor in their successful result.