This week’s run is Waterhole Creek Morwell 6km
Duty: Katelyn Rowe & Felicity Beasley. CM: Callie Cook.
Park at Morwell Park Primary School; enter off Hourigan Road or Bolger St off Vary St.
Check the plotaroute https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2355433
*CLUB DINNER AT THE MORWELL ITALIAN CLUB AFTER THE RUN.
ALL MEMBERS & FRIENDS WELCOME.
Next week’s run is the ASIC 5km
Duty: Bjorn Luxmann & Paul Smith. CM: Andrew Legge.
COURSE MARKERS - In light of many getting lost, going the wrong direction and not seeing arrows recently, please refer to the Course Marking Notes, to refresh yourselves on what’s required for safety and making sure runners stay on course. Molly will have a copy to hand out this week. Thanks to Pete Sanders for helping to compile.
We will be altering some courses for future seasons for safety and clarity. We’ll be eliminating courses where runners cross back towards each other; so most winter courses will be circuits in one direction. We also remind walkers to please step to the side to allow runners to pass (either way, approaching from the front or overtaking). Walkers have more awareness than runners generally, due to runners being “in the zone”. Please be courteous and considerate of each other. Times are not as important as safety or the enjoyment for all members.
Continuing on the note of safety, there was an incident at the Liddiard Road run 2 weeks ago which has been bought to my attention and requires addressing. Several runners had cause to jump off the road due to an on-coming car, which seemed to purposely swerve at them in an aggressive and unnecessary manner. Apparently these members were running safely, on the right hand side of the road, close to the gutter, on a wide section of road, and yet the car decided to have an issue or thought it would be “fun” to intimidate runners because they were on the road. Please, all members remember, we do not have right-of-way on roads. Please be safe and vigilant. And please be aware that there are some complete fools on the road, who seem to take joy in trying to interrupt, intimidate or enforce their own “laws” on others. Going forward, it is essential that the committee is aware of any of these sorts of incidents, and please look out for each other.
The club has been asked to facilitate the cross country events for The Victorian Teacher’s Games on Sunday 17th September at Glengarry. It should be a great day, with 5k and 10k events being run. It’s another feather in the cap for the club to be asked to run this event. We’ll be chasing some volunteers for the day. It won’t be a huge time commitment, so if you’re available and interested, please let me know. Thank you to those who have already volunteered.
It’s wonderful to have some nicer weather gracing us recently, and spring is only a few short weeks away. I personally struggle during winter and the cold, and it seems to get harder each year, but having a great group of people to catch up with each week, and having a routine, for me, really helps get through the colder months, and maintain at least a level of activity and fitness. Bring on daylight saving, warm weather and some trails.
There are 5 starting groups for Thursday runs. This saves congestion on footpaths at the start, and a mass of runners on roads in town. Club Handicapper Andrew Legge has grouped members into fair handicaps based on times (check the table in this newsletter or on FB). If you feel you need to be re-handicapped please have a chat to him. Handicaps are about members running in a group that is commensurate with the individual member’s time, so we all run in a group with similar times and ability. Handicaps are not a penalty. It spreads runners out at the start, so is safer, and means that members all finish around the same time. Handicaps are fluid and adjusted as required. Let those on duty know if there is a mistake so they can make note and can be rectified.
Make sure you get your name checked off the list BEFORE starting, making note of your group.
Group 1 (Walkers/Slower Runners) - Start Upon Arrival
Group 2- Start 5:50
Group 3- Start 6
Group 4- Start 6:05
Group 5- Start 6:10
Winter Season Rules
Self Timing (please give time to duty member after you’ve finished the course).
New Runners Always Welcome (2 free runs before membership).
ALL RUNNERS MUST WEAR THE CLUB-APPROVED REFLECTIVE VEST. Guests and forgetful members will be issued a loaner to be returned. All new financial members receive a vest as part of their membership (over $55 value). ALL MEMBERS MUST WEAR A CLUB APPROVED REFLECTIVE VEST AT EVERY WINTER RUN. This is part of an agreement made with Latrobe City and Vic Pol.
PLEASE check in with duty members and get your name marked off the list BEFORE you take to the course (Very important for safety so we know who is on course). Walkers still start upon arrival for winter season.
Look after junior runners and newbies. Be careful on the road, at road crossings. Give way to traffic.
Please run on the right hand side so you can see traffic, or preferably, on the footpath. Watch for obstacles. Safety is the priority over times!
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: Please be aware of cars if you’re running on the road. We do not have right-of-way. We’ve had a few close calls recently, and the last thing we want to see is a member getting injured due to negligence and not paying attention because they’re “in the zone”. This is not an allocation of fault or blame, just a fact that we need to be aware of. Please be careful, pay attention and look after yourselves when running on the road. Time should not be your major focus, your safety should be. Unfortunately, there are a lot of foolish drivers on the road, and also people who are hostile towards runners for a multitude of reasons. As a club we should not contribute to this negative perception by being foolish or inconsiderate ourselves. Every time we do a Thursday run on the road during winter, we are representing the club, and taking a calculated personal risk, so make sure you mitigate the risks and remain aware.
Run on footpaths if possible, but if you run on the road, stick to the right hand side gutter, so you can see oncoming traffic and move onto the nature strip if required.
All members please check the Winter Duty Roster and make note of your rostered date. If you can’t do your allocated duty, it’s up to you to swap with someone or get a fill-in. If you’re not on the roster it’s because you’re a course marker, you don’t run Thursdays (only do AV), you’re a junior member, late-in-the-season-joining new member, or you got lucky. That’s the benefit of having good membership numbers; you get to run more and only have to do one duty in a season. The idea is to make duty fun, it’s not a chore. It’s a great way to get to know other members and put names to faces. (NB: If you’re on duty, you can run early, do the course and put in your time).
Duty Roster Winter 2023
REMEMBER: If you can’t fulfil your allocated duty, the onus is on you to swap with someone.
17 Aug Katelyn Rowe & Felicity Beasley
24 Aug Bjorn Luxmann & Paul Smith
31 Aug Tania Whitehead & Adam Van Baalen
7 Sept David Barr & Josh Dalton
14 Sep Anthony Magaldi & Andrew Greenhill
21 Sep Gary Fox & Shane Gavin
28 Sept Liz Kenney & Matilda Lappin
5 Oct Newborough Track Duty TBC
12 Oct Samantha McGown & Mandy Ellis
IMPORTANT Harriers Dates
17 Sept Harriers Hosting the Victorian Teachers Games (Volunteers needed)
5 Oct Newborough Track Night
8 Oct Memorial Run (12k & 6K Road Events, Morwell)
3 Dec King & Queen of the Mountain (30k Individual + Relay Teams, Mt. Tassie)
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GENERAL CLUB NOTES
For those doing Thursday duty, please arrive by 5:40 at the start of the course. The list will be there provided by Handicapper Andrew Legge. You need to check-in all attending members (by highlighting their names) before they set off on course, and write in their times at the end. One person should be responsible for the list, the other should be on the clock and announcing start times for the groups (use your phone). Give each group a two minute, one minute and 10 second warning, and then a clear vocal start.
Course markers should inform of any aspects on the course for safety, and you should be familiar with the course if there is a plotaroute (many summer trails don’t have them) so you can give directions especially to new runners (who you should make feel welcome and inform me of their attendance to give a shout out at the end). Plotaroutes are posted on the club’s FB page and Insta. The course marker should make note of any obstructions or obstacles and point them out at the start of the run and inform those on duty. Winter in town runs must be marked with white chalk with large arrows.
Course Markers are to get marking chalk from Molly Irvine, preferably the week prior to your course at the Thursday run. Marking is dependent upon weather, and should be done just before the run to ensure clear, fresh arrows.
In the event that weather is seriously inclement in winter (severe rain, gale force winds) we may cancel the Thursday run, but traditionally, Thursday Harriers is run in spite of the weather. If it is too bad to run, we’ll notify cancellation via social media. If the weather is bad and we still run, we may just cancel doing lucky member draw and member’s address after, to avoid standing around in the cold. In that case, members can arrive, run, lodge times and go, with no need to stand around freezing.
Traralgon Harriers Merchandise – Remember we’ve got club socks, caps, visors and beanies; socks come in women’s and men’s and are $15 for members ($20 for non-members), caps are one-size fit $20 ($25 non), and beanies are $20 for members ($25 for non). We also have running singlets at a cost of $30 for members. All merchandise is at a subsidised cost to members; we’re not trying to make money off these items, just provide another way for members to unify, identify and fly the club flag.
Lucky Member Prize Draw after each Thursday run - All financial members are on the list. Remember you must be there to collect your prize otherwise it is re-drawn (This happens a fair bit, so don’t miss out - Don’t be a winner who leaves and therefore loses). The value of the prizes has gone up so it’s even more worth your while sticking around. Remember, the draw happens after the last runner is through and all times have been recorded. Thanks to Kaye Livingstone for organising the weekly prizes.
At the end of each Thursday run we also welcome and acknowledge any new runners who have joined us for the first time. If you see a new face, say hi, chat to them and make sure they stick around and feel welcomed. We seem to have new runners every week and a lot are actually joining after their 2 free runs.
Aside from our Thursday runs, club weekend events and AV team opportunities, the club also has 2 fantastic weekly training groups, one in the morning for early risers, and one in the evening after work ..
T-Squad Weekend Sessions; usually Saturday mornings from 8:30am, at various locations with Greg Semmler. Join the FB Group “T Squad” for more details. This group has built into a really strong part of the Harriers, and aside from quality training, they enjoy breakfast together. Food is a great motivation!
Tuesday Group Sessions; at the Little Aths Track, Davidson Street Traralgon from 6pm with me and a great team. Join the FB Group “Traralgon Tuesday Running Group” for more details. This group has been going for over 20 years, and is all about training (obviously) but also laughs, support and friendships. The camaraderie at TTRG is the thing that has seen it continue for so long, so if you haven’t come along to a session, put it in your diary.
The club newsletter is an important communication medium, and most members use it as a place to get updates, information and share stories. Our NL editors work hard each week to ensure that it is interesting, informative and relevant. Most members enjoy reading of other member’s adventures and inspirational journeys, so don’t be shy to share and shoot your articles, thoughts and running snippets through. Send your notes to [email protected]
Some may know that Ian and Denise Twite’s nephew passed away recently. Nick Lowden was a talented footballer and a young man with a future. His passing has touched the community as these things always do.
On behalf of the club, I pass our sympathy and thoughts to Ian, Denise and their extended family and friends.
Thought for the week: “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans” - John Lennon
Phill Mayer – President
