This week's Thursday night run is at the Traralgon Racecourse (5km). A reminder that you can always find the details for Thursday's run using the link at the top of this website, our newsletter or via our facebook and instagram pages.
Last Sunday saw the club’s 26th running of the Community Fun Run, and what a fantastic day it was. Huge congratulations and thanks to first-time Race Directors Trent Kooyman and Clinton Jolly for all their time, efforts, ideas and skills in putting together the event. Probably the most pleasing aspect once again, was how many Harriers jumped in to help make the day run smoothly.
The club ethos of volunteering, of supporting each other and our events, and member’s willingness to help out in whatever way they can, is overwhelmingly positive. It’s such a wonderful aspect of this club. Thanks to everyone who chipped in to make the day a success. You can read Trent and Clinton’s report in this newsletter.
With Winter Season starting in 2 weeks, I remind everyone to get into their cupboards and find your reflective vests. All members have been issued a “power rangers” vest as part of their membership (it’s worth over $55) to keep us safe on those dark winter nights. It is club mandated to wear the vest, for safety, and also to satisfy our agreement with Latrobe City.
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 DURING WINTER SEASON. Guests and forgetful members will be issued a loaner to be returned. All new financial members receive a vest as part of their membership. 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 if running on the road 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 over the years, and the last thing we want to see is a member getting injured due to negligence or 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 (probably irrational and crazy) 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.
Again, 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 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. There are a multitude of reasons why you might not be on the roster; you’re a course marker, you don’t run Thursdays (only do AV or you’re a social member only), 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 should 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 members should be at the course as close to 5:30 as possible. Those who do duty or course marking get bonus points in the championships each season.
Duty Roster Winter 2023
REMEMBER: If you can’t fulfil your allocated duty, the onus is on you to swap with someone.
APRIL
4 Kylee Earl & Kristine Sapkin
11 Luke Witham & Krissi Creighton
18 Kylie Warner & Ella Warner
25 ANZAC Peter Fairbairn & Sav Mavrofridis
MAY
2 Ian Cornthwaite & Owen Notting
9 Shane Gavin & Stacey Podmore
16 Nicholas Telerico & Maggie Wills
23 Gab Browne & Timothy Graham
30 Claire Macumber & Meg Macumber
JUNE
6 Ryan McLeod & Megan Scott
13 Fiona Syme & Des Dalton
20 Collette Hofmann & Ron Verschuur
27 Angelo Gaudiano & Kathleen Kent
The duty roster for the remainder of the season will be completed once memberships for the next 12 months are confirmed.
Which leads to topic that the club’s annual Membership is due next week. All members will need to renew their membership. Most members are Recreational, but we also have a strong AV rep team. Please discuss this with Club Captain Greg Semmler. The club has not raised its prices, however AV has lift their portion a touch. Harriers membership is more than worth it for what you get back. Athletics Victoria opens membership on 2 April. Please go to traralgonharriers.org.au and click the link to renew in a timely manner.
Run for the Kids in Melbourne was run 2 weeks ago, and we again had a great representation by Harriers. This is an annual run that many members love to get behind, and its another great way to have social connections. So many groups of Harriers run together, do dinner the night before, get some fantastic photos, and enjoy running in the city on closed roads. Daughter Kate and I have been running it for many years, and just enjoy the time. Most importantly, the event raised over 1.3 million dollars for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
There are always so many different events happening around the state and interstate, which sees Harriers members out there smashing PBs, challenging themselves, entering for the adventure, the experience, or with friends. Remember to get your articles into the newsletter.
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 to ensure it’s interesting, informative and relevant. Members enjoy reading of other member’s inspirational journeys, so don’t be shy to share. Shoot your articles, thoughts and running snippets through to Glenn Crawford at [email protected]
The new Winter Season Run Calendar is in this newsletter. Thanks to all those who put up their hand to be a Thursday Course Marker.
Master handicapper Legge has put together the run schedule for weekend events, and we’re looking for Race Directors. If you’re interested or think you could manage a small event (with support), please have a chat to a committee member. This is something that can be done as a team, so it doesn’t have to be just one person shouldering the job. You only have to look at the wonderful job Trent Kooyman and Clinton Jolly did with one of the largest club events, the Community Fun Run, to see what is possible with some team work.
Also, entry for this year’s Traralgon Marathon and Running Festival are now open. Again, go to the club website and click the link to take you to the entry. Make sure you support first-time marathon RD Desley Grey as she puts together the 57th running of our iconic event.
IMPORTANT Harriers Dates
21 April Springwood Trophy Crinigan Bush Reserve Morwell
2 June 2024 the 57th Traralgon Marathon
Finally, it was another good turnout for club dinner last week at the Italian Club after the Chook Hill run, especially considering so many of us were busy organising the CFR and couldn’t attend. Thanks to Club Secretary Alfie Warner and committee member David Barr for taking the reins on the night in the absence of Legge, Ann and myself.
Thought for the week: To succeed in life, you need three things; a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone!
Phill Mayer – President
