Obviously the big club news this week is the 56th Marathon. There’s a report and photos in this NL, but suffice to say, it was a wonderful day, very successful, and the club should be proud of again hosting such an iconic event.
This week’s run is Waterhole Creek Morwell 5k.
Park at the Morwell Park Primary School. There is no plotaroute as the run is mainly along paths. Duty: Ron Verschuur & Collette Hoffman. CM: Alysha Duncan.
*Next week’s run is a NEW 5k RUN from Traralgon Bowls Club.
CLUB DINNER AT THE BOWLS CLUB AFTER. Park at the bowls club.
Duty: Mark Fairbairn & Ian Cornthwaite. CM: Andrew Legge.
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.
On that note, the severe rain and cold kept many members away last week, but we still had 36 crazy runners on the St. Paul’s 5k course. The rain actually stopped about 10 minutes before the first group set off, and held until after we’d finished. My take is, it’s only weather.
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.
Remember, we’re back to 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 rehandicapped 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!
We’ve hit the 149 members mark, and there are still quite a few long-time members who have not renewed. Come summer, I think it’s safe to say we’ll break the club record number of members. If you haven’t yet renewed or signed up if you’re a newbie to the club, please do so. It makes managing the club, AV organisation and insurances more smooth to administer.
*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.
^Indicates you didn’t turn up for your rostered duty or organise a fill-in, so you may be reallocated at a later date.
6 April Geoff Francis & Lee Francis
13 April Karen Graham & Catherine Leonard
20 April Michelle Colwell & Kathy Quinn
27 April Darrell Cross & ^Michael Walker
4 May Krissi Crieghton & Luke Witham
11 May Errol Poole & Angelo Gaudiano
18 May ^Nick Hodson & Kylee Earl
25 May David Hood & Andrew Broburg
1 June Claire McCumber & Emma Marino
8 June Ron Verschuur & Collette Hoffman
15 June Mark Fairbairn & Ian Cornthwaite
22 June Paul Rollandin & Nicholas Talerico
29 June Stephen Renehan & Andrew Panayiotou
6 July Kate Cumming & Clinton Jolly
13 July Glenn Graham & Kathleen Kent
20 July Trent Kooyman & Owen Notting
27 July Jason Odlum & David Wirken
3 Aug Kylie Murray & Rose Croft
10 Aug Michelle Sawyer & Maree Graham
17 Aug Katelyn Rowe & Felicity Beasley
24 Aug Bjorn Luxmann & Paul Smith
31 Aug Tania Whitehead & Denise Twite
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 & John Richards
*IMPORTANT Harriers Dates
8 June Club Dinner Traralgon Bowls Club after run
22 June Marathon Acquittal Meeting 7:30 in the Club Rooms
25 June Wirilda Park (21k & 10k events) RDs Greg Semmler & Miles Verschuur
29 June AGM ALL MEMBERS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
29 July Mid-year Presentations, Traralgon Bowls Club
August Date TBC Memorial Run (12k & 6K road events)
5 Oct Newborough Track
The AGM fast approaches. We all know that a healthy club requires new energy, new ideas and a little helping of selflessness to keep it going. If you haven’t yet, it’s time to think about taking on an important club role, such as becoming a Race Director or joining the committee. The commitment isn’t that cumbersome, and it’s actually quite enjoyable working with great people for the benefit of the club.
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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.
*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.
*T-Squad Weekend Sessions; usually Saturday mornings, various locations with Greg Semmler. Join the FB Group “T Squad” for more details.
*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.
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 editor Twitey works hard each week to ensure that it is interesting, informative and relevant. Many members enjoy reading of others adventures and inspirational journeys, so don’t be shy to share. Shoot your articles, thoughts and running snippets to Twitey ([email protected]).
Thought for the week: The same boiling water that softens a potato hardens an egg. It’s what you’re made of, not the circumstances, which dictate your character and attitude.
Phill Mayer – President
The 56th version of our iconic Traralgon Marathon is done!
And what a day it was! All the stars aligned to ensure that we had a fantastic day and continued to build on the reputation of the event being the longest running in Australia, but also, and perhaps more importantly, a truly “friendly country” event in spirit, not just in name.
There were so many stories of overcoming adversity and personal achievement, some amazing times and personal bests, so many first time runners, visitors to the region and incredible contributions towards making the day a success.
Of course there was some adversity in getting the event up, but there always is. Despite this, we were determined that we run it and maintain our marathon’s continuous record and honour the history of this iconic event. I am justifiably proud to say it was a special day for all members who participated or volunteered, and it was a showcase to all the guests who entered. Over three quarters of the runners across the events were non-Harriers, with many coming from metro and other regional areas, from inter-state and even from New Zealand.
How magnificent it was to see all the Harriers tops out on the course and around the hub. The Big T was honoured and greatly represented, running to support the club and the event and just running for the sake of it. We all run for different reasons but this unifies us, brings us together with a common goal, to support each other and cross that line.
Again I have been humbled by the messages from members, but also from visitors, and the support by our club community was overwhelming. It was a team effort, and there are so many people to thank; an event like this just does not run without club members buying-in, without support from the wider community, from sponsors, and of course participants signing up, paying their fee and running.
Our marathon is an exciting time for the club, and the event is massive. We closed off entry to all events early last week, as we hit our caps, which was brilliant. There is so much work, time and energy that goes into making this event a success, and without the invaluable volunteers, it wouldn’t happen. It is a team effort, but the work put in by some of the club’s usual suspects is priceless.
It would have been impossible to achieve what we did without Vice President Andrew Legge, Rob Preston, Clinton Jolly, Danelle Wright, Pete Sanders and Alfie Warner. Their input, skills, time, advice and support was gold.
Also a few others who need special mention for their contributions; Bruce Salisbury, Rick Mann, Trent Kooyman, Kathleen Kent, Maree Graham, Ann Bomers, Barry Higgins, Vicky Aitkins, Tobiasz Grzmil, Jodi Hammett, Molly Irvine, Glenn Graham, Sue Stranger, Jackie Mann, Heather Farley, Ron Verschuur, Miles Verschuur, Greg Semmler, Dave Barr, Giuseppe Marino, Susan Poole, Corey Milner (and his team of Paul Pratt, Sally Theobald & Jack Martyn), Ray & Helen Orr, Chris Van Unen, John Reisinger, Maggie May, Krissi Creighton and Bjorn Luxman.
We must also thank the Traralgon West Scouts, Neighbourhood Watch (Cindy Shanahan & her team), and Morwell Rotary (David McInnes & crew).
I want to acknowledge and thank all those who helped out, even in some small way, either prior to the day or on it, and even just signing up, running and being there on the day. Humble apologies if you did help and you’re not listed above.
Most members of the committee were involved in some way, and helped to make the Harriers jewel in the crown event another incredibly successful day. This is one of the reasons the club is in such a great position; because members take some ownership, are selfless, and don’t just leaving it all to a few people.
We also need to acknowledge The Gippsland Plains Rail Trail committee, De Grandi’s Winery (Matt & Danielle and staff), Athlete’s Foot Traralgon, Aussie Broadband, WINTV, Gold 1242, Manny’s Market Traralgon, the LV Express, Aygee Traralgon and Schweppes, Latrobe City, MDR Digital Images, 51 Coffee, Rachal Mustoe and Matthew Phillips for the First Aid, and DJ Glenn Lever for helping to make the day a success.
To be a distance runner, you have to be tough and fit. Not just physically, but mentally. I have nothing but admiration for those who are dedicated to train and focus on running a Half or a Full, but people run for all sorts of different reasons, and we need to remember that for many, a 10k run is their marathon and also a huge achievement.
Congratulations to every member who ran and made a wonderful memory and hopefully achieved their individual goal.
The official results https://my.raceresult.com/230933/results
Official photos https://www.mdrdigitalimages.com.au/traralgonmarathon2023
It’s time to start thinking about and planning the 57th 2024 version of the event, and we need someone to step up and take the healm as Race Director. I was happy to step up and fill the role this tear to make sure it went ahead for the club, but the event needs someone new to take it forward for the next couple of years. If you want to be rewarded by leading a magnificent team and running an iconic event, the role of RD is certainly fulfilling, looks good on your CV and you’ll be appreciated by the community and the club. Have a chat to me if you’re interested. You’ll be supported to ensure it’s an enjoyable experience.
