Volunteers, Valiant Runners And Victories

Paul MacKenzie was the highest handicapped runner on the park at the Eimeo Pacific Hotel event with a huge thirty-six minutes and 10 second wait for his start time. Despite the congenially frustrating wait, Paul bolted from the gates, eager to make his mark on the testing undulating course after reeling in half the competitors. Paul’s excellent condition will serve him well in a major upcoming international endurance event at the end of August.
 
Mackay Road Runners Club President, Brendan Bishop was impressed with the weekly jokes being submitted to motivate runners at the pre-race briefing. Brendan’s debrief of the 5km and 14km was very detailed due to the many twists and turns on the very technically marked course taking runners through the Eimeo, Blacks Beach and Dolphin Heads suburbs.
 
First in the 5km event based on each member’s official club handicap was Carolyn Mapes, with Alan Zamparutti and Jo Hughes closing in fast.  New casual day runner, Caitlin Burns held a great pace for the first 5km. Jim Ogilvie had a great outing in the 14km, scorching home first on handicap ahead of Shane Donnollan, Tim Caddy, Werner VanderLinde and first female Mel Esau. Excellent performances across both courses were seen from Len Haworth, Stuart Sprott, Jan Smith, Jose Short, Carmel Mahon, Andrew Short, Rhian Massey, Glynis Forse, Heli Talinurm and Robin Stinson.
 
Junior running sensation, Toby Rule drew on his excellent stamina and focus to back up at the Eimeo event after a heavy schedule of out-of-town racing competitions.  Toby’s excellent placing in the recent Athletics Australia Cross Country Championships held at Victoria Park Golf Club has earned him a well-deserved spot in the Queensland Team to travel to Launceston, Tasmania in four weeks for the National Titles. Toby’s strong resilience and tenacity saw him finish 7th after sitting in 16th position with one lap to go in the 6km event, gaining automatic selection in the Qld Team.
  
The Mackay Road Runners is not having an event this weekend, however, check out the excellent running events happening in the region.  Visit the ActiV8 Adventures trail running calendar for your Mackay Road Runners Member discounted entry to the event or donate and sign up for a 5km or 10km for the CQ Rescue Fun Run this Sunday morning from Iluka Park, East Mackay. It’s a great cause, very worthy of community support to keep them in the air.
 
Congratulations to the new parkrun group who held its first 5km parkrun at Bucasia last weekend. Great to see big numbers there as well as at the Botanic Gardens, West Mackay parkrun… amazing to see so many people up and about and moving, no matter how you do it!

Contributed By Janelle Tilse

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Carolyn Mapes, Alan Zamparutti and Carmel Mahon in serious warmup mode before their handicap start callup
First female runner via handicap start in the 14km, Mel Esau easily completes the hilly, technical course
(left to right) Rhian Massey, Glynis Forse and Jose Short enjoy a catchup after completing the 14km undulating course
Toby Rule easily completes the 5km after a heavy racing schedule, which secured him a spot at the Nationals in Tasmania next month. Photos supplied

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