Sprinting With The Sunrise At The Cape Hillsborough Club Championship

More than forty runners and supporters enjoyed the beautiful Cape Hillsborough conditions by tackling the Mackay Road Runners annual Club Championship 5km and 9km.   

Runners enjoyed the early race start overlooking the glorious eastern coastal sunrise and well-populated beach just as much as the skippies. Several local and interstate casual day runners joined up with the Club’s existing members, revelling in a great Sunday morning as they challenged the Hidden Valley course which included scenic beach vistas, tricky rainforest trails and slippery unsealed roads.   
 
Paul Mackenzie continued his sensational form by taking major club championship points, placing first overall in the 9km club championship ahead of Mick Vivian. 

John Searston, who was a member of Mackay Road Running for over 25 years in the past, displayed great stamina in third place, sprinting to cross the finish line just mere seconds behind Mick. John Rae accrued the final open club championship points ahead of Alex Couldrey, Tim Dalton, Jim Ogilvie and Robin Stinson.   

First female Jose Short was 9th overall, scoring maximum club championship open points ahead of Teresa Hackney and Lisa Burns.  Excellent running was seen by Glynis Forse and Kaylene Gardner who were just outside the podium finishers.
 
John Couldrey made light work of the 5km event, as did Andrew Short and Natasha Joynson, where it could be assumed that John’s amazing turn of speed at the finish line was due to the fragrant BBQ wafting through the air.  
 
There will be no Mackay Road Runners event this Sunday, however, there is an amazing selection of trail running courses this weekend set by ActiV8 Adventures that the Club highly recommends.   

The 5km, 11km, and 18km options are open to everyone, visit ActiV8 Adventures online to register your interest for a great morning of trail running commencing from 8am at Eungella. 
 
The next Club Championship race on the calendar will be hosted by Mackay Road Runners on Sunday 14th July, commencing from 7am at Netherdale.

The Signature event M-Test Eungella King and Queen of the Mountain, and Podiatry Mackay/Laura Pettifer Inspirational Trophy Junior King and Queen of the Mountain is a very successful event shared with the Mackay Cycling Club for their Torque Tyres and Trailer Spares King and Queen of the Mountain cycle event held in conjunction.  

Watch this space for further updates or visit mackayroadrunners.com online for more info.

Contributed By Janelle Tilse

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Perfect running conditions at the start of the Cape Hillsborough Club Championship’s beautiful beach for the three front runners (left to right) – John Searston, Paul MacKenzie and Alex Couldrey
Geeta Ariani (#118) leads a contingent of female runners along the beach section of the Cape Hillsborough 9km Club Championship event
Leon Sant, Shruti Dhl, Geeta Ariani, Kaylene Gardner enjoy the Mackay Road Runners Cape Hillsborough Club Championship event
Greg Dawes, Martin Lambert and Jim Ogilvie take a well earning break after the 9km Cape Hillsborough Club Championship race
Couse Cyclist Tim Magoffin struggles to keep pace with the Club’s legendary course marker, trailer keeper volunteer Andrew Short. Photo credit: Janelle Tilse

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