Changes to North Curtin Handicap Course
Today:
1st run: Distance: 6.3 km - Time: 44' 43" - Rate: 7' 06" per km
2nd run: Distance: 6.7 km - Time: 34' 59" - Rate: 5' 13" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 15 degrees, humidity 85%, wind calm
Week: 66.3 km
December: 303.5 km
Year: 4321.75 km
The handicap sub committee, some of us, met this morning near North Curtin to decide whether to make any changes to the February handicap course. The main problem is that we do not get exclusive use of the bike path, and with the weather usually producing nice mornings, there are plenty of other people out enjoying the day. The way our events are run on a handicap basis, a truly run race would have everyone going over the finish line together. A bunching of all the runners in each of our three events does create problems on narrow bike paths when other users are around.
Cyclists at speed, or a mother out pushing a pram or just a few out for a walk, all have the right to use open space. We have a duty of care to ensure our participants are not subject to being knocked over and injured by others also using the area. We are now hoping to get through next year without incident.
In trying to find a suitable change off the sealed paths, we looked at some off road dirt paths, but nothing flat was available. The short term decision is to leave all courses as before, and look to replace the entire location with something else in the future after next February.
The first run above was the up the hill behind the houses where the long course goes, turn around and down near the horse paddocks to the Cotter Road and back to the start. Light drizzle fell at the end of this run as we discussed and made a decision.
The second run was almost the same course as we currently use for the main long course event, up the hill, then down to the south oval and on to the bike path near the drain. Back to the start.
Any suggestions on suitable places to conduct our monthly handicaps, or to volunteer to join the sub committee would be appreciated. A runner, preferably female from one of the shorter events, would contribute a different point of view to some of us who like longer hilly courses. We meet once a month on the Wednesday night after the monthly handicap.
1st run: Distance: 6.3 km - Time: 44' 43" - Rate: 7' 06" per km
2nd run: Distance: 6.7 km - Time: 34' 59" - Rate: 5' 13" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 15 degrees, humidity 85%, wind calm
Week: 66.3 km
December: 303.5 km
Year: 4321.75 km
The handicap sub committee, some of us, met this morning near North Curtin to decide whether to make any changes to the February handicap course. The main problem is that we do not get exclusive use of the bike path, and with the weather usually producing nice mornings, there are plenty of other people out enjoying the day. The way our events are run on a handicap basis, a truly run race would have everyone going over the finish line together. A bunching of all the runners in each of our three events does create problems on narrow bike paths when other users are around.
Cyclists at speed, or a mother out pushing a pram or just a few out for a walk, all have the right to use open space. We have a duty of care to ensure our participants are not subject to being knocked over and injured by others also using the area. We are now hoping to get through next year without incident.
In trying to find a suitable change off the sealed paths, we looked at some off road dirt paths, but nothing flat was available. The short term decision is to leave all courses as before, and look to replace the entire location with something else in the future after next February.
The first run above was the up the hill behind the houses where the long course goes, turn around and down near the horse paddocks to the Cotter Road and back to the start. Light drizzle fell at the end of this run as we discussed and made a decision.
The second run was almost the same course as we currently use for the main long course event, up the hill, then down to the south oval and on to the bike path near the drain. Back to the start.
Any suggestions on suitable places to conduct our monthly handicaps, or to volunteer to join the sub committee would be appreciated. A runner, preferably female from one of the shorter events, would contribute a different point of view to some of us who like longer hilly courses. We meet once a month on the Wednesday night after the monthly handicap.
posted by Two Fruits at
1:02 PM
3 Comments:
The suggestions from our member survey a few months ago for new venues were: Goorooyarro (4), Gordon/Pine Island car park walks, corridor or horse trail for runs (3), Isaacs Forest (2) or Farrer (1), the new Mt Stromlo facility (2), another course/s at Deeks Drive (1), Black Mountain Caswell Drive when road works finish (1), return to West Stromlo (1), the Pinnacle a loop course (but not the cross country course) (1), a run from the Boathouse (1), two laps Yerrabi Pond Gungahlin (1). Cooleman Ridge (1), Lake Burley Griffin (1) (I don't suppose they meant a swim). I would champion Stromlo for road, cross country, or grass. You might have to check for incompatible bookings; there would REALLY be cyclist issues were we to be sharing the road course there! But Stromlo is a brilliant venue. I would be surprised if our cross country championships, in conjuction with Athletics ACT, were not held there from next year on. So one other visit for a handicap each year would do.
By
speedygeoff, At
December 19, 2007 at 2:40 PM
We have taken notice of the suggestions made in the survey. Goorooyarro is penciled in for next year subject to inspection, West Stromlo we would like to get back to, Isaacs and Farrer parking and start/finish a problem,we need flat courses not hilly,as Pinnacle, Cooleman, parking & start finish a problem for upwards of 230-250 people, laps courses are not popular,the new Stromlo will only be suitable in winter for many years but is a great venue, no exclusive use for us runners, bikes & any national event has precedence. Find us a location and we will certainly check it out.
By
Two Fruits, At
December 20, 2007 at 12:18 AM
It doesn't worry me too much where the handicaps are as I'm not that regular, and like running slowly anyway.
Regarding Stromlo... One way to avoid laps of the grass course would be to have cones down the middle and do an out/back/out course for 7.5k. That is, run one way 2.5k, turn at a cone and run the other way, turn and back again. Short course could be 2.5k (one lap) in one direction.
By
Ewen, At
December 22, 2007 at 12:14 PM
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