This week marks the start of the club’s Winter Season. Please check this newsletter for the schedule, duty roster and course markers. Also, don’t forget, everyone must wear their Harriers “Power Rangers” reflective vests.
All financial members are issued with a vest, and guests are given a loan prior to running. It is a club rule that all runners wear an approved vest, first and foremost, for safety. We also encourage members to wear light coloured clothing, a headlamp or other light, and to run on footpaths where possible, or stick to the right-hand side of the road (gutter) to face oncoming traffic. Please adhere to club safety protocols, and abide by road rules, especially giving way to traffic at intersections.
Be aware, if the club receives too many complaints (via Latrobe City), winter town runs could be shut down. All members are representatives of the club, so please show respect and courtesy, and remember appreciation for us being allowed to run in town without heavy scrutiny and permitting.
We’ve installed a few new runs this season, and some of the older (now unsafe) courses have been retired. Committee is always open to suggestions for new runs, which pass a safety audit (lighting, few road crossings, safe gathering point, parking, etc.).
Our annual membership is now open and due, so I encourage all members to renew their membership, and anyone who is considering joining, now is the time.
There is a long list of benefits for becoming a member. Members receive a club reflective vest (worth $70), monthly club dinners (drink tix), 48 Thursday runs, discounts on major club events (CFR & Mara), free entry to most other club weekend events, a fantastic club culture, training opportunities, discounts on club merchandise, mid-year presentation night, a legendary Xmas Bash (including a quality Xmas running top), and great friendships.
Most members will be “Recreational Members”, unless running the AV season. There are also categories for Recreational Life Members, Recreational Associate (by club approval only), Junior memberships and various AV options. I encourage everyone to renew their membership promptly, so we’re not chasing.
If you’re new to the club, go to the club website and click the “Become a Member” button on the top right of the homepage.
I challenge anyone to find a better value annual club membership!
Our track night at Newborough last Thursday was well-attended, but numbers were down a touch on our regular Thursday runs. Is it because of the travel, or perhaps due to some members not liking running on the track? Going forward, we’ll explore some other options and test a few suggestions, which might boost track attendance.
Those that did make their way to the track, enjoyed the speedy synthetic surface, and some seriously fast times, PBs, and over-coming of first-time track nerves. A huge thank you to VP Andrew Legge for organising, and to all those who volunteered on the night. Special thanks to all runners not only for showing up, but also for the encouragement shown to all.
It was another wonderful Harriers showing at Run for the Kids on Sunday. There were lots of Big T singlets on course, and I lost count of how many people called out in support of the club and Traralgon. It always amazes me how many people I run into in a crowd of thousands, and that is all because of our club, our involvement in the running community, and the amazing friendships and connections we make. Yet another reason to become a Harrier.
The next event which I’m sure will see a huge contingent of Harriers, is this weekend’s Tarra Bulga run. Our friends at Run Tarra Bulga have put the call out for some more volunteer support. They have a few spots that need to be filled. Anyone putting up their hand will get a free pizza from Wheelie Good Pizza. Click the link if you can help https://ue.ivolunteer.com/rtb_025#
We had a great meeting recently of the CFR 2025 team, to discuss the event while things were still fresh. Again, thanks and congratulations to RDs Trent & Clinton, and all those who contributed to making the day such a success. We’ll have a final figure of how much we’ll be donating to Rotary Centenary House after our next committee meeting on the 1st of May.
The next weekend club event is the Springwood Trophy at Crinigan Road Morwell, on the 27th of April. Thanks to event RD Miles Verschuur for his ongoing enthusiasm for this run. See flyer in this week's newsletter.
The club’s AV Team is getting excited for the upcoming season, and is looking for members to join. The club has been well-represented over the last few years, and involvement will take your running to another level. Please speak to Miles or Ron Verschuur, or Corey Milner about the Team and registration options. The season schedule is also in this NL.
The club’s AGM is fast approaching, and a new committee will be elected to take the club forward in July. This will be my last term as President, and Andrew Legge will also be stepping down as VP. It’s time for some new energy to lead the club forward, but I am exceptionally proud of the work we’ve done to lay solid foundations and processes to progress the club, and in particular, make it a more inclusive, progressive, and welcoming organisation. Now is the time to start thinking about stepping up and onto committee.
Our recent Committee Meeting was productive and positive. We are exceptionally fortunate to have so many committed and talented people on committee, with a diverse array of skill sets. I believe the last few years have seen a genuine strengthening of the club, in large part due to the input of wonderful people, who have a desire to make the club the best it can be.
With the end of daylight saving, Traralgon Tuesday Running Group is also transitioning from the track to the road. All are welcome to join this training group, which is essentially a speed session, an important part of any runner’s training program. It runs Tuesdays from 6pm, meeting at the soccer grounds (table tennis club / Little Athletics track) on Davidson Street. More info in this week's newsletter. TTRG’s motto is “Fitness, Friendship & Fun” and there is no cost to join.
Our Winter Season run calendar is included in this NL, and we’ve nearly got a full season of course markers. There’s only the St Paul's run left. Remember, if you’re a course marker, that serves as your season duty, so you’ll also get to run each week. Those on duty still score points towards season championships.
Check the Winter Season Duty Roster in this NL and make note of your allocated date.
Volunteering for events, to Race Direct, to do some of the myriad of jobs required to make the club run smoothly, is very rewarding. If you’re wanting to get more involved, have a chat to a committee member. On that note, thanks to Tobi Grzmil and Danelle Wright for putting their hands up to RD our Boolarra run. A date will be set soon.
IMPORTANT Harriers Dates
27 April Springwood Trophy at Crinigan Rd (RD Miles Verschuur)
1 May Committee Meeting
1 June 58th Harriers Traralgon Marathon (New start location - RD Desley Gray)
14 June Midyear Presentation at Del Mondo
17 July Club AGM Clubrooms
Date TBC Martin Thompson Boolarra Run (RD Tobi Grzmil & Danelle Wright)
Date TBC Memorial Run (New location announcement soon) (RD PM)
Thought for the fortnight: One small positive thought can change your whole day!
Duty Roster Winter 2025
REMEMBER: If you can’t fulfil your allocated duty, the onus is on you to swap with someone.
APRIL
10 Kylee Earl & Cat Leonard
17 Shane Gavin & Ian Cornthwaite
24 Krissi Creighton & Sav Mavrofridis
MAY
1 Chesney Podmore & Helen Whitby
8 Adrian Sutcliffe & Peter Sanders
15 Greg Semmler & Yani Cornthwaite
22 Kathy Quinn & Michelle Colwell
29 Daryl Cross & Des Dalton
JUNE
5 Gary Fox & Karen Graham
12 Ree Graham & David Hood
19 Collette Hofmann & Liz Kenney
26 Angelo Gaudiano & Kathleen Kent
JULY
3 Dave Mann & Owen Notting
10 Sam Riddle & Paul Smith
17 Shane Wilson & Tania Whitehead
24 Kim Imperial & Mandy Ellis
31 Rebecca Anderson & Rickie Glover
