Port Macquarie Pacers Running Club

Whilst many of us were just trying to run through the heat and humidity some of us were playing starring roles. Foundation member Ryan was back in Oz and had one chance to have a go at parkrun and despite the largest ever parkrun crowd jamming the Breakwall he was able to set the fastest time ever at PMQ parkrun while claiming his 101^st first placing. Unbelievable given the circumstances. One of our newer members, Alex broke her parkrun PB time 4 times over the month. What incredible consistency. Laura E and Bronny O set new mile times that were both in the Top 10 fastest Pacers in history.

These running highlights occurred around other big social happenings. Kerry and James announced their engagement which is such good news while we were saying Goodbye to Haley as she moves OS for the next chapter in her families’ lives. Sad and exciting news for us all.

Next up will be Tarawera for the ultra runners. Best wishes to you all; and Hales; and James and Kerry.

With the heat of summer, activities tend to quieten on the running front but despite this there were some outstanding running in December. Starting with Pip C’s brilliant run at PMQ parkrun that put the Pacer record under enormous pressure (finishing just a few seconds behind Carly’s best). Then Adam M ran a scorching 10k at the Super Series to move into 5th fastest ever Pacer over the distance. This was followed by the latest amazing junior Johnny D running so quickly at parkrun in successive weeks. All the while a whole bunch of PBs were recorded over the month.

Thanks everyone for a brilliant year and let’s make 26 equally healthy, successful and enjoyable.

November started with a terrific run by Vicki at the NY Marathon, continued on the big stages with Fi’s brilliant run at the Queenstown Marathon and then ended with BJ and Steve achieving amazing results at UTMB Kosciusko on the last weekend of the month. While they were hitting the trails Pip (fastest Pacer in Club History over 10ks) and Kylie J (joining the top 10 over 21k) were running sensationally at the Pacer Super Series event. All the while so many runners were smashing PBs at PMQ parkrun (especially among our Junior members). Special mentions to Kye, Mason, Michelle L and Jaydon for running multiple PBs in November.

To top this all off Trish collected her last letter in the parkrun alphabet and Binnie worked out how much fun was to be had extending runners beyond their imaginary limits at interval training.

RunHaven dominates Pacer activities in October 2025. A new date, new weather, a huge crowd but the same well oiled machine delivering a brilliant Running Festival. Huge thanks to organisers Jon, Madz and Christie who were so professional in everything they did, huge thanks to all the volunteers (special mentions to Dave and Christine who worked all day Saturday in a variety of different roles, Haley who is an MC extraordinaire and to Lloydy and his team at Sportive Media for their photos ).

Christine has also restarted the Pacer Juniors Training Group on a Wednesday afternoon which had been in hiatus for a few months. Thanks to all who help Christine make this a fun filled and enjoyable experience for all involved.

The October Super Series saw the inaugural Pacer Junior Mile added to the morning which was very positively received with some great running.

Lots of celebrations this month with a 50th and a 70th, a whole slew of 100 parkruns and the Juniors restarting.

September saw many marvelous happenings within the club. Our presentation night saw our first life memberships awarded, Coffs Running Festival saw a slew of top results, we saw brilliant efforts at the Berlin Marathon and Sydney Half Marathon, three outright winners at Beach to Brother as well as a fastest ever and 3rd fastest ever runs at our Super Series meet. What a month!

Jon and Cat were awarded life memberships for their work over the past 8 years as club president, executive committee member, coaches, RunHaven organiser etc. The list goes on. We are forever indebted to both for their tireless efforts. The other winners I would like to highlight were Rach and Lee winning the most improved awards which are peer chosen and so richly deserved.

At our monthly Super Series meeting Carly and Pip ran amazing times to reach the fastest and 3rd fastest times ever by Pacers. Added to an amazing list of Personal Records it was a very successful morning for the runners involved.

Pacers were very successful at other events also. Vic’s Age Group win in Sydney; BJ’s 3rd overall and AG win along with other Age Group winners Shirley, Rach, Russell and Gary at Coffs Harbour; Carly, Kylie and Hunter winning at Beach To Brother; Paul Gags 5th overall and AG win at Lake Mac; Timo and Jackson running PBs at Berlin. The list goes on …

Meanwhile Pacers were out and about just enjoying the weather and doing what many enjoy most.

A massive group turned out to celebrate 8 years and compete in the 5/10 Super Series. Stand out performance all through the ranks make it difficult to single any runner out.

A smaller than usual group represented the club at the Forster RunFest but that did not stop the club members from running brilliantly. Congratulations everyone involved.

Our juniors were very active in the PMQ parkrun with numerous Personal Bests. Special mention to Timo and his extended family with 4 different members running PBs covering 3 generations.

Finally we must celebrate the success of Ryan in gaining selection to represent Australia at the cross-country championships held in Aotearoa New Zealand. Fantastic result for a fantastic young man and great role model.

July began with the Gold Coast Marathon weekend. Pacers had a very successful couple of days with three Age Group wins (one a race record), three other AG Top 10 finishes, one Fastest ever club record, eleven Club Top 10 Records and sixteen Personal Records. Balanced out with Hugh’s unbelievable misfortune where his expensive speed shoes fell apart when he was well on his way to a brilliant marathon time at the half way mark.

Ryan then went on to top Port parkrun for the 100^th time and added to his Pacer half marathon record it has been a very impressive visit home from his OS running and studying.

We continue to prepare for Forster, Sydney, Coffs, City 2 Surf etc and eventually RunHaven (toward which the Pacer sub-committee are in full preparation and asking for vollies. A huge thanks to Mads, Christie and Jon for their tireless work). The Pacer top parkrun comp is underway with freebie entries to RunHaven so throw on a Pacer/RunHaven top and get to parkrun and see if you too can be an early winner.

June started with Pacers enjoying an outstanding SWR RunFest. This year Lizzie and Wilton won outright. We had 5 other podium finishes, 4 Age Group wins out of 8 Age Group podiums and 9 Personal Records to round off a very successful weekend. The next weekend Vicki and Russ added age group wins at the Central Coast.

Carly then equaled her own club record in the Super Series event while 10 others ran PRs. Added to these impressive performances we had a number of PMQ parkrun personal records and the Ashtons mother and daughter team running the Coffs Backyard Ultra which they have reported was a fantastic event. A reminder that entries have already opened for next year’s event.

May seemed to come and go in a bucket of rain but it didn’t prevent Pacers from getting out and about whilst doing amazing things. The mob who travelled to the Blue Mountains for the UTMB races are all heroes to me. On a less than ideal weekend their efforts were inspirational.

On the speedy side of life Adam M, Hugh and Rob Fish ran brilliantly in their big city races with huge numbers of entrants. They ended up with new entries in the Pacers Records for the Half and 10k. Added to this their were 7 new times emanating from Pacer competitions this month as well. Fi, Bec, Laura C and Xander ran fast halves, Fi and Bec ran fast miles and Bronny ran a fast 10 to set new standards on our record lists.

Meanwhile so many Pacers  set new PBs at PMQ parkrun with a large contingent of Juniors leading the way. Special mentions for the Gott sisters, the Currie siblings as well as the father/son combo of Jannis and Janosch for all keeping it in the family. Annabelle A and Phil M managed 2 PBs each over May as well.  Congratulations to all.

My highlight for April has to be the Newcastle marathon efforts from the ladies contingent. Five runners and five in the top 12 outright. Fantastic efforts. Added to this the two men going so well in the half marathon made it a very successful day for all. Vicki also ran exceptionally in the heat and humidity of the Hawaiin half marathon to win her age group.

Port Pacers Born To Run was released by The Salty Folk. You can catch it here https://youtu.be/W1-3yY4JkqA