Could you run pub to pub?

Retired competitive cyclist Mitch Docker is introducing the Pub to Pub to Lancefield and Romsey. He is pictured with local publican Alex Gorman.

When Mitch Docker retired from competitive road cycling, his love for the sport and outdoor recreation never left him.


After moving to Lancefield and discovering all that the Macedon Ranges had to offer, he was determined to help position it as a “premium outdoor lifestyle and cycling destination”.


“I want to show people how good the Macedon Ranges is for riding and exercising in general. It’s so underestimated,” he told the Express.


“The great thing I’ve always loved about exercising my whole life is that feeling that comes with it. And it’s something everyone can be involved in. I really wanted to make an event that incorporated the things I enjoy and make it something unique for the area.”


Mitch was a former professional cyclist who raced at the top European level of the sport in the World Tour from 2009 until
2021.


During his career, he was a respected one-day and classics rider, and a highly regarded teammate on some of the sport’s
biggest teams including Skil-Shimano, Orica-GreenEDGE and EFEducation First Pro Team.

He was living in Europe for 15 years between Spain and Belgium before retiring from racing and returning to Australia. He hosts a podcast, Life on the Peloton.


Since moving to Lancefield, he has already connected with many fellow local cyclists and runners keen to see more opportunities for associated local events.


Mitch helped get the Lanny Run Club off the ground in Lancefield earlier this year and explored ideas for something more.

TWO NEW EVENTS


He developed a plan for a multi-day combined cycling and running event with a festival atmosphere for October 12-13 dubbed The Dirty Docker.


Participants can camp at Lancefield Park, enjoy entertainment and socialising as well as 115km, 80km and 40km gravel cycling events, and Cyclo-Cross event with off-road course over grass, mud, sand and obstacles.


Soon after, Pub to Pub was born from a conversation with local publican Alex Gorman who was interested in a community event that incorporated both 1860 Romsey and The Lancefield Hotel.

First on the calendar, Pub to Pub has a strong focus on community level participation with three runs planned between the two pubs incorporating the Federation Trail.


Runs are a 1.5km Junior Bolt for those aged two to 14 years, a 7.5km Pub to Pub run, and The Pub to Pub to Pub 15km run.


The Romsey to Lancefield Pub to Pub event will be held on Sunday, September 15, starting from 8am.


Full details on both events, and how to register, are available via: lifeinthepeloton.com