Track honours athletics mentor

Published on 13 November 2019

A jogging track dedicated to one of Hobart’s most-loved athletics identities has been officially opened today.

Max’s Infinity Loop is a 2.2km multi-use loop track established at the Queens Domain as a purpose-built facility for runners, walkers and cyclists.

The track is named after Hobart athletics and fitness coach Max Cherry OAM, who coached many local athletes to national and international level competition.

“Max Cherry is well known and respected within the Tasmanian athletics community,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said. “He helped many Hobart athletes achieve their sporting goals over the course of his coaching career, which spanned five decades.

Mr Cherry received an OAM in June 2007 but sadly died less than a year later.

Members of Mr Cherry’s family attended today’s official opening of the track established in Mr Cherry’s name.

“This will be a very special event for Mr Cherry’s family and the local athletics community,” Cr Reynolds said. “It’s fitting that the track – which we understand is the first of its kind in Australia – be named in his honour.”

Parks and Recreation Committee Chair Alderman Jeff Briscoe said the track was included in the master plan for the Queens Domain.

“This track has been a long time coming and it’s great to see it officially open for community use,” he said.

A natural soft-fall track was created by removing half of the existing bitumen road width and replacing it with wood chip mulch.

“It was important to get precisely the right mulch for the conditions, providing enough stability and grip for joggers while remaining soft and flexible,” Ald Briscoe said.

“The mulch surface provides joggers and people who have problems with their joints access to a softer surface. But others who prefer the harder bitumen surface – such as faster road runners, walkers, parents with prams, people with wheelchairs and cyclists – have the option to use the road surface.

“It’s not just for serious runners – everyone is welcome. The track is wide enough for everyone to share, making it a genuine multi-purpose loop track and it’s already proving popular with users.”