Help with fell running stats a

[Graham Breeze]

I can see it now: a spring wedding up the Dale; perhaps at Barden Tower, or at Burnsall, followed by a reception at the Devonshire Arms. You looking resplendent in Ivory lace and dear old Graham in finest navy worsted, maybe with a pink shirt and a silk tie knotted just so. Dancing late into the night to his beloved rock 'n' roll records...

Okay, left to Graham he'd probably be in M&S mid-grey machine washable wool /polyester mix and the reception at Bizzie Lizze's but we can dream, can't we :closed:

There are times when I feel some people don't really understand me.

XX

[Rudolph Hooker]

others who lacked hand eye coordination came into it from climbing..

Where's Swoop when you need him?
I assume, Iain, these undoordinated climbers ... fell (?) into the sport!!!!

[manothemoors]

There are times when I feel some people don't really understand me.

XX

Well, thanks to your helpful and very polite (if slightly indignant) email, I understand you much better now, Graham.

IainR, good point about people running for fitness....I'm one of them, I suppose...and unlikely to ever be very competitive.

The picture emerging is of a swimming pool with a few people in it saying "come on in, the water's lovely". More people have duly jumped in, but it's starting to become problematic. There are serious lane swimmers and those mucking about in the shallow end. More of those in the shallow end are aspiring to test themselves against those in lanes and there's a danger that if many more people jump in, there won't be room for anyone to swim, the water will get mucky and there'll be insufficient pegs for towels. Naturally, those trying to manage the lanes, already having to ration lane time, aren't keen on the promoting the pool as they're already getting grief from existing swimmers.
That's my extended metaphor for the day. The question is....will the pool eventually have to get bigger or will the doors have to shut?

It's difficult for sure.

[Dynamo Dan]

Let's hope no one drowns eh?

[ZootHornRollo]

I might be old-fashioned but I find publishing private correspondence on the internet a slightly aggressive and underhand tactic.
We going to start recording phone-calls next and whack those on the internet too, in case someone says something we don't agree with?

[Stagger]

Re the growth, for many of us running/fell running is a second sport, we ran to keep fit for ball sports, others who lacked hand eye coordination came into it from climbing.. Or hill walking.. Some progress through the junior ranks but I don't think encouraging the youth is instrumental for the future of the sport itself.. However I think it's hugely important to get kids into any sport so they can access the lifestyle and associated health benefits..

Good answer and a very fair assessment Iain.

I am struggling to understand what it is exactly that manothemoors is asking?

[Stagger]

In order to help with the stats bit here you go.

A 2011 fell series of races had:-

98 males competed
11 under 23 years old
26 were 23 to 40
23 were 40 to 45
18 were 45 to 50
20 were 50+

26 ladies competed
4 under 23
15 were 23 to 40
11 were 40+

Under 17
10 Boys & 7 Girls

Under 14
18 Boys & 15 Girls

Under 12
28 Boys & 19 Girls

Under 9
21 mixed

I am still unsure of what the figures are meant to conclude but I hope they help you in your quest for the answer.

[manothemoors]

Zoot...not sure what you mean. I haven't published the content of private correspondence. I wanted to reassure anyone, for the avoidance of doubt, that I had met with only helpful and polite responses.

Stagger....those figure s are really interesting. A good healthy spread. It certainly helps to build a picture of the racing community. Thank you, and thanks to everyone who has tried to help.

[manothemoors]

"However I think it's hugely important to get kids into any sport so they can access the lifestyle and associated health benefits.."

I wholeheartedly agree with this. My lad ran Burnsall this year...I hope he goes back for more, but I shan't push him. I don't think that the "lifestyle and associated health benefits" should be limited to the kids though.

[ZootHornRollo]

Zoot...not sure what you mean. I haven't published the content of private correspondence. I wanted to reassure anyone, for the avoidance of doubt, that I had met with only helpful and polite responses.

Sorry squire, got wrong end of the stick there - I need to read things a bit more carefully.