Fellrunning as a sport is, I think, pretty self selecting. It's like a lot of things; you either get it, or you don't. I agree there do seem to be a great deal of Xtreme/Ultra/Mega/Muddy/Tough etc events popping up but who know how long it'll last? Considering how sports like football, rugby, cycling and athletics have changed in the last 100 years it seems to me that the changes in fell running have been at a relatively glacial pace.
In terms of environmental damage then 500 people running a race will do the same amount of damage whether it costs £1 or £100 to enter I suppose. Anecdotally, the only time I have seen marshals use a 4x4 to get to a checkpoint was in an ultra-type event to dish out water etc. Perhaps a bit more thought and emphasis on self-sufficient amongst the competitors would help to reduce the collateral damage caused by the support needed on some of the longer races out there.
As I perceive it, most fell race organisers are merely looking to cover their costs and are usually aware of constraints put upon them by environmental issues and land owners' concerns. Hence why the entry list at most fell races in the FRA Calendar is capped.
In a commercial event, a commercial entity is looking to turn a profit, or an individual is looking to generate an income; the more punters that can be crammed on to the start line, the larger the financial rewards will be.
This is further compounded by the fact that to most punters, the more people on the start line then the more 'worthy' the event must be. That's something that I just can't get my head round - The London marathon or a low key fell race? The latter every time.
Or maybe I'm just being very cynical?
I was a bit of an oddball until I was abducted by aliens; but I'm perfectly OK now!
I’ve done both and the ultra’s I have done in the lakes have both been capped and well managed in terms of start venues, car parking etc. Both I imaging brought a lot of income to local economies in the lakes with people staying over eating etc
If you do Langdale Fell Race or Three Shires both are down tiny narrow country lanes and all that associated impact on traffic delays etc . Neither times did I do anything beneficial to local economy as I went there and back in a day. Only thing I did was pollute the atmosphere and add to road congestion.
I enjoyed all events thoroughly.
The increase in numbers "SHOULD" be a good thing Not for the extra congestion in sensitive areas ,not for reducing traffic pollution,plenty of parks in urban areas for people to run Iain,I have no objections to anybody using the countryside...not sure why you feel the need to push onto people...lots of damage to the environment is down to overuse...What does it say in the FRA statement about protecting the environment....thought the policy was to discourage
Unfortunately the world we live in is entirely dominated by by Capitalism ...Money is the only consideration for All big / corporations .A Free adventure park has just been demolished in London and replaced with a go ape job...which is fine for the wealthy...the "poor" kids just cannot afford it...if we are not careful Fell running will go the same way .
Next year marks the 120th anniversary of the Winterhill Mass Trespass,wonder what they would make of these "access" problems..
Best wishes to the FRA acess/environment officer ..that is a tough job ..
No, fell running will not go the same way because fell running is free, I think it will always be free.
Fell racing costs money, but if you feel you have to race to be happy or prove something to yourself, then you will have to pay someone to "organise you". For us who are perfectly happy running over the same ground - but without 100+ other runners surrounding us - our preferred exercise and pastime is free.
I have no complaints.
Don't roll with a pig in poo. You get covered in poo and the pig likes it.
Nothings free ,it all involves cost both monetary and environmentally the damage we do as runners is real ..when you wash yer kit the energy used has an impact ..New shoes involve paying tax ....lets hope the gradual erosion of our freedom to enjoy the fells in our special way is not diminished further ...like the Winterhill races have been lost ...
There's an unsettling feeling of deja vu with some of this jibber jabber .....