I would say 2.5-3 miles 900ft-1000ft ? aprxQuote:
Originally Posted by L.F.F.
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I would say 2.5-3 miles 900ft-1000ft ? aprxQuote:
Originally Posted by L.F.F.
Hi, thanks for that. That's great.Quote:
Originally Posted by scott baistow 93
Last Sunday's Birkrigg Common race... http://www.flickr.com/photos/wharfee...7625956255554/
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8...ggcommon15.jpg
anyone got any satnav friendly directions for fell end this sunday ????
or directions from preston area m6.............................:confused:
Great pics. I'll be polishing my trainers and combing my hair in case I make an appearance in a couple of weeks.Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
Hi Withnail,
I'm sorry you missed the start but I think it is deeply unfair to accuse anyone today of nepotism. We were set off early by the organisers, about 10 to 1, certainly not a half hour early. This happened because everyone was soaked and extremely cold on the start line. We were standing in the teeth of the gale in that bottom field. The senior race ran only the usual under 14 course, hence we had returned within about 15 minutes. I think we are lucky that Helm Hill did not cancel the race on the day. I agree it must be deeply frustrating to arrive on time and find the run has already set off, but I have great admiration for the organising team today. It was an appalling day to run races for young children and everyone who ran was stoic, determined and, most important, safe. They made absolutely the right decision to shorten all the courses and get people finished and back in their cars.
A 50 minute drive through the floods to a 15 minute race, almost missing the start, with no chance to even get into the proper kit was frustrating!
After being battered by the wind and rain my sympathies were with organisers, marshalls and anyone with wet sodden kids in the car waiting to go home though!!! - Nepotism never occured to me as a possible motivation for an early start in those conditions.
It was a short fix of racing in some extreme conditions. Lesson learnt, next time i'll turn up earlier and cheer on some juniors!
First of all, the race began at 12.50 not half an hour. I know this because I drove straight from work in appalling conditions from Hawkshead, and arrived at 12.45, noted the time and swiftly got changed. Once suited and booted, I opened the car door, screamed, shut the door and threw on my OMM jacket. Once more unto the breach, I jogged over to the start whilst slowly noticing the sudden dearth of runners and a few folk trotting over the ridge above me. BALLS! THEYVE STARTED!
Obviously at the time I wasn't 100% convinced starting early was fair, but once Id set off uphill and spent 20 minutes out of the car in the tempest I can hold my hands up,- apologise for any negative comments made to the organisers (born entirely of short-lived frustration = I'm sorry), and totally agree with their decision to get folk running. The weather was frankly shite. (How was The Noor wearing a vest and shorts!?).
Iv got no grudge on the organisers and marshalls starting 10 mins early. It was really really grim today. So I missed a half hour race, ho hum - that's life!
(How was The Noor wearing a vest and shorts!?).
I believe he'd shaved his legs for the occasion and enjoys parading around in tight fitting vests. That's what I heard anyway.
I went to register, only to find the bearded and somewhat elderly under-17s being counted through the start funnel were actually the seniors!Quote:
Originally Posted by helfa
I briefly contemplated running in what I stood in; waterproof bottoms & trousers, waterproof jacket, walking shoes, hooded sweater, gilet etc. but decided I'd be better off putting on some 'running gear' and sprinted back to the car.
I ran in vest and shorts because I didn't engage brain when I got changed...
Shaved legs, no; tight-fitting vest, yes.
I can fully sympathise with the organisers and support their decision. I have been in their position many times and I'm sure there was a lot of discussion and thought went into shortening the course and starting 10 minutes early. It was horrendous out there today and clearly the decision was made on grounds of safety.
I'd like to thank the organisers for allowing us to run. The conditions were appalling for both them and the runners and to alter the senior route to the U14s showed how bad it was. The U17s, who are fitter than many seniors, actually ran the U12s course. Seniors normally run straight after the U17s and most of us were at the start line and starting to get very cold.
I know that I would be upset if I missed a start but arriving 10 minutes beforehand and then having to register is cutting it very fine. Those of us with kids in our cars did have a problem and I know that some parents missed their race to get the kids home quickly.
What was worse was that in Sedbergh after the race it was a breezy but not unpleasant afternoon!
Spot on decision organisers, cheers for the race, more time for a beer afterwards, that's what Kendal WINTER league is all about, those poor buggers had to collect the flags as well, give 'em a break.
I think that the conditions were so bad that they left the flags for later!
Photos?:rolleyes:
Attachment 4508here you go wharfee,
A good decision by helmhill, although i do strongly believe that a lightweight kag should have been carried by everyone, the conditions on top were just above freezing going up you might as well been running up a river. It would of only needed to take someone to fall badly (which would have been extremely easy considering the wet limestone) the situation could have turned quite bad.
cheers TT...much more preferable than a fell race.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy Trailhound
Not much respect looking at those comments.Quote:
Originally Posted by Withnail
Nepotism? Do you know the meaning of the word? It means patronage bestowed or favoritism shown on the basis of family relationship, as in business and politics: eg...She was accused of nepotism when she made her nephew an officer of the firm.
I'm not sure how you can use that word in the context of the situation that Helm Hill Runners organisers found themselves in yesterday.
I think tha's med a bit of a dick o'thissen there Withnail.
No photos...don't blame you, i turned up with my camera but never left the car. Reckoned i'd be soaked to the skin in around 10mins so took the scenic route home through t' dales instead. Floods in Langsrothdale were over a foot deep.Quote:
Originally Posted by wharfeego
Forgive me if I'm wrong and I will destroy this message in embarrasment, like others should do, but I think the descision maker was not of the Helm camp in any case but a neighbouring, obliging running club. :w00t:
and what about those people who turned up without a cag - Scott?Quote:
Originally Posted by scott baistow 93
I would have simply run in my Paramo jacket which was my last resort, as it is to warm and heavy for running. but luckily some kind person offered me a light weight alternative :D Cheers Wycoller. And for the others who did not have anything they shouldnt have been allowed to race.Quote:
Originally Posted by wycoller
i think it was a good idea for the race to start early, if the people complaining had been on the start line waiting in that weater then they would definately agree with the decision :)
Has anyone got a post code for where the Fairmile race starts so I can use my Tom Tom by any chance?
I have a map, but experience tells me to use the Tom Tom...
Thanks.
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, got the map, but am pretty sure I'll struggle when I'm driving. Will set off early.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
Thanks for that. Will follow that advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
Cheers.
I'm sure they were extreme circumstances and for a 1:00pm race anyone who turns up at 12:50 is asking for trouble.
However, if the race is scheduled for 1:00pm, and it's peeing it down, I can quite easily see how someone would turn up at 12:00, register, go and sit in the car to keep warm and dry and leave at the very last minute to get to the start line.
I've got on the start line 5 minutes early plenty of times before now - once was the Accy 10K when it was torrential and windy and the start is quite a way from the parking.
Normal practise is not to start before the published start time - but to make the assessment at the allotted time whether to cancel, amend the course, continue as planned or delay and see if the conditions improve.
Those stood there getting wet through - well shouldn't they be better prepared?
as registration i can firmly say i was just leaving my car to run at 12.50 as one of the last people go through the funnel and the race started promptly after my arrivel arrivalQuote:
Originally Posted by TheGrump
Quote:
Originally Posted by L.F.F.
goo.gl/maps/Zyey this is a link to a google map with the locations of all the races and the ability to get directions.
That's a great page to put together. Thanks for that. I'm sure a lot of people will find it useful.Quote:
Originally Posted by smiler
Very handy! Thanks a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by smiler
Well I never, I always wondered where it ended up!Quote:
Originally Posted by smiler
Apparently, if you look just to the west of the M6 at the Fairmile location, there is the location of Apollo 8!
Mr brightside's photos from Fairmile today, overexposed as usual! I can recommend the Lifeventure lightweight trekking umbrella for days like today, it was about as tiring as holding up a biro.
Smashing looking course and plenty of on your arse moments coming into the gill. Descent of the day definitely goes to Wharfedale competitor No. 275, why take it steady when you can just hurl yourself down? I salute your style sir.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/...d7428eab96.jpg
Download any images you like, no need to ask.
If I knew that was you taking the photos I would have said hello.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
Thanks for the pics. Glad I appeared on one.
Really great race. Lovely weather as well:)
Maybe it's just me, but I'm sure I counted about 20 false summits on the ascent! Did me the world of good mentally!
I was looking out for anyone i knew but it's hard to recognise people when they're sliding down a gill on their arse soaked to the skin! The only person i recognised was runner 429, i've no idea who he is but we've spoken randomly in the past. Just looked back through the photos Ali and i still can't find you, obviously not a good hair day for any of the field!Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill
Ha ha. I was wearing a hat. Second Helm runner. Hope you are back running soon.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
I'm just building distance up now, hopefully i'll be doing Arant Haw in april. My knee's not better although it's slightly less troublesome. I'm back with the NHS again now, they've got me with the physios but i think the end of the road, ultimately, will be a steroid injection.Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry H Howgill
Mr B, didnt realise you were there. Sadly I was not running this week but it would have been good to meet you. Did you chat briefly to Tim at the end re collecting flags? Carrying a flask I think. I was in the green jacket next to Tim looking like a drowned rat.
Hope you can make Arant Haw. Can be tricky to spot Ali when he's moving that fast mind, but I'm sure he would've stopped to say hello as he passed had he recognised you, he is a gentleman!