New safety rules

I will be asking the FRA Secretary if as a Committee they are looking to audit compliance of RO with the new safety regulations and to certain the practical utility of these rules or is it a case of job now done....?
As tragic as the recent incident(s) are, how many such events has the sport had in the last 25years? Compare this to the London Marathon, Great North Run etc.

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Originally Posted by peateater

I've watched this tortuous debate for a long time now and hoped against hope that the amended rules would help to genuinely increase the safety of the sport without compromising the absolute right of fell runners to make intelligent choices about their own safety. Sadly, this has not happened.
As an experienced fell runner and mountaineer (and rescuer), I will soon lose the right to make decisions about my own welfare: Even if it's a record heat wave, I can't chose to use pertex kit on A/ long B races, or take off my vest if I overheat, In winter I'll have to queue to unzip my top at busy, freezing checkpoints, instead of wearing my number on my shorts as I believe it is safer. These may not sound huge issues to some, but to me they are fundamental freedoms that are part of our wonderful sport. The statement near the start of the FRA safety rules draft - The philosophy of fell running is that it is the competitor, him or herself, who is primarily responsible for their own safety whilst competing. seems completely at odds with this arrogant decision to remove our ability to take responsibility for ourselves. Sadly, If I have my right to make choices as an informed adult removed in this way, I just can't see any way of continuing to compete in FRA races in future.

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Well said, it's going to alter the tradition and reason many of us run and race on the fells! I'm also wondering how much the UKA has influenced such a an extensive reaction from the FRA?

Isn't it time this thread stopped and we get on with it. People have spent a lot of their spare time doing all this so we can go racing. So let's say thanks a lot and get on with it instead of once again picking everything to pieces.

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Originally Posted by luxinterior

Isn't it time this thread stopped and we get on with it. People have spent a lot of their spare time doing all this so we can go racing. So let's say thanks a lot and get on with it instead of once again picking everything to pieces.

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If we're going to take a decision to stop the thread, we need to debate it extensively first. :)

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Originally Posted by luxinterior

Isn't it time this thread stopped and we get on with it. People have spent a lot of their spare time doing all this so we can go racing. So let's say thanks a lot and get on with it instead of once again picking everything to pieces.

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It would be most unkind if it were stopped, It is harmless enough and anyhow what would they do all day? The Tories are closing all the libraries and what have you.

Well I'm not coming back to the forum until this black hole of a thread stops... completely!

Damn in posting that I've somehow come back and stopped myself from coming back at the same time :)

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Originally Posted by luxinterior

Isn't it time this thread stopped and we get on with it. People have spent a lot of their spare time doing all this so we can go racing. So let's say thanks a lot and get on with it instead of once again picking everything to pieces.

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There is a process that has to be gone through in order that you can continue to race. It's called Race Organisation.
Perhaps there should be a separate ROs forum so we don't bore stupid those that just want to run?
Or perhaps those that find the thread tiresome can chose to look at the other threads and leave this one to those that are interested?

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Originally Posted by Lecky

If you had tried to record numbers at the 3 Shires race this year, as I did, you would be aware that it is very difficult indeed to read numbers on shorts, they are invariably folded small and on the wrong leg when approaching. The effect of this is to make it hard to read the next persons number. That person is unlikely to want to slow down, so it is more likely to misread, or entirely miss that number. The following person then has their number obscured by their rucksack straps - that's another missed person. Just think how many problems of accounting for who has been through the checkpoint that all this causes.

I think that this shows that you are NOT an informed adult, so perhaps making it clear where you should have your number is a good thing.

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Hi Lecky I only know you through the wonders of the Forum and your posts, I do know Peateater however I can assure he is an informed adult, Very experienced in big long and wild races, and in the mountain safety environment.

I also regularly put my number on my shorts (unfolded if possible) in bad weather as I've also marshalled in bad weather when every number is covered by a waterproof let alone rucsac straps and as you say racers don't like to slow down at cp.

I can't say there is a perfect solution but I prefer to show my number as much as possible.

I don't fold

The answer is to buy extremely large shorts that can be pulled right up under your arms then you wouldn't have to wear a vest and your number would be clearly displayed on your chest.

The new rules misquoted from Richard Askwiths.

'Fell running is dangerous and may result in injury or death.
Don't try it. Go to a gym instead,
or stay at home and watch television.

If only