100% support for whatever decision you make, Lefty, from Darwen Dashers (especially as one of our runners broke an ankle on the event a few years ago on ice).
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100% support for whatever decision you make, Lefty, from Darwen Dashers (especially as one of our runners broke an ankle on the event a few years ago on ice).
Unfortunately the 2012 Pennine Bridleway Relay is cancelled. There is still a considerable amount of treacherous hard ice on the route which is not going to shift before Sunday. We will not be reorganising the event at a later date and despite having spent several hundred pounds on organsing the event we will be refunding entry fees.
My thanks to all of the club/team captains for all of the hard work they have put in by entering and organising the teams. I hope that word gets around although I fancy I will still need to go to Fearns School at 7.00 am on Sunday just in case.
That was a tough call to make Lefty but fully understand why you made it. Thanks for keeping us regularly updated. Have notified all our runners so hopefully we won't have any randoms turning up at the start of their legs on Sunday!
Bring on next year!
Hmmm.....good call Lefty and nice to see nobody is slating it....I think I will still have a little run rou nd my leg
First of all, don't take this as an attack on the organiser (it's not) but everyone assumes the above. Why are you "in the poo"? The organiser is organising an adventurous event over difficult terrain in winter conditions. All he needs to do is demonstrate he's taken all reasonable steps to make the event as safe as it can be, given it's nature. I the case of ice, the organiser only needs to make all runners aware of the conditions and the risk and perhaps recommend some precautions (eg orienteering shoes with metal dobs would massively reduce the risk). Don't have any? Well then, the decision on whether YOU should run or not is YOURS as an individual.Quote:
Originally Posted by alfa_scud
All off-road events have hazards; hidden holes, rocks to trip over, slippery grass and mud. It's part of the game.
If the current trend towards nannying and over-cautiousness continues it will be the death of organised fell-races and then all we'll have left will be unofficial 'underground' events...... actually that might not be a bad thing.
PS - I work as a Safety Advisor....
Good decision Lefty. It's the only one you could have made. I saw it coming a while back. I remember what it was like on sheet ice on Rombald's Stride a few years back on the approach to Menston. It was absolutely lethal and I only ever mince even when I'm racing. Therefore this would have been a no-no.
Good decision making.
Assess - review - assess - review . Decision made.
Disappointed, but understandable. My coccyx is mightily relieved. It's still not forgiven me from a few years back when I ran/luged Leg 5.
I,ve just done one of my fave routes, from Cowpe up leg 5 on to Waughs, whittle and Cowpe Lowe. it's very hard packed ice on the Bridleways. It would be bad enough for the experienced runners running on that sort of surface. I managed to stay upright. It's a shame the route doesn't go over open moorland as there's good running off the bridleway,
Sounds like the right decision, disappointing as it is. Many thanks for the updates and full support for the final decision; Howgill Harriers will be burning off the carbs elsewhere this weekend, and at least we don't have to get up early on Sunday..!
As a runner I fully agree with the sentiments expressed by Fellhound, many of us enjoy some of the added risks that come with our sport, hurtling down a tricky fellside, battling with the elements or thrashing around thinking you know where you are on some remote clag bound mountainside. As an organiser though you have to think slightly differently. Whilst the legal side of your actions as an organiser most probably doesnt enter the equation ( although I did consult with a personal injury lawyer this last week who gave me some usefull advice !) its more on the moral side and having to think about the safety of others, some who may be less experienced than most. Having observed copius amounts of blood on a famous Lady fell runners gashed open chin last year after she slipped on ice and accounts of several other serious injuries in the event including broken legs, it is upsetting and somehow you take it personally, its you that is organising the race and someone has injured themselves in your race. Checking the route out this week I was certainly torn between my wanting to have the race with the extra challenge the conditions would bring or opting for the play safe option.....in the end with my Organisers head on, play safe wins every time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fellhound
As I think, the said runner with a gashed chin, relaying the story again was never meant in any way personally other than to fully support Lefty and his decision
And I agree, I was lucky, once the fairies had disapeared from around my head I was able to run on and finish, had I not it would have been another call out for mountain rescue - I knew there was ice there, I think have a resaonable amount of experience, I was not taking risks, just unluckily hit the ice wrong. The potential consequence of it going very wrong would have impacted on others in terms of having to be helped off the hill - and thats why I think Lefty was spot on with his call - even more so today having taken an off road running group and struggled to find suitable un iced hills to practice on...
Sarah
Just wondering if there's a date for next year yet?
For numerous reasons, far too many to mention here the Pennine Bridleway Relay will no longer be held. Thanks to everyone for your support in the past.
This is very sad news. Our club loved this event and thought the world of it. Seems calderdale is the only local relay left!
also very sorry to hear this
one of the few events that would accept a Fell Ponies team :)
Shocking news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The calderdale relay doesn't even come close to this event, this WAS by far my favourite.
Sad sad news :thunbdown: