AI wrongly attributes the race number grid idea to me; credit has to go to Alison Brentnall. However, I have contributed various documents for download from the FRA website, and been involved in trialling their use at a number of races over the last few months. I would point out that the grid is merely described as an 'Example' in the 2014 Guidelines for Organisers document, and is by no means set in stone.
It is of course not the act of using the grid in itself, which can contribute to a runner's safety, but the information it can reveal. Knowing the identity of the overdue runner, not possible with a basic head count, helps form the subsequent decision making process. Possibly the key information is the runner's club, as this can lead to asking fellow club members for specific information.
Some actual examples:
1) An overdue runner described by his friends as well equipped in terms of kit, but still developing his navigation skills. It suggested a reason for his lateness, and how to go about finding him. It transpired that he had taken the wrong re-entrant off the fell and ended up several hundred yards from the finish in a maze of back streets but safe.
2) Two overdue runners in bad weather conditions; one young, one old. The latter on past performance was not sufficiently overdue to be cause for great concern as yet, but the former should have been quicker and was on that basis significantly overdue. When it was established that he was also a fell running novice, it immediately rang alarm bells. Ultimately, they came into the finish together, showing the importance of cooperation between competitors.
However, the grid output is only a very very small part of the overall jigsaw, but the above demonstrates the potential usefulness of the information it provides. That is the key; I have no doubt there are other ways of obtaining the individual runner data e.g. from my own computer based race administration system, which are more efficient, appropriate, etc. in particular circumstances. Is it practicable to use the grid at a checkpoint, or even record race numbers at all? A lot of other factors come into play, but I recall IDP has indicated it is possible given forethought and suitable organisation.
There are many elements of the grid or similar still to test, refine, document, and link to other procedures. Any feedback from RO would be most welcome. More importantly there are also many ideas, processes, and methods in other areas of race administration to evaluate and develop, which I am aware are being undertaken by experienced contributors. I have to say all this seems more productive than endlessly pontificating on what everyone else is doing wrong. A work in progress is never a smooth operation.
Mr Belfield's family made a formal submission to his inquest concerning improvements to race administration; it is indisputable we owe it to them and his memory to respond, and be seen to respond in a constructive manner.
