someone add coach clamp, hes in as well:)
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someone add coach clamp, hes in as well:)
Who is Coach Clamp anyway?Quote:
Originally Posted by hoffmeister
marvin coach clamp is fleeters dadQuote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
a good fellrunner
Mapper, good to see you on the mend. See you next tues. Cheers
Good to see the Ben thread back on the first sheet - I thought you were slacking Tomsk! Somebody still needs to delete Mapper - he remains there under false pretences and Timo probably thinks that he will move up the reserve list when he's deleted!
Barley Badgers probably need renaming after this week to something along the lines of the SARDA (search and rescue dogs). Did the missing person turn up????
Also ran what a genius idea - i'll even let them know he's not running if you like, which gets me thinking.........
Timo
Don't get excited Timo!!!! - he's not entered in the Race, just has his name on the forum list under false pretences. It needs someone who can work the forum tools properly to take him off. I think he should be banned from contributing to this thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by Timo Austino
You mean like this?Quote:
Originally Posted by Also Ran
Well done Marvin - a clean list without that interloper Mapper!Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
Timo was getting excited for a while - but he will have to bide his time.
I think this thread could go the distance - hell it's only 7 months away now!
Mapper
Tomsk
Alsoran
Martin
Marvin
slowcoach
Stick
hairy legs
Madmick
Stagger
Fleeter
Silly Big Fella
Steph
Clodhopper
DazH
Grifter
Wobblehead (15th reserve before Christmas, not sure now)
Goose Fat
Coach Clamp
Back on it now folks! I think on the basis that my name was on there to start with and that I haven't contacted the organisers to have me 'removed' from the entry list then I should remain. Besides, I'm helping to grow the thread!
Yes, its coming round quickly. Better start your training programme Alsoran.Quote:
Originally Posted by Also Ran
Tomsk
Alsoran
Martin
Marvin (No 192)
slowcoach
Stick
hairy legs
Madmick
Stagger
Fleeter
Silly Big Fella
Steph
Clodhopper
DazH
Grifter
Wobblehead (15th reserve before Christmas, not sure now)
Goose Fat
Coach Clamp
Isn't this the correct list?
Mapper
Tomsk
Alsoran
Martin
Marvin (No 192)
slowcoach
Stick
hairy legs
Madmick
Stagger
Fleeter
Silly Big Fella
Steph
Clodhopper
DazH
Grifter
Wobblehead (15th reserve before Christmas, not sure now)
Goose Fat
Coach Clamp
That's more like it.
I'm getting the hang of this quoting business now - Mapper you've been banned from this thread. You should have sent your entry in time!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by mapper
Mapper, what's your entry number?Quote:
Originally Posted by Also Ran
Mapper
Tomsk
Alsoran
Martin
Marvin (No 192)
slowcoach
Stick
hairy legs
Madmick
Stagger
Fleeter
Silly Big Fella
Steph
Clodhopper
Mapper
DazH
Grifter
Wobblehead (15th reserve before Christmas, not sure now)
Goose Fat
Coach Clamp
Stop bullying me. If you don't let me back in I'll start a thread on the Grisedale horseshoe which clashes with the Ben (and in my view is a much better, challenging and difficult race, given that there are more ups & downs and you do have to navigate!)
Mapper
Tomsk
Alsoran
Martin
Marvin (No 192)
slowcoach
Stick
hairy legs
Madmick
Stagger
Fleeter
Silly Big Fella
Steph
Clodhopper
Mapper
DazH
Grifter
Wobblehead (15th reserve)
Goose Fat
Coach Clamp
Still 15th reserve, nobody dropped out yet!
On the basis that Mapper has been so persistant. Do you think which should leave him on the list as a token jesture. Not wanting to upset him etc etc.
You know he can get a bit tetchy and we want this thread to go the distance.
What do you think?
I have a question for all you eager beavers. If you enter a race and win and the best runners are missing because the 'boat' left early, are you still as happy, satisfied, or couldn't care less 'cause a wins a win even if you're the only runner!
Well I ask this because I will be running the Ben but the 'gloss' will be missing because some of the elite and some of the 'not so elite' missed the boat and didn't get their entry in on time.
I will be happy to finish sometime over 2hrs 30mins so I won't see any of the 'elite' except when they pass me in a blur going down as I go up. The best O40 fell runner in the country and arguably still the best descender in the country didn't put his entry in late he just didnt put his entry in until about mid December. The resulst is that he is about 70th in the 'reserve' list.
I refer of course to Ian Holmes. Now many of you probably couldn't care less and there is an argument for first come first served.
Races such as the Three Peaks guarantee places for the first 5 I think from the previous race (and certainly next year when all these 100 foreign internationals turn up I hope that our top runners are there to show them how its done). Is there an argument for similar considerations at the other classics?
I think there is a case for reserving a small number of entries, but only for a limited period of time - you have to keep your eye on the ball to know when some of these entries open. I entered the Ben Race on 14th January last year for the 2006 race, and I don't think the race was full until several weeks later. It filled much quicker this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iken Fityemean
Having said that, I finished in 2:10 last year. My objective is to finish in under 2 hours this year. I'm not that bothered about my place, but maybe that gets more important the further up the field you are.
How long would you class as limited? Is this not the same as saying get your enties in now or you wont get in. Would you send out an invitation by e-mail along the lines of " An entry has been reserved for you, if you don't reply within 4 weeks, the organisers will assume you do not wish to run?"Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvin
Incidentally Marvin, as well as trying to beat previous times, don't we also have a scan of 'faces' running alongside and just in front of us to look out for regulars that have similar times or better so that we mentally see them as targets to beat?
I agree - I think they way to do it would be to restrict entries to those who can do under 2:30 which is ample time to get up and down the thing.
Last year the host club Lochaber entered 80 runners in the Ben. 61 actually ran. Now then,does that mean that 25% of their runners were cancellations i.e. notified the organiser they weren't going to race so that some in the reserve list could take their place? OR did a large percentage just not bother? Have you seen how many Lochaber have entered this year?
Still on percentages, 500 runners were down to run on race day but only 377 turned up. If my maths are correct that equates to 24.6% "missing in action/ no shows". Therefore Lochabers figures suggest that is the average and is there a need to to send e-mails to the Clubs around June/July asking them to remind their members to contact the Ben organisers with names of those unable to run. If the figure of 25% is the 'norm' then 125 runners on the reserve list (if its that big) could get an entry!:D
and..pray tell us Enid, how does one know whether one will achieve 2.30 on this particular visit? I know many veterans of the Ben race who may do 2.15 or 2.45 in their dotage. I also know many first timers who didn't make the 2.30 mark.:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Enid Gumby
Great idea just think of all those fat lying bast***s who line up for the London Marathon every year and start in the sub 3hr 30 enclosure, we could be like them! As well as having qualifying races before we can enter, maybe we ought to ban first timers or make them take a lie detector test that they can beat 2hrs 30 even if theyve broken their leg on the way down. Lets put an age limit on as well. We don't want the Ben cluttered up with all these old slow far*s! Better still its a Scottish race lets restrict it to Scotsman and ginger hairy ones at that!:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Enid Gumby
Having thought about it you're probably right it would be difficult to administer and there's too many rules and regulations out there anyway.
I think a general appeal to all those who expect to do over 2:30 to do the right thing and withdraw so that we can have the meaningful race that you're after might be the best way forward?
Iken, you have certainly opened up a can of worms here. If we restrict to 2:30 Hrs, what about those who are chasing the 21 races completed. Many of the guys in this cat will be outside your restricted time. How do you account for them?
What about opening a pre-entry table on the day for the following year, so those racing this year can guarantee a place for the following year if they so wish.
This debate could run well into Sept 07 !!!!
I am sure Mapper & Alsoran will have something to say aout this.
Keep the thread alive.
I think, in the interests of equality, that ginger hairy Scotswomen should be admitted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iken Fityemean
Without knowing the numbers of received / rejected entries it's difficult to make an informed decision, but what if it was still pre-entry but without a limit?
If, as Itken says, about 25% of the pre-entrants don't show up then would numbers be massively over 500 on race day anyway?
Does anyone from Lochaber have any stats?
The figures I gave dont tell the whole story. It would be interesting to hear from any 'Ben' runner in the past five years who was on the 'reserve' list and was notified they'd been given an entry; where they were (i.e. what number) they were on the said list. ???
If you accept that a percentage of conscientious runners contact the organiser to say that they won't be running, the equivalent number of runners will then be 'promoted' from the reserves to the list. On race day the 25% of no shows will be made up of newly promoted runners and original listed runners who don't turn up and don't tell anyone beforehand.
As with most stats, who cares?
I know the organisers don't because despite superb organization, 350 to 400 runners is what they expect despite the ceiling of 500 because anymore would stretch anybodys resources especially on a mountain like the Ben where broken bones, cuts and gashes are a regular feature and sometimes rewarded with a helicopter finish to casualty.
I think the main problem here lies with the absence of a more practical substitution policy. At present I think non runners have to declare by end of July - most people who are injured will probably be hoping they will be fit by early Sept and there is still over 5 weeks for other runners to injure themselves.
I understand that the organisers dont really want 500 actually running - this number seems to reduce to around the 350 (which the organisers seem comfortable with) by a combination of the previously mentioned factors.
I do believe that the race is certainly poorer for not having the top runners there - Ian Holmes case is a good case in point and I would certainly prefer to see him in the race. How you legislate however is always going to be difficult. I dont think only allowing people who can beat 2.30 would be fair and that would also change the nature of the event. My solution would be a subsititution system in the same way as 3 Peaks ie within same club up to the day of the race.
Last year Keiron Carr of Clayton (V60 winner) was on reserve list and had at least 7 offers from fellow CLEM runners for their number. Obviously this wouldnt have been allowed and he did get his subsitution via legitimate means eventually.
Guaranteed entry for first 10 and the category first 3 might also help. The debate will continue no doubt
Lots of innovative ideas coming through on this thead on the way the BNR should sort its pre entries in the future. Lets hope that the BNR committee are reading this thread. I think not. Can live in hope.
Lets get back to see which forumites are doing the race this year. Do we have an update on entries and reserves etc.
Also lets get some postings on here for those that have sent their entries back, cannot do the race due to unforseen circumstances etc etc.
Keep the thread at the top of the leader board.
Best Hill race in the UK. If not let us know !!!!!
That should get some varied comments !!
Ayup,
Nats and I emailed the organiser a couple of weeks back and they seemed genuinley aware of the problems and want to try and do something about it, but powers beyond their control place a limit of 500 on the whole shibang!
Their advice, for next year at least, was to try and get your entry in as soon as possible - 2008 entries from the end of Sept and any earlier will be officially barred from all future races....... honest!
just glad im in this magical race
everyone from my missus to my workmates have said im nuts to do it but i just cant wait
i really would like to know if theres any specific trainin i can do for the ben or should i just keep doing plenty of races and lots of hill work.
want to really give it my all
Quote:
Originally Posted by daz h
Daz, nowt like rubbin' it in is there!!!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Timo Austino
sorry mate but its my first time
im sooo excited
sorry your not in yet, i couldnt believe it filled up that quick
It's the pits of a race really. Don't know what the fuss is about. If you aren't running you aren't missing anything. Can't think why I'm doing it again.......Quote:
Originally Posted by daz h
...... or maybe I can!
Daz I've done it twice now and this year will be my third. I'm convinced you need a good strength and endurance base. To that end I run Ben Ledi most weeks giving me a 2500' climb in 2.5 mile which should give me the leg strenghth as its just a bit steeper than the Ben. A weekly long run in the 15 - 20 mile mark should give me the endurance. I'm looking to get my best time of 2:22 down to < 2hrsQuote:
Originally Posted by daz h
About 5 pints of Ben Race ale in the Grog & Gruel, Fort William on the Friday night should do it!Quote:
Originally Posted by daz h
It's worked a few sub 2 hours in the race for me!
My conclusion from running the race for the first time last year was that I need more long steep hill work, especially the coming down. In the first half of the descent, once you leave the plateau, it's steep and goes on for such a long time - there's no respite. I haven't experienced the effect on my legs in any of the races in the Peak District because the hills just aren't high enough. Then once you're back onto the tourist path, the legs don't work, and the last undulating mile on tarmac is a killer. But I loved it.
Daz, seeing your form on recent races, you'll do it in under 2 hours, but how much under?