Re: Fell races, what are they?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
IanDarkpeak
most would Iain but the forecast was for gusts of 65mph, most are exposed spots even if every one had a serious mountain tent and they were able to pitch it in those conditions.
Didn't realise the winds as well. But my main point is fell running is about mountain sense.. so runners should be able to tough out and cope in bad weather..
Going back to the old Peris.. it was just cloudy and raining... even the organiser said 'winds were gusting at 40 mph'.. which people who have experience know isn't that severe.. for me about 50 it gets an issue, above 60 a real issue, above 70-80 and being out is a huge issue..
Sweaty was it? mentioned that runners would have to follow each other due to drifts.. but that happens anyway, both peris and 1000m peaks records were set by people following CD weren't they.. its just tactics..
I was thinking today, I was out in pretty horrifically cold weather, but I could keep moving.. snow wasn't that deep and it was pretty compacted due to skiiers.. so I could keep running and keep warm. So I'd have raced in such situations. We did Ras Yr Aran, 2008? in similar conditions, it was shortened wisely as the summit cone would have been lethal, but roads were clear, so the race went ahead.
Marshalls are worth considering as they are sedentary, I just think runners out on the actual run should be trusted, like at the great lakes, and as Ian said... (other one).. if you don't think you can get around, don't run.. that puts it onto the runner to take personal responsibility. Its why I'm against arbitrary shortening or cancelling for just moderately bad weather. It creates the mindset of 'well the race is on, therefore its safe to run'.. it creates false security, removes personal responsibility, but also what is safe conditions for one person, is not safe for another and we shouldn't reduce fell running to the lowest common denominator... I know thats elitist.. I am.. :-)
TBH though I do think RO's have to cave into MRT's whether they agree or not.. its just too risky to go against them. Was it Wasdale where the MRT called it off? I think Ras Yr Aran today was similar.. you can imagine the press if someone had an accident, after the local MRT had actually come out and advised to call it off... which is rare as they almost always come from a risk taking sport like climbing, mountaineering, fell running, so undertstand what we want.
I don't think Ian had much choice today, there's bad weather.. snow.. but this was a pretty extreme dump for March..
