Unwritten Fell Running Rules

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Originally Posted by Wheeze

Its not odd, just a different venue which allows some to express how they really feel rather than keep it under a cloak of british reserve. I suspect that if 20 queuing runners watched someone get ahead of them by jumping a fence, none of them would say anything but nearly all would be thinking 'prat' or 'cheat' or whatever. Put those same 20 on the forum and I bet nearly all of them would, from the safety of their keyboard, give vent to those thoughts. And yes, most of them would be lovely people!

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Maybe, maybe not who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if the big posters here don't get out much due to injury etc. No wonder they are a bit tetchy.

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Originally Posted by Henry Porter

The forum is odd. It seems quite a harsh place and I find it hard to reconcile the attitude here with the lovely people I meet at races and on the fells.

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Agree, can be pretty harsh, like Wheeze mentions, from the safety of their keyboards they can be very unforgiving. Different story when you meet folk face to face. Think the trick is not to take some folk too seriously on here, not worth worrying about really.

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Originally Posted by stevefoster

Agree, can be pretty harsh, like Wheeze mentions, from the safety of their keyboards they can be very unforgiving. Different story when you meet folk face to face. Think the trick is not to take some folk too seriously on here, not worth worrying about really.

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Top post sir!

I do try to understand where some of you are comming from.

BUT GET REAL

There are only ELEVEN rules to fell running and the guy managed KNOWINGLY break two of them.

RULE SIX
All competitors must obey the FRA Rules for Competition and any additional rules drawn up by the raceorganisers for each fell race.
RULE SEVEN
No runner may take part in any fell race without having entered the race in accordance with the rules and

procedures.

Yes, we may appear a little harsh, and its a credit to the Gent he confessed but we are polite when out but I have done kit checks and inspections and it make me mad when folks try to break the rules for what ever reason.
RANT OVER.

Have a nice day you all.

Sir,

May I respectfully point out that if you are referring to the previously mentioned 'Lakeland 50' race, then could I respecfully point out that the rules below are irrelevant, as the race is not to the best of my knowledge organised under FRA rules, or permitted / insured by FRA.

Yours respectfully,

Dom.

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Originally Posted by Stagger

I do try to understand where some of you are comming from.

BUT GET REAL

There are only ELEVEN rules to fell running and the guy managed KNOWINGLY break two of them.

RULE SIX
All competitors must obey the FRA Rules for Competition and any additional rules drawn up by the raceorganisers for each fell race.
RULE SEVEN
No runner may take part in any fell race without having entered the race in accordance with the rules and

procedures.

Yes, we may appear a little harsh, and its a credit to the Gent he confessed but we are polite when out but I have done kit checks and inspections and it make me mad when folks try to break the rules for what ever reason.
RANT OVER.

Have a nice day you all.

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Originally Posted by dominion

Sir,

May I respectfully point out that if you are referring to the previously mentioned 'Lakeland 50' race, then could I respecfully point out that the rules below are irrelevant, as the race is not to the best of my knowledge organised under FRA rules, or permitted / insured by FRA.

Yours respectfully,

Dom.

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Oh, I guess it makes it OK not to follow the rules then Dom.

Surley the Organiser sets the kit list for a reason and if we choose to run his race should we not comply?

Its getting like a nanny state on here.
Breaking the rules is OK, but NO ONE must criticise because thats a crime.

Maybe more of you lot should volunteer to check kit at your local races and help make our sport a bit safer.

Not taking sides here and I agree 100% with Stagger on the kit issue, and indeed following all the organiser's & FRA rules, but having read back through this thread the Lakeland 50 issue that Dom refers to isn't about kit but about the crossing of a gate next to a stile, which is poor form in a fell race, but is it also the case in an ultra/challenge walk with it's own rules?

I really don't care any more about who wants to carry what kit, as far as I'm concerned, I carry what I need to keep me safe and will happily submit to kit checks at any point before or after a race. If someone is so stupid to not carry kit and then needs help, I also have no objection to them using some of my kit to get them off the hill provided it doesn't put me in danger. If it does put me in danger, then sorry but tough luck I'm keeping it. Golden rule of rescue is not to create more casualties.

I know I won't be disqualified from a race unless it's by accident, if someone else wants to risk that, then it's up to them. Rules have to be in place for various reasons and I'm happy to abide by them (whether I agree with them or not), and it's not my responsibility to enforce them.

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Originally Posted by Multiterrainer

Not taking sides here and I agree 100% with Stagger on the kit issue, and indeed following all the organiser's & FRA rules, but having read back through this thread the Lakeland 50 issue that Dom refers to isn't about kit but about the crossing of a gate next to a stile, which is poor form in a fell race, but is it also the case in an ultra/challenge walk with it's own rules?

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To be honest, I think climbing a gate when there's a stile next to it is poor form fullstop. Regardless of whether it's a race or whether you're just out for a walk.

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Originally Posted by Rob Furness

F*** off then.




Just kidding :)

I agree actually, lot's of negativity at times. I blame the tories

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LOL - good summary of the way (I hope) a lot of the seemingly aggressive tone in some posts are either well-meant humour or equally well-meant advice. I have not had my first rant on here yet but it seems like a rite of passage...

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Originally Posted by Howgill Tarrier

I have not had my first rant on here yet but it seems like a rite of passage...

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I, amoung many other I guess, have put things in writing here and regreted it afterwards

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Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry

I, amoung many other I guess, have put things in writing here and regreted it afterwards

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Very easy to post something in the heat of the moment and regret it afterwards.
The maxim that we should all follow is not to post anything that we wouldn't be prepared to say in a face-to-face situation.

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Originally Posted by The Navigator

Very easy to post something in the heat of the moment and regret it afterwards.
The maxim that we should all follow is not to post anything that we wouldn't be prepared to say in a face-to-face situation.

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Agree 100% Also, if your told to carry specific kit by the organiser then carry it, whether you agree with it or not. They do a lot of hard graft to put on a race for us so respect there judgement/rules. If you post Summat in the heat of the moment and regret it, apologise, everyone makes mistakes, job's reet then.

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Originally Posted by gafrymynydd

Hahahahaha!!!! thats the funniest thing I've heard for a while!! :w00t:
As for a fence of 4ft high...................would have no hesitation of clearing it........hand on top of the post and hop........job done :-)

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& weaken the fence post. Obviously you have not heard of the Countryside Code. :-(
Only enter & leave a field by the gate where possible.

Regards,

Max.

Unwritten rule of fell running

#Not posting in unwritten rules of fell running



....DOH

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Originally Posted by dominion

To be honest, I think climbing a gate when there's a stile next to it is poor form fullstop. Regardless of whether it's a race or whether you're just out for a walk.

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Cheers Dom! You've cleared this up for me! Its OK to climb a gate (...at the hinge!) if its on its own and its on a footpath, permitable to do so etc etc. But if next to a stile its unacceptable. Therefore its also unacceptable in a race/trail race etc. I won't be doin this again! Its nice when you're given a logical explaination.

A small point, just to clarify on the kit thing!! My post was a simple confession of my own sorry weakness, I assumed it would be recognised in the way I wrote it, that I saw it as an embarrassing episode of foolhardiness. It was possibly written with a slightly too flippant edge. I posted it more in backing for Sam Ayres than enything else. I realised the error of my ways.

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Originally Posted by that_fjell_guy

Cheers Dom! You've cleared this up for me! Its OK to climb a gate (...at the hinge!) if its on its own and its on a footpath, permitable to do so etc etc. But if next to a stile its unacceptable. Therefore its also unacceptable in a race/trail race etc. I won't be doin this again! Its nice when you're given a logical explaination.

A small point, just to clarify on the kit thing!! My post was a simple confession of my own sorry weakness, I assumed it would be recognised in the way I wrote it, that I saw it as an embarrassing episode of foolhardiness. It was possibly written with a slightly too flippant edge. I posted it more in backing for Sam Ayres than enything else. I realised the error of my ways.

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One thing comes to mind in this thread, and I do think that those you run without the min' kit are cheating and should be disqualified if they win any thing but,-

Let him without sin cast the first stone.

Life is to short to worry about what has been and what could have been and to bear grudges, learn and move on in all thing, which I think you have done.:)

PS I too ran my first hill race without all the kit, it was because I didn't know any better, now I carry it all and more even on short training runs, I think of it as a weight vest to help me train harder.

ATB

Tahr

For the record, it is definitely not acceptable to barge past half the field in the first 100m when starting from the back in the first 100m, physically knocking into fellow runners like a nutter on speed, only to grind to a slow walk within 20m when confronted by the first hill. Even if you don't pull up to a walk this is not acceptable behaviour.

It always makes me laugh when I get a shout of "coming through !" when someone is trying to get past. I always feel that they are hoping I'm going to make way for them. If you're "coming through" then crack on & do it, I don't need a commentary.

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Originally Posted by No map, no compass

For the record, it is definitely not acceptable to barge past half the field in the first 100m when starting from the back in the first 100m, physically knocking into fellow runners like a nutter on speed, only to grind to a slow walk within 20m when confronted by the first hill. Even if you don't pull up to a walk this is not acceptable behaviour.

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My friend did this last night at Loughrigg--- (in his defence not that there is any) his third race, he rushed out from toilet, and then got a bit carried away.

He also had people who had words with him after the race rightly so as this is the way to learn.
I had a great chat with him in car on way home and explained the ethos of our sport how and why we do this, and what he did was wrong, he was completely and utterly devastated last night that he had created so much hassle.
God willing he will learn if not then he will find his own way to races.
i have to say sorry to a runner who i know is in Ireland this weekend so i will do that.

But i missed prize giving as i thought better to get him away.

I can vouch for him he is a decent chap.
Steve

Hope that hasn't left a bitter feeling amongst all those involved. Sounds like a genuine error-of-judgement and I think it is very easy for more experienced runners to misjudge the first few hundred metres too. I was facing the wrong way at a race start this weekend and had to make a quick recalculation...

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Originally Posted by Amex

My friend did this last night at Loughrigg--- (in his defence not that there is any) his third race, he rushed out from toilet, and then got a bit carried away.

He also had people who had words with him after the race rightly so as this is the way to learn.
I had a great chat with him in car on way home and explained the ethos of our sport how and why we do this, and what he did was wrong, he was completely and utterly devastated last night that he had created so much hassle.
God willing he will learn if not then he will find his own way to races.
i have to say sorry to a runner who i know is in Ireland this weekend so i will do that.

But i missed prize giving as i thought better to get him away.

I can vouch for him he is a decent chap.
Steve

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I think the best advice you could give your mate is to leave the iPod at home for races, then he would be able to relate to those around him much better. Sorry that you felt you had to go home early, as it was nowt to do with you.

Rigby

Never have a crap in a race where another runner may put his/her foot in it.

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Originally Posted by Fudge the Elf

Never have a crap in a race where another runner may put his/her foot in it.

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Unless it's a long race (by which I mean out for over 4 hours) a quick trip to the loo before the race should see you straight.

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Originally Posted by Fudge the Elf

Never have a crap in a race where another runner may put his/her foot in it.

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A good friend of mine (who shall remain nameless) stepped off the path during the Famous Grouse (approx. 7km) a few years ago, dropped his shorts, dumped, and within 30 seconds had caught up with me again! I couldn't believe it.

Well that made me laugh, thanks for haring that little nugget.

:w00t:

attaching your number to your shorts can improve your running by approx 30 seconds per mile.
running barechested/bareback is for nutcases.

at the re-routed Stanbury Splash i bypassed a short queue for a style by using the gate which is 20 yards to the left of it.

you have to jump the conduit to get to the gate, but it's on my regular run so i knew it was there and i do it all the time.

i opened and closed the gate as normal and did not climb it. i gained maybe 5 or 6 places at the time.

there was an awful lot of shouting behind me.

i considered this use of local knowledge, but i clearly upset at least a couple of people.

naturally, if there hadn't been an alternative way through i would have queued

have i transgressed?

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Originally Posted by logicmonkey

at the re-routed Stanbury Splash i bypassed a short queue for a style by using the gate which is 20 yards to the left of it.

you have to jump the conduit to get to the gate, but it's on my regular run so i knew it was there and i do it all the time.

i opened and closed the gate as normal and did not climb it. i gained maybe 5 or 6 places at the time.

there was an awful lot of shouting behind me.

i considered this use of local knowledge, but i clearly upset at least a couple of people.

naturally, if there hadn't been an alternative way through i would have queued

have i transgressed?

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No, unless the route was flagged over the stile.

thanks - as i thought.

more gate etiquette...

1) if you have to unhitch and open a gate and there's someone hot on your heels, should you leave it open for them to hitch up again?

2) if i can't see what the person ahead of me did but i know there's someone behind me, is vaulting legit? i define that as one hand on top of a gate post, no climbing.

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Originally Posted by No map, no compass

No, unless the route was flagged over the stile.

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But does a right of way (or open access land) go through the gate. Were you trespassing by doing that?

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Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry

But does a right of way (or open access land) go through the gate. Were you trespassing by doing that?

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the conduit (water course) runs to the fence and you run to the right of it and hit a stile. if you jump it and run on its left, you reach the gate. both are on access land and the gate and the stile emerge onto the same path. the gate simply exists so you can get through the fence from the other side of the conduit. you have to cross the conduit early since at the fence it's very boggy between the gate and the style which are both on firm ground. i use the gate because the style is slippery when wet.

Sounds like you are perfectly OK!

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Originally Posted by logicmonkey

thanks - as i thought.

more gate etiquette...

1) if you have to unhitch and open a gate and there's someone hot on your heels, should you leave it open for them to hitch up again?

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This is a bit of an old thread resurrection, but I just read the entire thing looking for an answer to this question.

I have always closed gates behind me when out and about - that's just what you do right! Or more accurately, leave them as you find them, they may have been left open by a farmer for a good reason.

Of course if there is someone close behind then I won't pull a gate shut on them - that would be mean, but if I know it's a little while before the person behind me will arrive at the gate then I would instinctively close it.

Is there any preferred etiquette on this?

No. Common sense, personal judgement!

Yes as Chris said, If they can see that you have deliberately left it open for them you have to assume they will close it.

Cool - thanks!!

So, if it's obvious, leave open, otherwise, close.

Will see how that works out anyway :)

Thank you!!

Obviously it depends if the runner just behind you is related to you by marriage or not (especially if you’ve just hit a bad patch) 😏

I have in the past, opened a gate then stopped to politely hold it open for the runner(s) behind before carrying on. They weren't even related! Maybe I'm just not competitive enough... :confused: