2010 Championship

Like I said Tom - it's time. If you commit to BOFRA, you do so almost at the exclusion of other types of race - for those that have decided fell is their priority that is fine. The FRA Junior Champs, with 6 races gives us a chance to commit to the series, but of course it does not mean we stick to it exclusively.

I think you can see from my approach, that we do other races - Paddy's Pole, Aggie's Staircase, David Staff, Rivington Pike to name a few senior races that Beckie has raced where she's allowed to under the age restrictions - an issue close to your heart.
She would prefer to race "extra" fell in with the Seniors. I also think it makes more sense instead of racing the same people all of the time, week in week out. It is strangely more relaxing - less pressure - taking on seniors as a junior.

Our younger athletes don't have this option, but they do go to other junior races, but individually when it suits, and some like a change, such as the Chorley Park Friday night races.

You can read much of the related comment regarding junior development on this forum and in Fellrunner.

Look at our best International runners - the trials at Keswick were a good example last year. They usually have a varied background. Each athlete and their coach / family have to decide what racing agenda is best for them. I believe it's variety which is why I try to direct my athletes to the FRA Junior Champs and the T&F in the Spring / Summer.
I think all my athletes that ran at Coiners and AW (except those that are too young) will be at the County T&F Champs in Blackpool this weekend.

I belive that will make them better athletes in the longer term, and they will have the option to specialise if they want, later in life.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

Like I said Tom - it's time. If you commit to BOFRA, you do so almost at the exclusion of other types of race - for those that have decided fell is their priority that is fine. The FRA Junior Champs, with 6 races gives us a chance to commit to the series, but of course it does not mean we stick to it exclusively.

I think you can see from my approach, that we do other races - Paddy's Pole, Aggie's Staircase, David Staff, Rivington Pike to name a few senior races that Beckie has raced where she's allowed to under the age restrictions - an issue close to your heart.
She would prefer to race "extra" fell in with the Seniors. I also think it makes more sense instead of racing the same people all of the time, week in week out. It is strangely more relaxing - less pressure - taking on seniors as a junior.

Our younger athletes don't have this option, but they do go to other junior races, but individually when it suits, and some like a change, such as the Chorley Park Friday night races.

You can read much of the related comment regarding junior development on this forum and in Fellrunner.

Look at our best International runners - the trials at Keswick were a good example last year. They usually have a varied background. Each athlete and their coach / family have to decide what racing agenda is best for them. I believe it's variety which is why I try to direct my athletes to the FRA Junior Champs and the T&F in the Spring / Summer.
I think all my athletes that ran at Coiners and AW (except those that are too young) will be at the County T&F Champs in Blackpool this weekend.

I belive that will make them better athletes in the longer term, and they will have the option to specialise if they want, later in life.

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Fair play mate and it works both ways- certain fell juniors refuse to try new races-I always make the effort to stick in a few track and road races through the summer.....Do Blackburn have a junior fell championship that includes non-FRA races?

Must agree with WP, I looked at the calender with my son & we have family hols & other committments, the odd triathlon/swimming gala, school T&F events etc. So 8 BOFRAs wont happen, we can get 5 FRA champs in + a 2 or 3 BOFRAs for fun (not being involved in champ reduces pressure) & Helm Hill have 5 BOFRAs for their junior champs this summer but we cant make all of those either.

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Originally Posted by TurboTom

Fair play mate and it works both ways- certain fell juniors refuse to try new races-I always make the effort to stick in a few track and road races through the summer.....Do Blackburn have a junior fell championship that includes non-FRA races?

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We don't have a junior club championship of any sort if that's what you mean.

The club has "managed" events and I tend to be team manager for most of them. The juniors take part in XC League and Champs, T&F Leagues & Champs and team relays such as the Mansfield XC Relays, NW Road Relays.
The junior fell side of of our club started really with the Searson family - Sally is an U14 now and one of our veterans :) , as the eldest 2 daughters used to run and Beckie and us got asked along to Rivington around 5/6 years ago.
Then we got involved in endurance coaching and have encouraged some juniors to have a go at fell.The FRA Jnr series is perfect as it tends to allow us to also follow a T&F agenda.

Incidentally the Searson's second daughter didn't find endurance running to her liking after about 12 years of age although she had been very good and ran at the Inter Counties XC, but we of course have other options. She's the County's best Hammer thrower now, also very good at Discus and went to the English Schools Champs last year for Hammer.
Variety makes a difference, and sometimes in ways that you could not foresee ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WillMarsh

Why does it always have to be about competition?

BOFRA is a much friendlier, less serious and welcoming atmosphere, where almost everyone knows everyone. It isn't full of people wearing 'coach' jackets from track/cross country clubs. The courses are also far superior and the races take you to some of the finest places in the country.

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I'll second that, there just alot more enjoyable places to be. I see FRA's as having a chance of getting selected for England, they are a more serious event, which is good as its needed at high levels, but i feel it takes some of the enjoyment out of the running them. Like AW, i did this race before it was a championship, and really enjoyed it. But since took over by the Fra its not the same. Anyway its my last year as a junior so non of this will affect me then, senior at last :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FellRunner1

I'll second that, there just alot more enjoyable places to be. I see FRA's as having a chance of getting selected for England, they are a more serious event, which is good as its needed at high levels, but i feel it takes some of the enjoyment out of the running them. Like AW, i did this race before it was a championship, and really enjoyed it. But since took over by the Fra its not the same. Anyway its my last year as a junior so non of this will affect me then, senior at last :D

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Your the lucky one, maybe the AW wont be a champs next year miracles do happen ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

We don't have a junior club championship of any sort if that's what you mean.

The club has "managed" events and I tend to be team manager for most of them. The juniors take part in XC League and Champs, T&F Leagues & Champs and team relays such as the Mansfield XC Relays, NW Road Relays.
The junior fell side of of our club started really with the Searson family - Sally is an U14 now and one of our veterans :) , as the eldest 2 daughters used to run and Beckie and us got asked along to Rivington around 5/6 years ago.
Then we got involved in endurance coaching and have encouraged some juniors to have a go at fell.The FRA Jnr series is perfect as it tends to allow us to also follow a T&F agenda.

Incidentally the Searson's second daughter didn't find endurance running to her liking after about 12 years of age although she had been very good and ran at the Inter Counties XC, but we of course have other options. She's the County's best Hammer thrower now, also very good at Discus and went to the English Schools Champs last year for Hammer.
Variety makes a difference, and sometimes in ways that you could not foresee ;)

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Fair play mate, I have to say Ilike your clubs set-up although not enough for club number 11. :P
See you at Shutlingsloe

Points tables for individuals and clubs, and infant tables after round 4 at Clougha Pike are now available here.
Please email with any queries from the website, rather than post on the forum.

Points tables for individuals and clubs, and infant tables after round 5 at Patterdale are now available here.
There is also a table for the top 3 in each age group in the Uphill Championship with an option to print a certificate.
Please email with any queries from the website, rather than post on the forum.

A reminder that the final round at Darwen on Saturday 21st August carries additional points for the first 3 in each age category.
53 (50) for 1st, 50 (48) for 2nd, and 48 (47) for 3rd. These points are also carried over into the club championship.