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You could say that about any number. I'm thinking of a team of 160 for next year.;) I'll get to win and get automatic entryQuote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
4 is practical, if 2 get injured well tough you'll have to deal with it as the situation allows.
I was just answering your point that 3 is as safe as 4, I don't think it is. But you're right, 5 is probably safer still, and so on. Though at some point, increasing team size probably makes it less safe, due to slowing everyone down.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
OMG we're in! It'll be my first time....yikes!!
do i hear a recce coming on...?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrs Stagger
Yes please, I'm free on Sunday!
Except that safety must be compromised by the last minute team shuffling that always takes place in any event?Quote:
Originally Posted by Toreador
I may not be typical but the first time I did the HPM I joined a team 2 months before to replace an injured team member. Then, just before the event, two more of that team fell out but we fortunately obtained two last minute replacements. No big problems at the HPM itself but one team member did bonk big style going over Bleaklow and really didn't recover until we were on Kinder - maybe he'd been pushed harder than he'd have preferred by joining a hodge podge team? The second time I HPM'd last year, maybe a month before a team leader advertised for replacements for three of his team on the forum and three of us jumped at the chance; then one of our three jumped ship to another team just before the off (you know who you are ;)) meaning that another last minute replacement was found. At the off it was clear that our team had a wide spread in ability and, as it turned out, it was me that played drag anchor to the others all the way round.
Four member teams I appreciate are safer in terms of being able to look out for each other, especially for a team that all know each other and are of similar running ability. That safety though can be compromised by all the team shuffling that always inevitably happens. I suspect that a three member team might be a more stable group to get together and stay together in the first place and would certainly be easier to obtain known replacements for, rather than randoms.
Anyway just a thought. And sorry for dragging my whinge out even further; its just that I only enter a couple of events a year and to fail to get into 50% of them for 2011 is a tad disappointing :)
Well in theory a whole different team could start than the one that was entered.
Has anyone been up near Derwent/Howden/Bleaklow in the last day or so?
I'm thinking of doing a recce run on Saturday, if the snow's not too soft....
Belated reply to Stolly and others to explain event and hopefully relieve some frustration. First it's for teams of 4 because it's always been. Started in 1971 by the University Scout and Guide Association ( now called The High Peak Club) it follows the same format as scout walks ( 4 Inns etc). Interested in your comments about drop outs and safety, I see your point but we won't be changing it. Remember we allow teams to drop out before the event and give them a place for next year (and refund if not) precisely to avoid last minute cobbled together teams. We should advertise this more clearly perhaps.
Regarding the lottery for the first 30+ years it was the normal 'first come first served' on entries. We got the odd complaint from regular teams who weren't quick enough ( including past winners!). Then about 6 years ago we had 10 teams drop out at or before Moscar!! Which was silly. Basically we had a lot of novice teams who had entered quickly and let in because they looked experienced on paper but obviously weren't up to the HPM ( the weather wasn't bad). That was when we decided to do lottery based on past experience. System is each team member gets a ticket for every time they've entered HPM whether successful or not. I've compiled a database going back 10 years. Everyone is in the lottery, we don't actually reserve any places except for top 3 (this accounted for 10 teams this year, but we are thinking of reducing it to top 2). System just gives experienced teams a far greater chance of getting in. Every team gets 2 tickets (works better than just one we found). Teams who have entered 10 times between them get 12 tickets. So you'd have thought impossible for novice teams to get in? Not so! this year we have about 10 lucky novice (or almost novice) teams and of course some unlucky experienced teams. This system seems to produce a fair spread. I have also kept a record of people who keep entering unsuccessfully and we might in future give them a better chance if they continue to be unlucky. You won't be on this list because you got in another team anyway. As I said all entries get a ticket, not just the successful. So keep trying your luck will change, we think it's fair. It was a whole lost easier pre-internet when no-one except a few locals had heard of High Peak Marathon and to get in you had to know someone who knew someone etc.
Thanks filthy rich :)