what punishment?

Fell races are, on the whole, entirely wonderful events because of their low key nature in wonderful scenery and running with like minded folks. Of course, for this to work, we all need to stick to the spirit and pay due respect to the organisers. Below, I have copied a redacted statement regarding a current transgression by a couple of runners. I was struck by the blatant and belligerent abuse of the race organisation by the individuals. Of course one might get peeved at being pulled from a race but to do what they did then beggers my belief.
What kind of sanction do folks think is appropriate for such behaviour and attitude?

Following the recent running of the XX race at X, reports were received from the race organiser, and others, regarding a blatant and deliberate breach of the safety rules.
This refers to two individuals.
It was noted at the start line that they were without kit, and as such they were withdrawn from the race and their race numbers were returned. They then chose to re-join the field without the organiser being aware, completing the course and finishing by entering the finish funnel, resulting in their being timed and counted, which served to cause confusion as to the number of finishers. This created a safety risk, due to the organiser being unsure of the exact number of finishers and who was safely off the mountain.

The permitting authority has already applied a sanction so any discussion here cannot influence matters. I'm just interested in what people think is a reasonable sanction?

a lot more than they got!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Wheeze

Fell races are, on the whole, entirely wonderful events because of their low key nature in wonderful scenery and running with like minded folks. Of course, for this to work, we all need to stick to the spirit and pay due respect to the organisers. Below, I have copied a redacted statement regarding a current transgression by a couple of runners. I was struck by the blatant and belligerent abuse of the race organisation by the individuals. Of course one might get peeved at being pulled from a race but to do what they did then beggers my belief.
What kind of sanction do folks think is appropriate for such behaviour and attitude?

Following the recent running of the XX race at X, reports were received from the race organiser, and others, regarding a blatant and deliberate breach of the safety rules.
This refers to two individuals.
It was noted at the start line that they were without kit, and as such they were withdrawn from the race and their race numbers were returned. They then chose to re-join the field without the organiser being aware, completing the course and finishing by entering the finish funnel, resulting in their being timed and counted, which served to cause confusion as to the number of finishers. This created a safety risk, due to the organiser being unsure of the exact number of finishers and who was safely off the mountain.

The permitting authority has already applied a sanction so any discussion here cannot influence matters. I'm just interested in what people think is a reasonable sanction?

---

Burnt alive, hanged, drawn and quartered and their bits then buried in quicklime - and banned from FRA races for 6 months.

Only 6 months????

The website still says 'No reported disciplinary matters', name and shame I say!

I agree👍

Feel free to report to FRA disciplinary...they will investigate and decide on a suitable punishment...not sure hung drawn and quartered is with in there remit though

How about enforced road running every weekend for a year?

Piss enough organisers off and there is no sport. Ban for at least a year I say.

Bigfella, the website only refers to eFRA!
As I said, the appropriate authority has already meted out punishment. I must admit, I lean towards Navigators view.
They got a 3 month ban. My feeling is they got off lightly.

Another point for discussion. If I was the RO, irrespective of the punishment meted out by the permitting authority, I would permanently ban them from any race I was putting. We can do without kn*bheads like this.

I'm assuming, possibly wrongly, that this was a WFRA race so only banned in those races at the moment.

I blame facebook for attracting the 'wrong sort' to fell running.

Quote:

---

I blame facebook for attracting the 'wrong sort' to fell running.

---

they'll be wanting to use GPS to nav next! ;)

What punishment? 3 hour lecture from Breezey. After that they'll be banning themselves from fell running for more than a year.

If anyone is interested their names are on the report in the WFRA May newsletter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FellJunior

An open statement to the perpetrators:
As a one time tail end participant in fell races, let me spell out the potential consequences of your actions.

I start an AL race, but take a tumble in a remote part of the course, while in last but one place and am immobilised. Fortunately, the final competitor stops to help me. Meanwhile the RO counts back in, all the genuine starters plus you. The totals and other basic checks agree and the RO carries out the prize giving, tidies up race HQ, etc..

Much, much later as the RO gets ready to leave the venue he notices two cars left in the field, and realises there is a problem. By now it is dusk, getting cold, and too late to mount an effective search.

On 1st May a fell runner attempting to complete a Bob Graham round did not survive his night on the fells. It is no exaggeration to state that your actions have put other people's lives at risk. I have nothing but utter contempt for you.

---

I can of course see the point you are making - but a satisfactory "total" is not good enough - each and every runner needs to be cross referenced at the finish to ensure he/she has been accounted for. It is so easy for a total to be miscounted.

Utter contempt is something easily engendered by something like this. Sad fact is, anyone who can act in this way is probably too self centered to be bothered by contempt. Removing them from the sport is the only way to prevent a recurrence.

What I really struggle with is why they chose to run through the funnel. I mean what did they hope to gain??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by FellJunior

Yes Mike, there are several other techniques, e.g. race number matrix, which must be employed to ensure all competitors are accounted for. I process results for many races each year amounting to some 2500 competitors, and provide various controls for both the start and finish. For example, as used at the Todd Crag Junior Championship race hosted by your club. However, to go into details detracts from my point that it only takes one, or in this case, two idiots to undermine the best efforts of the RO and his team to look after their competitors.

---

In your scenario, despite the "matching" totals, the cross referencing system in use would have told the RO that 2 runners were still on the fell, and exactly who they were. This is absolutely crucial - sorry again to stress the point in this context.
I do not know all the facts here but if they only got a 3 month ban I think they they got off very lightly.

It has been made clear that my scenario above could not possibly happen, and therefore my point is invalid and has no merit. I withdraw my statement (now deleted).

5,000 laps of Skipton parkrun course (I’ve just done four this morning) and then forced to read alwaysinjured’s post on here in the entirety without skipping anything

Q: Can RO’s van individuals from their event(s) irrespective of controlling body’s findings?

Should be a lifetime ban

Yes, under WFRA rules, race organisers are aware that no one has an absolute right to enter a race and can refuse entry to anyone. The race organiser in question is well within his rights to ban these individuals from all future races he organises.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andy Blackmore

Yes, under WFRA rules, race organisers are aware that no one has an absolute right to enter a race and can refuse entry to anyone. The race organiser in question is well within his rights to ban these individuals from all future races he organises.

---

as can any RO..its his/her race not the governing body..