http://www.thisonecounts.co.uk/nitronorth.htm
Always interested to see new races, especially local ones. Night trail racing seems interesting and newly challenging, and although this is expensive compared to your normal fell race, I'll give it a go.
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http://www.thisonecounts.co.uk/nitronorth.htm
Always interested to see new races, especially local ones. Night trail racing seems interesting and newly challenging, and although this is expensive compared to your normal fell race, I'll give it a go.
There's talk of a "Race Director", but no actual name is given for the R.O.? All seems a bit clandestine; some faceless, commercial/profiteering "racing company" muscling in on Welsh Harrier's patch? Come on Martin, sort 'em out!!:w00t:
I love Martin's races and have done nearly all of them since he started them. I don't think I'd place this race in the same category as Martin's midweek classics, which for me are the essence of summer and I'm always sad after the GGGOH each year as it feels then like summer is over. I don't think this threatens Martin's races at all.
It is, however, a bit different and worth a go. I like that someone has taken a punt at doing a nighttime race here (to add to Ben's races at Llandegla). Do we claim ownership of areas now as ROs? Of course not, and I can't imagine Martin doing that!
I'll do the race and then form a view. It's always good to see a new race and I don't really care who organises it.
Wow, 15 squid? Missed a trick with my 'Dark Un'. Still, it's a nice website...
Jamie Evans & Graeme Corlett.Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
http://www.thisonecounts.co.uk/aboutus.htm
£15 though :closed: , I'm out.
£15 for a 6Km race is too expensive - I'll not be going.
I agree ST - good luck to them! I'd be interested in feedback - I'd go and have a look but I'm up in Newcastle on Saturday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Smith
(PS Not sure about £17 on the day! You can run a 26 mile race over the Clwydians on 31st March for £12 - and this is a fundraising event!)
(PPS We now charge £4 for all our races apart from The Jubilee Plunge which is £1 and we've raised £1000's for local hospices over the years.)
It is pricey, and I'll explore that with the ROs if i get a chance.
Surely the £1 for the jubilee plunge has to be the best bargain in fell running! £4 is a steal as well for the clywdian trots - really looking forward to them this year.
I'll let you know how it goes WH :)
Unfortunately its getting pricey.. over here in the states £80-130 isn't uncommon and there's very few races under $30...Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Smith
Its a joke.. I don't mind £30 for a marathon or the odd major race but this price is just incredible.. Compare that with races like the Trunce
The only way to stop it is not support them and support the value for money races. I've done a few I thought were too expensive so won't do again. For example £5 to run 4 laps of the cricket pitches at that deeside grand prix.. an absolute classic of a race...
I don't see how a race is someone's turf though... The more race organisers the more sustainable a sport will be.
I'll be avoiding it for ideological reasons. The dirty hand of commerce is upon us.
[QUOTE=IainR;471191]Unfortunately its getting pricey.. over here in the states £80-130 isn't uncommon and there's very few races under $30...
Its a joke.. I don't mind £30 for a marathon or the odd major race but this price is just incredible.. Compare that with races like the Trunce
The only way to stop it is not support them and support the value for money races. I've done a few I thought were too expensive so won't do again. For example £5 to run 4 laps of the cricket pitches at that deeside grand prix.. an absolute classic of a race...
I don't see how a race is someone's turf though... The more race organisers the more sustainable a sport will be.[/QUOTE]
Dear All,
It was purely a jovial dig, an acknowledgement that Martin, as much if not more so than anyone else, appears to have raised the profile of hill / offroad running in the Clwydians ( directly outside his own back door) with many excellent routes at knock-down prices .... something that might be heeded by these new venturers!
It's a piss take.
You'd run all 10 of the Eryri tuesday night races for less than that price - £15.
Plus at 1830 it won't even be that dark.
Hopefully no one turns up - though I'm sure some numpty will decide to do it in place of spending 50p to do one of the Dash in the Darks!
Agreed, he's a legend in these parts and ought to be the go to person for anyone wishing to organise a race in these great little hills.Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
I'm naturally nosey and intrigued as to what this new race entails, so will go and take a look. It's my money so will take a hit, in the name of research! I am hoping to talk to the RO/s to see where they are coming from. I think I'll form a view after that. I believe that it's always best to deal in knowledge, rather than opinion - which i don't think makes me a numpty :)
Will gladly feed back what I find!
Forgive me if I've got the wrong end of the stick, Iain, but £4 per race pre-entry or £12 for the four-race series this year - hardly breaks the bank?! I suspect a wilful shortening of the route in your course description too :rolleyes: - I seem to remember not only fast running on fields, but also hard tracks and woods. Undeniably flat, yes, but fast and competitive - good summer cross-country training (and no, I'm not a Deestrider...)Quote:
Originally Posted by IainR
Feedback will be good, the same organisation are also putting on a 10k route in Anglesey in May
Er,mm not sure..Quote:
Originally Posted by downhillracer
Anyway I'm not against professional race organisers... What I am against is not getting value for money...
Look at the ultra scene.. huge fees, comparable to the UTMB but the UTMB is worth the money for me. I don't think many of the others aren't.
We make money out of running, doing the guiding work, but we have no complaints.. well as far as I know.. we charge comparable rates to climbing guides, have a regular client base etc.. so its hypocritical to criticise people wanting to make money...
I just don't think many of these races charging big money are providing comparable value for money to the European even US races. But i also think too many inexperienced runners are realising their is a quick buck to me made and stepping across, so haven't raced enough to realise what value for money is and how races in other parts of the world are organised.
Did you go along Mark? Any feedback?
I noticed lots of mine tape & route signs this morning.
I did turn up and run - it was very interesting!
There's two questions really - 1) was the race any good? and 2) was it worth £15?.
The race was actually really good. The route was interesting, and despite the many twists and turns in the route, i never wondered whether I was on the right route. Given that it was dark, it was necessary that the route be well signed, and the small, reflective arrows worked well. It meant that this was a marked trail run rather than a fell race, but it wasn't marketed as a fell race. I enjoyed the run, and the important things (safety, clarity and certainty of route, interesting route) were done well. If it was half the price, it would have been perfect for me as a fellrunner - and there's the rub.
This is not an event designed for fell runners. It;s not aimed at them. What I found when I arrived was a lot of branding (own event and sponsors such as High5, Buf etc), music blaring out and lots of families. The adults race was preceded by a kids race which was, if anything, the main event. The kids loved it and in these days of health and safety, it was good to see them charging about the woods and trails with head torches glaring out. The music irritated me, but the atmosphere did not. It looked like a lot of fun. I asked the RO about what they were about and they are a company that are trying to work with schools to gets kids into the outdoors and adventure racing. They are trying to fill the same space as Scouting, but working more directly with schools - this is their stock in trade. Trail races are a way of growing their brand. There were also links to local charities, which accounted for some of the entry fee.
I'm glad I found out more, because my instinctive view is that this was a bit 'commercial' for me, and it remains so (I prefer Martin's classics but that's because I'm a fellrunner). If this was an attempt to get into a fell running market, then I;d say it was wide of the mark. But this, to me, was a well organised and well run event that was part of a wider offering which might end up doing some good if they can work with schools to get more people outdoors and active.
As a running experience, the darkness aspect was great and they got the racing bits bang on. As an event, it appealed more to the adventure racing/hellrunner types (most of the runners were from those sports/followings). The field was a few dozen and not the highest standard (I was third for crying out loud!). But it was exhilarating to tear down a rough track in the dark trying to catch someone. Knowing what you can get for £4, £15 seemed steep, despite all of the above.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that it is a well run event, a good race and an interesting experience. But it's not a fell race.
Mark, That comes across as a very even-handed praesis of the event. Although I was not present, I feel that I'm getting a very real grasp of the occasion. You are virtually writing what I was thinking but no doubt expressed very badly, in Post #2 of this thread.
Ian.
Just out of interest, (nsmo)FR, what time were you out there this morning? I would have thought that a slick, professional organising team might have gathered the signage in directly after the event?Quote:
Originally Posted by (notsomuchofa)Fellrunner
In response to the artist formerly known as Swiss Toni!!
Sounds like it was great judging form your feedback. You could be a Mystery Shopper for unknown races. Quite frankly I've no grouse with other people organising events round here, there's room for everybody for goodness sake - I ran from Prestatyn to Llangynhafal on Friday evening on the Offa's Dyke Path and I saw two walkers - that's all!! What I think is particularly brilliant is the involvement of junior competitors. I shall look forward to further feedback, photos, etc!
As long as the organisers get everything right as far as the safety of their competitors is concerned then they should be encouraged in my book. I do however need to comment about the race at the end of the month. The Excalibur website has stated that their race is run according to WFRA guidelines and in fact, sensibly, they have pointed out that runners should carry full kit, etc. I need to point out that this event is not insured through WFRA, it's a great idea for an event on what might seem like comparatively benign terrain for a 26 mile event. The forecast looks OK but I've cancelled the Llangynhafal Loop at this time of year due to adverse weather - I wish them all the best on the day!!
Hi WH - i don't think the same ppl are organising the Excalibur, but i take your point. I remember Edale being warm one year and arctic the next and that's 2 weeks away. A few of our club are doing the Excalibur - be interested to get feedback. I was tempted myself.
I set off at 0730. The signage was still there at 1130, but the organisers did have their tastefully liveried 4*4 in the carpark & I assume they were clearing up.Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
Interesting that you comment about clearing up after the race. I ran 15 miles along the Anglesey Coastal path from Amlwch to Cemaes Bay and back about a month ago and was dismayed to see dozens of pieces of 'Buff' logo-ed plastic tape still attatched to the fence along a beautiful section of otherwise pristine and litter-free coastal path. It was from the Cemaes to Bull Bay race that the same company organised on the 3rd of December last year and had not been cleared away (this was mid February), this is not a particularly useful addition to the race-organising fraternity and is likely to incur the wrath and displeasure of the locals and ramblers alike. Opposition to races can be forthcoming enough without actively giving people a reason to object.
I did take the time to ring the RO and ask him if they were aware of the tape and he expressed concern and promised it'd be removed pronto. I haven't been over there to check but hope that they're true to their words. There's no real excuse for it.
p.s. I hope the Excalibur isn't 'Arctic', personally I'm hoping for a nice warm spring day!!!
:D
That's good Mark..
I did a half marathon this weekend.. $90 which is ~ £55...
Awful..
1. No toilets at the start, supposedly the company delivering screwed up but we had 2 toilets for 1000 runners..
2. Awful course, there were a few hills but just lots of tight turns, running down alleyways, just a very artificial and created route.. seemed no logic to the course.. lots of narrow sections, obstacles to pass over..
3. Course poorly marked.. you'd run for a long way seeing no signs, Y juntions not marked.. I did a 1.15 mile between 2 mile markers at one bit, plus was sent the wrong way by a marshall.. a copper.. even the lead bikes got lost.. all the top 10 got lost..
4. No prizes.. well a shitty piece of leather.. 1000 runners.. $80-100 entry fees depending when you entered, so $100,000 in race entry fees.. Liverpool half is £400 for the winner.. I think generally your prize for top 3 should exceed the entry fee.. so a bottle of wine for the usual fell race is plenty.. I was third and won by age category and got sod all.. road running isn't cheap, 350 miles a month = a pair of trainers a month..
5. Just not value for money.. it just screamed of commercial event organisation by someone who had little experience of running or at least racing at the sharp end.. I was third regardless of the issues, in fact I'd have probably finished 4th as the guy with got fed up and quit.. but I could have ran sub 1:15 (I ended up with 1:18), and can be qualification for other races..
6. Calling Texan police effing texans isn't well recieved...
Maybe we'll see more of these events organised purely to make money, but I'll never do another race by that RO.. I've no issues with proffessional race organisers.. but it should be a professional race.. I wrote in to give my views, as it was the first running of the event,and had no reply.. When its so expensive you buy a service and that service fell short this weekend..
They seemed more intent on getting the starting Prayer said than organising a good race.. people were literally welling up when the anthem was sung at the Alamo.. Supposedly God enables us to run the race we run.. maybe that's why they are so awful at running.. training to run better versus praying to run better...
It's the first time someone has come up to me and asked could they pray for me.. then said a long prayer why you are standing ready to start.. what's wrong with the usual post race bullshitting.. 'I'm injured.. not run for months.. if I finish I'll be happy'...
Just thought id comment on this to,i came 2nd in the nitro north race got really dark at the top but was luckily a clear day!,as it was my 3rd race overall i didn`t mind the price,i even made £20.
i dont think it was advertised enough,needless to say my heart was pounding so loud that i think the vale of clwyd would of heard it at the thought of leading the runners up to the summit and coming 1st place until i was just overtaken and put into 2nd.
i consider it my first fell race even though its marketed as a trail race.i found martins loop alot harder and more enjoyable though,i might be wrong to but im sure there is a race called hot foot up moel famue which does the same route as nitro north but about £12 cheaper! :O
Hi JWM
As the guy that was 3rd who trailed in your wake, i can say that i couldn't hear your heart pounding for the sound of my gasping and choking!
The hotfoot up famau is a very different outing - starts at the top car park and after a short rise, descends, climbs, descends, climbs again via the gully and then a fast descent down the motorway to the end. It is 12 quid cheaper and much more like a typical fell race. It's a different route completely, just one short section of path from the top of MF is the same
Mark
Hi mark!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Smith
i could see your light getting closer and closer! tense moment ha
i had a read of your comments and couldn`t help but laugh,you are 100% about the competition,they were made up of the penny lane striders and other non mountain runners! il have to give that hot foot a go,sounds like a good run!
the look on your face at the end is priceless to! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater
-john
Not the best pic of me ever taken that's for sure!
See you at HUF if i can get out of work commitments that week.
Here's another not inexpensive race up Moel Famau!
http://www.eventswithadventure.com/events/fell-hell/
Quote: "Fell Hell will certainly deliver a challenge and we highly recommend you accept it. This is a timed event and prizes will be presented to the 1st Male and 1st Female."
Entry is £16 but -
Quote: "ENTER NOW BEFORE PRICE INCREASE
Must be a different target audience!
Welsh Harrier
http://travellinglightatsixtyplus.blogspot.com/
Beggars belief; when you look at the prize list that Kieran Carr had on offer at yesterday's Full Tour of Pendle ( 16+miles / 4500' ) for £7.
I generally live by a "live & let live" attitude; but these grasping Johnny come-latelies who are commercialising our open spaces really do need nipping in the bud. It makes you wonder just how much they are paying to "rent" the hill for the day?
The tight gits, £16 entry and 2nd, 3rd and not to mention the vets don't get prizes!?Quote:
Originally Posted by Welsh Harrier
The past few races I've done (Arnside Knott, Really Wild Boar and Gt Whernside) have all cost around £5 to enter and had plentiful prizes not just for the top three but spot prizes as well (or the top 10 finishers in the case of Gt Whernside).