ARC (Freedom to Run)

[Dreaded Jeff]

Hello all,

Apologies for rehashing any old news, but I couldn't find an earlier thread.

I understand where I stand as a runner signing up for FRA/BOFRA/UKA races, but have come across a race which is declaring itself "ARC Registered". I have done a bit of googling and opened Pandora's box, but very little up to date information.

Are there any issues with ARC that I would need to know? Am I going to get grief from UKA for running one of their races? Are they, as George Clooney once said "Bona Fide"?

Any info would be appreciated,

Thanks,

Jeff

[Fat Bloke]

Association of Running Clubs. It gained popularity a number of years ago as a kind of anti-UKA reaction, I think. A number of clubs affiliated to both ARC and UKA.

Link:- http://www.runningclubs.org.uk/

and here's from the FAQs:-

Q. Will members of UK Athletics clubs who enter ARC permit races be banned, as stated in UKA Rules?
A. This Rule has never been enforced in the past and the Chairman of England Athletics has gone on record to the effect that there is no question of it being enforced.

[MargC]

Hello all,

Apologies for rehashing any old news, but I couldn't find an earlier thread.

I understand where I stand as a runner signing up for FRA/BOFRA/UKA races, but have come across a race which is declaring itself "ARC Registered". I have done a bit of googling and opened Pandora's box, but very little up to date information.

Are there any issues with ARC that I would need to know? Am I going to get grief from UKA for running one of their races? Are they, as George Clooney once said "Bona Fide"?

Any info would be appreciated,

Thanks,

Jeff

ARC http://www.runningclubs.org.uk/ was set up about 7 years ago as an organisation independent of UKA to which clubs can affiliate and which provides "Permits"/registration/insurance for races of all types. It appears to have registered about 350 races in 2014. I would expect most of these to be road races with smaller numbers of cross country and trail and very few fell races. Its Rules for Competition and Safety Requirements for fell races are based on previous versions of the FRA ones.

When I was the FRA Fixtures Secretary I was aware of one ARC permitted fell race which was included in the FRA Calendar as an advert ie without an FRA Permit/insurance.

As a competitor I wouldn't have any reservations about running in an ARC permitted/registered/insured fell race. From what you say I assume you run in BOFRA races - they are also independent of UKA!

If I organised a fell race I would probably prefer to register/insure it with a specialist fell running body such as FRA/UKA, SHR or WFRA the latter two being organisations independent of UKA.

[Richard Head]

Hello all,

Apologies for rehashing any old news, but I couldn't find an earlier thread.

I understand where I stand as a runner signing up for FRA/BOFRA/UKA races, but have come across a race which is declaring itself "ARC Registered". I have done a bit of googling and opened Pandora's box, but very little up to date information.

Are there any issues with ARC that I would need to know? Am I going to get grief from UKA for running one of their races? Are they, as George Clooney once said "Bona Fide"?

Any info would be appreciated,

Thanks,

Jeff

Doesn't bother me much but I don't think times from ARC races are put on Power of 10, don't know of any other issues

[Richard Head]

When I was the FRA Fixtures Secretary I was aware of one ARC permitted fell race which was included in the FRA Calendar as an advert ie without an FRA Permit/insurance.

In the present climate the FRA would feel obliged to remove this race from the Calendar

[Graham Breeze]

In the present climate the FRA would feel obliged to remove this race from the Calendar

Not necessarily.

The issue for the FRA over races like Pendle Cloughs is where a RO registers his race, agrees to comply with FRA safety requirements, receives FRA Insurance, gets the race listed in the FRA Calendar so all 7000+ members are aware of its status ...and THEN deregisters.

Once that has happened the FRA has no influence on anything the RO does and the FRA Committee is misleading its members by listing a race in the FRA Calendar as FRA registered; when it is not.

[bigfella]

So simply amend the calendar entry to reflect the new status although the calendar page doesn't seem to have the (R) tag for FRA registered races (although it is on the details page) but the country is listed (presumably Scotland, Wales and Ireland are not FRA) and some races say England - Not FRA.

[Witton Park]

Not necessarily.

The issue for the FRA over races like Pendle Cloughs is where a RO registers his race, agrees to comply with FRA safety requirements, receives FRA Insurance, gets the race listed in the FRA Calendar so all 7000+ members are aware of its status ...and THEN deregisters.

Once that has happened the FRA has no influence on anything the RO does and the FRA Committee is misleading its members by listing a race in the FRA Calendar as FRA registered; when it is not.

Actually - no RO knew what they were signing up for.

We were all asked to sign up to a RO pack based on a draft that had been discredited in order that the FRA could get the calendar out on time.

It was made clear at the time that ROs would have the option to withdraw from FRA cover if they felt unable to accept the final pack.

It wasn't made clear that should any RO withdraw due to this, that the FRA would withdraw their listing from the website.
Why would an RO think that. There were other non FRA races in the listings and the ROs were all doing this to try and help out the FRA Committee who had made a complete dog's breakfast of the whole procedure.

If it had been made clear, Pendle Cloughs and other races may have held back, not registered, covered by other means and then (how ridiculous) would have been been accepted.

How strange - and yet more back of fag packet management Graham.

[Witton Park]

Just in case this has been conveniently forgotten. This was letter from the FRA and the relevant section.

Nick Harris
8 Hardman Close
Rossendale BB47DL
07956344174
[email protected]
22.10.13
Dear race organiser,
Race registration 2014 and revision to the safety guidance.
We thought we should give you an update on the race registration for races in 2014 and progress on gaining final agreement to the revised safety guidance.
5. We accept that some race organisers have concerns about registering without knowing the final details of the safety guidance. If you are one of these race organisers can we ask that you register by the closing date of 31st Oct. as you will be able to withdraw your registration at a later date. However entry in the handbook is only guaranteed if you have entered by the closing date, which is not being changed. This is to ensure that we can get out a printed calendar to the members, as usual, and before the 2014 races start.
Best wishes,

Nick Harris
Secretary FRA on behalf of the FRA Safety and equipment sub committee
cc. Other members of the FRA committee; UKA and other registering authorities
Copy to be posted on the FRA website.

At no point does it say you will be able to withdraw at a later date but that will also mean withdrawal from the FRA Events listings. In fact it infers that if you do as the FRA would wish you to do and register before the deadline, you have a guarantee of inclusion.

[Dreaded Jeff]

Thanks everyone,

I'm still not sure about the race, it does seem a touch 'disorganised', but at least I know that the decision is still mine. I'll probably rock up on the day, have a look at them and make my mind up there and then...