Quote Originally Posted by DrPatrickBarry View Post
Iain, Is it just a case of the small population. In Ireland (with a bigger population than wales) outside of the summer Leinster League that gets 150 odd per race - 40 runners would be a pretty typical turnout. It is the norm over there and they just accept it.
I don't think so, we have millions, literally, within a few hours, sheffield runners regularly race in the lakes, less often in Snowdonia..

Irelands much more geographically isolated. A few races, e.g. Cader and Wyddfa are rightfully classics, then we have the strangely popular Pen Race, but then our other classics, which should stand up there with the best lakes races just don't get the numbers.

I think thats partly due to fixture clashes, changing race dates, changing routes and shortening routes. The races which are always the same weekend of the same month, the same route, rarely shortened seem to get decent numbers.. e.g. Cader, Moel Eilio, Moelwyns..

The Peris date jumps around each year, a fair few in the field were unhappy this last year, people did travel for it, so I think that affects its popularity. the guy who came 3rd, came down from Northumberland, and he was also unhappy. In fact I only knew one of the top 3, some road runner.. who agreed with it being shortened..