Quote Originally Posted by Witton Park View Post
Gazmuz - you raise some relevant points, some of which were raised last year, so let me try to be of help.

The FRA Jnrs were in a little bit of a predicament. The international committee has wrongly assumed that Coiners would still be available as a trial race and so fairly late in the process they piggy-backed Cowpe and I personally agree with you that Cowpe wasn't an ideal location for the trial as the terrain is typically rugged Pennine and not representative of European Mountain running.
I'm not a selector, but having seen the Cowpe results last year it was clear that they would have a problem.
The ages for last year were born 95 or 96.
Looking at the Boys - I think of the top 8 at Cowpe only 2 were eligible.
Looking at the Girls - the 1st eligible girl more than 6 minutes behind Annabel and they would have had to select someone around 10 minutes off the pace to take 3 that fitted the age rules.
This wasn't the first time as it happened at Coiners years ago when my daughter was too young as was Mel Hyder and Laura Riches, they only took 2 girls.

I went to Cowpe and without wanting to go over old ground, the terrain was actually quite OK, but perhaps the routes needed a little tweaking and the management of the start/finish areas in particular. But I think the ROs accepted the largely constructive comments that were given at the time and I am sure the race will be a great event this year.

Ref the Facebook quote, just remember you are quoting someone off FB that is drumming up interest in the race and so I think you have to cut them a bit of slack. I reckon the terrain down there is fantastic for junior fell - very similar to the Howgills - so I expect lots of happy young athletes coming away afterwards.
Re Cowpe.....the start finish area is different this year and much improved, as agreed last years start finish wasn't ideal. The start finish area is now right behind the Church Hall ( registration ) as are the portaloos etc so its much more compact. The under 8s under and under 10s courses are completely different whilst the other age group are changed for the out and back with some further alterations. Beware though its straight into the tough climb right from the start. Details of Travel etc can be found on the Rossendale Harriers website on the Juniors page and I am in the process of sorting out the maps which should appear in the same place this next week......and we should have tea and cakes. !!!!!