Originally Posted by
Lefty
The FRA disciplinary sub committee have decided on a 6 month ban, expiring on 2 May 2014, on Richard Wells, unattached, for failing to report to the finish at the 3 Shires race having retired earlier in the race. Race organisers are asked to note this decision.
‘Race retirement - runners – please read.
You are all keyed up at the start of a race and the organiser starts wittering on about retirements and the need to report in at the end if you drop out. Later you are injured or timed out, you’re possibly cold and probably for the first time. The checkpoint marshal knows you are out of the race and you make your way back to the finish.
You forget to tell the organiser you have retired as you want to get changed and get warm.
The organiser is rushing round getting increasingly worried that the number of runners back doesn't add up and knowing that his/her responsibility is to account for all runners at the finish.
Where are you? Sat in your car having a coffee or the pub with your club mates.
Recently the FRA has investigated a similar situation after the 3 Shires race where, unusually 38, runners retired or were timed out in bad weather with 4 runners failing to report to the race organiser.
Selwyn Wright and his team had enough to do without trying to find the whereabouts of the missing runners.
In this case 3 of the runners were very contrite; holding their hands up. They messed up. The race organiser and the FRA committee members investigating the issue have decided not to take any further action in relation to them; this time.
However Selwyn and the committee members involved do want all runners to know that the requirement to report to the race organiser if you drop out is mandatory; no if’s and but’s.
Missing runners can lead to mountain rescue being called out; marshal’s unable to stand down and frantic race organisers.
So please, if you drop out of a race, let the organiser know; if your club mate drops out make sure that they report in at the finish. You know it makes sense. You could be injured on the fells whilst Mountain rescue is out looking for a runner who is driving down the M6.
Nick Harris, Secretary
Will the 'new rules ' help to focus runners minds or do some of them even know there are certain rules which must be obeyed. I await your reply Al.
