Quote Originally Posted by peateater View Post
I've watched this tortuous debate for a long time now and hoped against hope that the amended rules would help to genuinely increase the safety of the sport without compromising the absolute right of fell runners to make intelligent choices about their own safety. Sadly, this has not happened.
As an experienced fell runner and mountaineer (and rescuer), I will soon lose the right to make decisions about my own welfare: Even if it's a record heat wave, I can't chose to use pertex kit on A/ long B races, or take off my vest if I overheat, In winter I'll have to queue to unzip my top at busy, freezing checkpoints, instead of wearing my number on my shorts as I believe it is safer. These may not sound huge issues to some, but to me they are fundamental freedoms that are part of our wonderful sport. The statement near the start of the FRA safety rules draft - The philosophy of fell running is that it is the competitor, him or herself, who is primarily responsible for their own safety whilst competing. seems completely at odds with this arrogant decision to remove our ability to take responsibility for ourselves. Sadly, If I have my right to make choices as an informed adult removed in this way, I just can't see any way of continuing to compete in FRA races in future.

If you had tried to record numbers at the 3 Shires race this year, as I did, you would be aware that it is very difficult indeed to read numbers on shorts, they are invariably folded small and on the wrong leg when approaching. The effect of this is to make it hard to read the next persons number. That person is unlikely to want to slow down, so it is more likely to misread, or entirely miss that number. The following person then has their number obscured by their rucksack straps - that's another missed person. Just think how many problems of accounting for who has been through the checkpoint that all this causes.

I think that this shows that you are NOT an informed adult, so perhaps making it clear where you should have your number is a good thing.