UK Athletics affiliation

[XRunner]

The claim of "governing" bodies to have authority to "permit" an enthusiast to organise a fell race is breathtaking. They have no conceivable authority to deny such an enthusiast permission to organise his race! We should stop using the term "permit". A "governing body" only has authority to govern those who choose to be governed by them. I choose not to be! They bestow their "permits" to suit their own priorities, not those of the race organiser.

99% of us don’t need a governing body. We need a sympathetic supporting association like the FRA should be when it frees itself from UK Athletics interference. Those of us who value the lack of bureaucracy that is the traditional basis of British Fell Running should raise two fingers to any governing body that threatens our simple traditions.

You are correct! There is no legislation that requires a race organiser to obtain a permit.

The governing bodies do have the authority to deny a permit to a race oganiser. However this does not prevent the organiser going ahead with his event.

Examples of this occur in fell running e.g if the FRA do not consider that the event is really a fell race or, more disturbingly, if they want to promote their own event without interference from any other events (and this has occurred a few years ago!).

However the recent plethora of small organisations who want to take your money and claim to represent their athletes does create some very disturbing trends. For example:

1. Who determines the Rules of Competition?
2. Who sets the standards for events?
3. Who determines the discipline required to prevent cheating?
4. Who organises the British of English championships?
5. Who selects athletes to represent their country?
6. Who should accept responsibilty for the development of the sport?

If your Club chooses to affiliate to another organisation, make sure you check that this new governing body has the capability and structure to manage your sport.