Cheats

[PeeJay]

After over 30 years of competing and almost as long organising, I can say that that I have never had occasion to believe that anyone was deliberately cheating (except in relays which I will discount) I’ve known many people take the wrong route/line, haven’t we all, but its invariably by mistake. As far as kit carrying goes, no one particularly likes to carry it, and some dislike it more than others (Mrs PJ for one!) Some runners carry a ridiculous amount of gear with them whilst the majority will just take the essentials.

As an organiser, the last thing I wish to do is lay the law down. I expect runners to use a little common sense and carry what they feel is necessary for themselves, subject to the requirements on the day. One thing that does p… me off however is when runners turn up without kit at any time of the year. Running is all about enjoyment in a relaxed atmosphere and I wouldn’t go down the route of enforced kit checks for the majority of events, but hasten to add there are times when it may be necessary.

Finally I do find the word ‘cheat’ in this context a little harsh, and wanted to clarify that Lloyd did comply with race requirements on the occasion quoted. This is after all a public forum and its not unknown for wrong information to be given.

[IanDarkpeak]

After over 30 years of competing and almost as long organising, I can say that that I have never had occasion to believe that anyone was deliberately cheating (except in relays which I will discount) I’ve known many people take the wrong route/line, haven’t we all, but its invariably by mistake. As far as kit carrying goes, no one particularly likes to carry it, and some dislike it more than others (Mrs PJ for one!) Some runners carry a ridiculous amount of gear with them whilst the majority will just take the essentials.

As an organiser, the last thing I wish to do is lay the law down. I expect runners to use a little common sense and carry what they feel is necessary for themselves, subject to the requirements on the day. One thing that does p… me off however is when runners turn up without kit at any time of the year. Running is all about enjoyment in a relaxed atmosphere and I wouldn’t go down the route of enforced kit checks for the majority of events, but hasten to add there are times when it may be necessary.

Finally I do find the word ‘cheat’ in this context a little harsh, and wanted to clarify that Lloyd did comply with race requirements on the occasion quoted. This is after all a public forum and its not unknown for wrong information to be given.

fair comment PeeJay

However there is a difference between accidentally and delibrately though. thats how I personally feel.

[IanDarkpeak]

Finally I do find the word ‘cheat’ in this context a little harsh, and wanted to clarify that Lloyd did comply with race requirements on the occasion quoted. This is after all a public forum and its not unknown for wrong information to be given.

Thanks for that, I wasn't planning on any finger pointing when I started the thread just a general rant/point, same aplies for Jebby.

[Wheeze]

You enter a race. There is a clear stipulation to carry certain equipment. In writing and verbally. You ingest the information and decide to ignore it.

What is the motivation? Bloody mindedness, ignorance or a desire to achieve an edge over a fellow competitor? Whatever it is, is that really an appropriate attitude to take to a fell race where competition, personal survival and comradely enjoyment of the wild is supposed to take place?

I agree with others. Thats not cheating. Thats being a selfish tw*t.

[TheHeathens]

Running is about enjoying your self and there were times the at the race the other day I wasn't because of the cheats because they p!ss me off. trust would be fine if it wasn't so blatant.

I think you are getting pedantic now with the DNA etc even if it is toungue in cheek.

Of course it was tongue in cheek, but ask yourself why you're really in running:

Is it to challenge yourself and to push yourself or purely to beat others?

If it's the latter, then carry on getting annoyed. If it's the former, I wouldn't let it get to you so much.

[IanDarkpeak]

Of course it was tongue in cheek, but ask yourself why you're really in running:

Is it to challenge yourself and to push yourself or purely to beat others?

If it's the latter, then carry on getting annoyed. If it's the former, I wouldn't let it get to you so much.

Why do those who don't take kit when racing do it. That can't be for the challenge of racing because they are cheating. if it's for hill enjoyment then they can run any where any time.

It's there choice to race as it is mine but on a an eaqual footing

Enough said going out for a run

[FellJunior]

I think (?) we've established that not carrying kit makes very little difference to performance, especially given everyone's different sizes, weights, ability etc. A well designed and packed bum bag shouldn't impede the running mechanism, so what is it that irritates us all? For me it's the safety aspect; a runner with no kit, especially not even brought to the race is saying:

'I'm not self sufficient so if I have to stop, will another runner/marshal/MRT please rescue me',

and conversely,

'I cannot stop to help another runner because without kit I may get hypothermia and again have to be rescued myself'.

Selfish or what?

Following the OMM and to a lesser extent Welsh 1000, the eyes of the irrational media are slowly turning towards us. (let's run a sweepstake on how many inexperienced, ill equipped journalists are going to try and enter this year's OMM!)
The sport doesn't need more rules, but a dose of common sense would help.

[CL]

You sound like Max Mosely now, are you going to limit the amount spent on kit to prevent rich runners from buying ultra-lightweight, but still high quality kit?

I was carrying ultra-lightweight kit, and it weighed about a pound.

To be quite frank having the rules apply what ever the conditions is unreasonable. The FRA in their frustration(at people not carrying kit in cold wet conditions) have said "right let's make them carry kit all the time so we don't have any problems."

So we end up carrying kit on a roasting day, for no reason at all. In fact it could be argued that the extra weight carried, could hasten dehydration by making us sweat faster/longer.

So the rules are present whether I like them or not. Therefore they should be enforced for everyone. Having a Salter scale on a table beside the funnel and then weighing every bum-bag, is a practical way of enforcing them.

"Pop it on the scale mate, right that's ok.....Nexxtttt!


P.s Re F1: I would abolish all the regulations on technology in cars. The sport is corrupt because of them and nothing ever happens........(merry where's that tune again).

[daz h]

I have followed fell runners who have def not carried kit

There are a lot out there who put nowt in it. You can clearly see that to carry full kit your bumbag should be pretty full. In fact i struggle to zip mine up.
You see runners with a pete bland bumbag thats flat, empty.
They are the ones that piss me off.

The saddleworth races had a more strict kit check Ian than at edale.

Personally I know that if i fall even on a hot day i have all my gear and will hopefully be okay until help arrives.

[Fellhound]

As an organiser, the last thing I wish to do is lay the law down. I expect runners to use a little common sense and carry what they feel is necessary for themselves, subject to the requirements on the day. One thing that does p… me off however is when runners turn up without kit at any time of the year. Running is all about enjoyment in a relaxed atmosphere and I wouldn’t go down the route of enforced kit checks for the majority of events, but hasten to add there are times when it may be necessary.

Some good points made on this thread but PeeJay sums up my view. It would be good if all organisers took this approach.

Safety and the fear of litigation are of course prominent in any organiser's mind but lets not forget that this is supposed to be an adventurous sport where we travel light and fast. When the amount of kit stipulated is too much for a PB bumbag then that's not fellrunning in my view.

I am not a cheat - I carry the kit when told to but some races are off the agenda for me simply because the kit requirements are completely OTT... Anyone for a spot of heavily-laden fellwalking...?