LDWA events

[dobster]

Thanks first of all to John for organising the event over the years, although I was only lucky enough to run three of the events. It seems a shame after the 18th and possibly final run that it had descended into an accusation forum of who has and has not taken which route.

We all know it is wrong to test the will and good nature of landowners by running over private land trespassing and sadly this affects the future of events like this nationwide.

As a higher placed runner though I find it a bit of a sweeping accusation that I may have avoided the final river section, which detracts from the hard miles my race partner and I put in.

Thanks again to all those who helped make it a great day.

[Derby Tup]

I do a fair number of LDWA events and love the informal fun nature of them. Folk taking shortcuts is a little sad (I have seen it several times and had runners leave a checkpoint behind me to find them at the next without passing). Trespassing on private land is wrong; end of!

It makes me smile when people describe these challenge events as races and even mention pb's! Running along the road at Barden to save a minute or two really makes me wonder if the people involved actually 'get' the idea of the event

[Trimm Trab]

Just had a thought - does the fact that John's not going to be organising the TT anymore mean that the Burley Bridge Hike will also be coming to an end? That would be a right stinker - two popular Wharfedale events out of the calendar. I'd be happy to help with the organisation of either to keep them going, but don't think I could take on the whole thing (and I'd still want to run!)

Anyhow, next LDWA thing for me is the Lake, Ridge and Wainwright thing in April, which makes the route of the intervening Edale Skyline look a bit tame

[Stolly]

Hehe, and there was me thinking of 'adding' a scoot up and down Simon's Seat had I run it

(To be honest its a travesty that the route that seems to run under SS's nose doesn't go up there in the first place)

[Mr1470]

I can't believe some of the discussion going on on this thread And we wonder why some of the LDWA folk don't like the fact that runners have started entering "their" events!!

i) It's NOT a race! They are "challenge events". The challenge is to complete a certain distance within a certain time limit. If someone finishes in 4 hours, he/she has done no better than someone who finishes 1 minute under the limit - both have completed the challenge!!

ii) No "guidance" is needed for runners, just follow the same rules and, more importantly, the same spirit as everyone else, including the walkers.

iii) They are training events....great for enjoying a nice day out, learning how to eat more as you run etc

iv) There are fell races for those who want to race and compare results!

I just have a feeling we'll feel the backlash at some point if runners continue to treat these events in the way they are. For sure, the support of us runners has helped rejuvenate some events, but I can see events being made "no runners" just to get back to the proper spirit of the LDWA.

[Mountain Goatess]

Thoroughly enjoyed this. Nice to meet the Slugg family and Behind You....who looked far too sprightly and fresh at the finish! I was going really well up to the 20 mile point, was on for a 4.15 finish then my legs were cramped up. Took me an age to get from the last checkpoint. Pleased with my time of 4.38 tho. Shame it was the last Trollers :-(

[Stolly]

I can't believe some of the discussion going on on this thread And we wonder why some of the LDWA folk don't like the fact that runners have started entering "their" events!!

i) It's NOT a race! They are "challenge events". The challenge is to complete a certain distance within a certain time limit. If someone finishes in 4 hours, he/she has done no better than someone who finishes 1 minute under the limit - both have completed the challenge!!

ii) No "guidance" is needed for runners, just follow the same rules and, more importantly, the same spirit as everyone else, including the walkers.

iii) They are training events....great for enjoying a nice day out, learning how to eat more as you run etc

iv) There are fell races for those who want to race and compare results!

I just have a feeling we'll feel the backlash at some point if runners continue to treat these events in the way they are. For sure, the support of us runners has helped rejuvenate some events, but I can see events being made "no runners" just to get back to the proper spirit of the LDWA.

Totally agree with all that; I've run the malhamdale meander and, although not an LDWA event per se, the wharfedale off road and in both cases, as a runner, I felt like a guest. And there to observe the LDWA way of doing things.... including eating massive slices of cake at the food stops

[DazTheSlug]

trespassing is obviously a no-no and would tend to bring the event into disrepute, although I'm sure we've all been known to trespass accidentally on occasion after a wrong turn
I think the "grey" area is the deliberate running of roads/other paths than those in the description - personally, I'm so slow that I'd rather follow the described route as it's likely to be the most scenic - but I am also aware that alternative routes (although public rights of way) may not be suitable for mass numbers of runners - the RO may have had discussions with landowners about various options, and chosen the one which causes least disruption (lambing/tree-felling/wall repairs/muck-spreading/crop harvesting/wildlife disturbance etc etc) - and I'm not sure what the rules are about getting permission to put event participants onto roads, but there may be an issue there too?

[discochesney]

Some people race it, run it, jog it, trot it, walk it, amble it.
All perfectly commendable approaches to me, and I see no reason why any are wrong and cant be accommodated.

Not being based anywhere near Grassington I would struggle to organise such an event - but I would be able to help with some things if someone was to give it a go. Our club could probably help organise 2-3 checkpoints and I could do the entries/online entries for example. If a couple more people stepped in it might be viable and continue to raise money for good causes. If the organising could be split between 5 or more people it wouldnt be so much per person. Would be interested in hearing peoples thoughts.

Andy

[discochesney]

FYI - Results