Skiddaw Race

[daz h]

Just a word regarding being turned at the gate rather than up on the summit. I respect anyone else who would have been happy to run on beyond the gate and are happy that they would be confident with finding their way thereafter, however I cant say I agree that conditions were meerly 'bracing' -I was clad in shorts and vest and on reaching the most exposed section on Jenkin Hill was fumbling for my hat because my head was getting cold.

Visibility was really poor and it wouldn't have been hard for one of the 140 runners to go astray on what is a fairly featureless top. What's meerly 'uncomfortable' in shorts and vest could become a nasty situation if some muppet ran off in the wrong direction for 5 minutes before realising their mistake, or worse still took a bad fall.

Without being able to fully vet all the entrants I'd have been uncomfortable as a marshall to make any other decision than that made yesterday.

The conditions were bracing for me
Ive done enough races to know that conditions would be tough up there but at no point did I ever feel that I would have put my coat on. Im just that type of runner. Navigation isnt a problem on Skiddaw for me as Ive been up there many times. If I take a fall I put them on, thats what there in the bumbag for. I respected the marshall as he was going to have to stand there for a long time. The visability was not of concern. Like Iain says if a runner cannot navigate off skiddaw then maybe he or she shouldnt be there.
I had a quick chat wth phil as he came down, he told me we were turning at the gate. Fair enough,crack on.

The summit marshall has the decision. I fully accepted it. But the conditions for me were fine.

[stevenh]

The summit marshall has the decision. I fully accepted it. But the conditions for me were fine.

Sorry, no offence meant mate. I just wanted to express a counterpoint to the folk that were suggesting "the conditions weren't all that bad". I thought that it was pretty grim.

[stevenh]

I await the 'self righteous' insults with interest...

*%$*!%@! #*$!@#**#! #**!@*$!

[IainR]

Iain, I agree they shouldn't, but a quick read of the Beginners section on this forum demonstrates how naive and over ambitious some entrants are. Of the format:
"I've never been to the Lake District or done a fell race and have no map skills, but when it says ER and NS essential, will I be ok entering Wasdale?"
As you suggest, it pushes responsibility onto the RO for selfish reasons, with no thought for any consequences. At least a kit check can assess an entrant's preparation, but competence has to be taken on trust. Or in this case, can it, and is it wise to? I fear this is a growing problem. As to a viable solution - pass.

But that's why the development of trail and mountain running as separate disciplines in their own right is so important. It allows fell running to be fell running. I think all an RO/the FRA/WFRA can do is highlight which races are suitable and which races need nav skills, if people enter a race which states nav skills required and get in serious trouble then that's evolution at work..Let people get lost. I spent 5 minutes on Sunday walking up and down a gorse covered slope because I couldn't fund the path through. All good fun.

I think changing routes for novices entices more and more people to enter regardless of ability. We've been through this time and time again though in the old kit versus skills discussions, but the most selfish and irresponsible of fell runners is those that enter races with no ability to navigate around. getting lost is no problem, we all do that, not being able to re-locate and get off a mountain safely should be a basic skill of anyone who enters a race.

[nightingale]

Sorry, no offence meant mate. I just wanted to express a counterpoint to the folk that were suggesting "the conditions weren't all that bad". I thought that it was pretty grim.

I don't think anyone is disputing the rights of marshals to make what ever decision they feel is nessesary in the interests of safety. The weather wasn't pleasant and although "we" are a tough lot some one has to make the call. I don't think any of us have a problem with the decision made on the day. And, we have to think of the best interests of the marshals standing up there in the wet and cold.

Even though it was a shortened race my legs are still killing me today. What is it about that race ? I'll be back again next year for sure.

[KatintheHat]

Nice to see the fellow BG ladeez Kate and Lyndsay

Good to see you again Em too!! Didn't see you after thou, did you head off quickly?
Thanks for the photos Stu - give some idea of what the conditions were like!!

Kat

[emmilou]

Yes - couldn't hang about Kate, got the start time mixed up and head to head back for the children, you never know how held up you'll get on the freaded M6!
We'll have to have a proper natter some time soon!!

Good to see you again Em too!! Didn't see you after thou, did you head off quickly?
Thanks for the photos Stu - give some idea of what the conditions were like!!

Kat

[Fellhound]

But that's why the development of trail and mountain running as separate disciplines in their own right is so important. It allows fell running to be fell running. I think all an RO/the FRA/WFRA can do is highlight which races are suitable and which races need nav skills, if people enter a race which states nav skills required and get in serious trouble then that's evolution at work..Let people get lost. I spent 5 minutes on Sunday walking up and down a gorse covered slope because I couldn't fund the path through. All good fun.

I think changing routes for novices entices more and more people to enter regardless of ability. We've been through this time and time again though in the old kit versus skills discussions, but the most selfish and irresponsible of fell runners is those that enter races with no ability to navigate around. getting lost is no problem, we all do that, not being able to re-locate and get off a mountain safely should be a basic skill of anyone who enters a race.

Well said Ian. That is the nub of it.

[martmason]

How does Skiddaw compare to Fairfield, the times look a bit quicker for Skiddaw although its very similar on paper. Fairfield was my first lakeland race and really enjoyed so hoping skiddaw will be as good.

[Cymrucymraes]

Thinking of giving this one a go as I'm in the area.
What is the course like? is it a up and down via the same route, or a loop?

Thanks
Cc.