I'm not doing the race this year, but have done so several times in the past, and plan to do it again in the future. I'm not impressed by the way this route change (i.e. avoiding the Snake Road) has been introduced. It seems to me that a small group of the users of this forum have effectively lobbied for this challenge to create what they view as a "nicer" route "more in keeping with the original challenge" (whatever that means).

The point is that this route is a race, not a Sunday potter over the moors, and that by changing the route records and personal bests are all effectively changed overnight. This will make Andy Trigg's record even more unattainable and the inspiring goal of a sub 3 hour Tanky's will also become very tough indeed. I doubt that these are considerations which will have weighed too heavily on the minds of those pushing for the change.

Obviously race routes change over time but this is almost always due to changes being imposed by landowners etc. The idea of runners lobbying the organiser for a route change sets a worrying precedent. And finally much as I hate it during the race that section down the road is somehow part of the whole Tanky's experience...

Tom Brunt