Good move, removing the road section - safer and more in keeping with a fell event.
Good move, removing the road section - safer and more in keeping with a fell event.
I am in complete agreement, but, as said before, the road must be made out of bounds, otherwise evryone will use the road as it is faster.Originally Posted by Alphin
ydt
Come on Daz pull yer finger out lad.
I can't move the checkpoint significantly further up Lady Clough as there are major parking issues with this. What I will suggest to the CP marshalls is to move a little way up so that runners are doubling back on themselves if they do want to cheat and go down the A57!!!
The route is to go down Lady Clough from Doctor's Gate but remembering that this IS (as Ian states) an unmarked route I cannot feasbily ensure that the road is not used (ie disqualify anyone for using the road if seen running down it!!). I trust enough to hope that if I say the route is to go down Lady Clough that everyone WILL use Lady Clough; I've had enough ear ache about getting the route off the road!!!
Cheers
x
There are a few issues here - in a point to point race with two checkpoints there will always be a route choice, especially in a race of this length and calibre, and over the terrain it covers. If the checkpoints are positioned to favour a certain route, ie shorter or better running terrain, safer running off road, etc, then these checkpoints need to be publicised in the race details at the point of entry to the race, ie on the entry form, race publicity, etc, not discussed and decided upon on public forums 2 months after the entries have started to be been accepted.
The route as it stands with last years checkpoints does not prevent people from running down the valley, nor the road, it's just that it is a race and people follow the runner in front without opting for another alternative, so, over time, the route is 'down the road'. I think the only reason that the road has become the established route is that the fast boys (and girls) have taken the most direct route. That doesn't mean it is the best route for everybody. As with all other sections of the route, there are alternatives, and it should be up to the individual to decide on what works best for them, on or off road, on or off path, through or round bog, etc.
I can take the road or leave it personally, but to alter the ethos of the race by public demand is not really in the spirit of the original challenge.
If someone gets knocked down and decides to take legal action against the organisers it could be the end of the race, this threat has to be taken seriously in today's world.
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
I'm surprised you want such a formal approach to fell races! I've done many races where the route has had to be changed to that originally advertised.
Er, no... the road *is* the fastest route for everyone, by a long chalk, no matter what speed you're going.
I'm sorry some people are upset by the request for a change, and apologies Clair for making life difficult. I brought up the issue here in this thread because of safety concerns - it's an extremely fast road and my dad's car was nearly hit by someone doing a very dangerous overtaking maneuver there this summer, and I was concerned that runners were very vulnerable on that particular stretch of road.
Last edited by Joe; 19-10-2010 at 09:15 AM.
I think if the RO has become convinced that it's best to divert the race off the road then that should be accepted.
But I think then the road has to be taken out of consideration, either by being made out-of-bounds in some way (a marshal standing at the road crossing?) or preferably by sticking the CP far enough down Lady Clough that it takes the road out as a sensible option.
Dunno what the parking issue is and I lack any real local knowledge, but I'd've thought wherever the CP is, cars still have to parked on Snake Road somewhere. Does the CP have to be within eyesight of the parked cars or summat?
Anyway, sure there's problems there I don't know about ....
It's not against any ethos to take out the road - all races with checkpoints effectively rule out a number of routes. The only way to allow total freedom is to have a start and a finish and that's it.
How does one enter this, or is it already full? I feel like a trot around the bogs of the Peak...
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