Pennine Bridleway Relay

[Lefty]

We have upped the entry limit and the event is now full with 108 teams entered. Some new clubs in there and some old favourites. Good to see past record holders Borrowdale FR back after an absence last year along with the mighty Salford and regular winners Horwich Rmi. For some reason this event attracts quite a few Triathlon teams which worries me slightly given the time of year and perhaps inexperienced runners. Despite the snow and ice just about clearing in time for the event to go ahead last year we still had a few serious incidents. I have produced a 'Safety' page on the the event website which gives useful advice to 'inexperienced' runners which I hope they will look at. Good luck with your club recce'ing.
http://www.penninebridlewayrelay.co.uk

[Chaddy the Owl]

Why question the fact that triathlon clubs are entering? Surely it must be a good thing that this event is reaching out to a wider audience?
the event would be boring if the same clubs turned up?

[FellJunior]

Why question the fact that triathlon clubs are entering? Surely it must be a good thing that this event is reaching out to a wider audience?
the event would be boring if the same clubs turned up?

I think Lefty's post is primarily aimed at inexperienced runners, who are at a further disadvantage as regards advice and even owning suitable kit, if they belong to a non-fell running club e.g tri or road. As a marshal on this event for a number of years, I have on occasion stood out in -6C doing kit checks, trying to get teams to understand just how harsh the conditions are higher up on the course. Each year I am amazed at how ill prepared some teams are, and how the same one or two inexperienced teams seem to deliberately try to avoid the kit check.

However, I will go on record and say that to my knowledge at least one tri team comes very well prepared each year. The potential problem lies with those who don't study the safety and kit guidelines, and think it doesn't matter. I once was presented with a runner, who had no kit at all, and was already showing signs of hypothermia on the start line, for goodness sake.

[AndyA]

Why question the fact that triathlon clubs are entering? Surely it must be a good thing that this event is reaching out to a wider audience?
the event would be boring if the same clubs turned up?

What Felljunior said, plus;

At least the triathletes have the inexperience excuse, unlike the 'experienced' fellrunners who roll up to event after event, ill-equipped and ignorant of even basic self-preservation techniques. Triathletes are generally open-minded about learning new things and adopting new techniques/strategy; quite the opposite to a lot of fellrunners.

I've only been fellrunning a few years (i used to be more of a triathlete!) but already i reckon that i'm better equipped (both kit-wise and knowledge) to deal with the wheels falling off, than a lot of the runners that i see on start lines.

Experience is not the same as Knowledge. You could do a hundred fellraces and never have a problem but it only takes one race to kill you if you get into trouble and don't know what to do.

[Lefty]

I dont have any problem with the tri teams entering at all and I can say that we have never had a problem with any of the tri teams as regards kit. As an organiser I do worry big time about safety as fell relays do attract runners that normally dont run the fells and have the experience that comes with it such as having the right sort of kit, navigational skills, recognition and treatment of hypothermia etc. I spent some time putting together the 'Safety' page on the website based on my 50 years of fellracing and whilst not wanting to preach to anyone I hope it is looked upon as good advice. Whilst we do everything we can to make the event safe for the runners the onus should be on the individual for his or her safety on the day.

[Lefty]

Lots of snow and ice on the route now reminicent of the days and weeks leadng up to the event last year. Met some lads from Royton on Sunday on early recce of leg 5.First time for them and they seemed to be enjoying the route.

[Lefty]

Apart from some (very) isolated patches of hard ice the route is now clear of ice and snow and good for a recce. The host club are doing a leg 1 recce from Fearns School tomorrow morning at 10.00 am if anyone wants to tag along.

[Lefty]

Only 3 weeks to go.......seen lots of people out doing a recce.....so far no reports of any big blunders , some of the waymarking sighns are now in need of replacing but its still pretty well waymarked and we have lots of route information/maps on the event website. http://www.penninebridlewayrelay.co.uk

[Lefty]

For leg 2 runners there is a route diversion at Widdop reservoir dam where Yorkshire water are carrying out repairs to the dam wall. Runners should follow the diversion. Details and map of the diversion can be found here:http://www.penninebridlewayrelay.co.uk (Look on the Latest news page)

[wjvh]

Hi - can anyone give our leg 1 runners a lift from the end of leg 1 (start of leg 2) back to the start/finish? I estimate they will finish between 1h30 and 2h. Please reply to Will, [email protected]