Quote Originally Posted by Alexandra View Post
Writing as a member of both FRA AND LDWA, I think the purist old guard view of LDWA events is that they are NOT races, and indeed for some events there is no list of finishers or their times. However, there are certainly those who take part (including me) who are fiercely competitive. Do not imagine that just because people are walkers they don't care passionately to walk faster than their peers. And many LDWA "walkers" will in fact run as much of the route as they are able.

In my view, if there is a route description, the challenge is to follow it. Those who take short cuts have not risen to that particular challenge, and they should ask for their names to be removed from the list of finishers. Anything else is cheating. Runners who see themselves as "slumming" on LDWA events, just doing a bit of training and therefore free to follow whatever route they choose, might like to reflect that for walkers giving their all to do the authorised route in the best possible time it is very discouraging and even corrupting to see runners taking short cuts. It is a poor return for the famed hospitality of LDWA groups to treat their challenges with contempt and it makes it more likely that walkers too will be tempted to cheat.
thank you for, very eloquently, clearing up my question. I will follow the described route on all LDWA events.

I hope my previous comments haven't given the impression that I view LDWA events as in some way lesser to others, that is not my view at all. I was mearly seeking a liitle clarification. thanks all for your input.

lets hope we all have a good day - together