Interesting this. I did The Trollers Trot last year & there was a thread on it. People were complaining that runners had been "cheating" at the TT by not taking the designated route ! Like you say DT, it's not a race but people have started treating the LDWA events as such. Personally, I think these are great events both for walkers, who they are aimed at, & runners to gauge fitness.
As often happens in the wonderful online world of forums, I think my point has been missed.
What i really wanted to know, and I think it's relevant regardless of what speed you travel, is can you visit the CPs in order but following your own route rather than the advised route on the entry sheet?
I only mentioned racing to attempt to illustrate a potential difference where sometimes a prescribed /marked route must be taken.
I don't think your point has been missed
If there's a described route, you take it
Last edited by Derby Tup; 08-01-2011 at 11:20 PM.
Poacher turned game-keeper
I agree. The whole point of an LDWA Challenge event is to complete the designated course. They are not fell races. So to my mind if you've taken a short cut you've failed the challenge.Originally Posted by Derby Tup
I don't think your point has been missed
If there's a described route, you take it
I can't remeber where but I'm sure I read on some LDWA literature that fell runners were to be reminded that LDWA event were NOT fell races and therefore the designated route should be followed.
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.
Brilliantly put Alexandra.
That's certainly the case.
Took the train to Guiseley Saturday morning and a group went round the course to where it crosses the Keighley Gate Road for the second time.
Pretty hard underfoot for much of the Ilkley Moor section, but plenty of soft ground too to ensure that wet, muddy and cold feet are still on the menu.
Not doing this myself, but the wife is, so I'm sure I'll be available to provide some of my usual and helpful verbal encouragement.
I agree with these sentiments; a challenge is a challenge.
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
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