Not cynical, just all the more reason to shut the gates....
Not cynical, just all the more reason to shut the gates....
Maybe us Fell runners sometimes need to stop finding ways of blaming ourselves and wonder why a photographer just happened on that spot at that time........Originally Posted by TheGrump
The following is from the event rules:-
19 Every single gate must be closed. Teams observed not closing gates will be instantly disqualified. Do not assume that the team behind will close the gate. Even if it means closing a gate on an approaching team......close it !
We have had complaints from farmers and United Utilities rangers in the past so please ensure you follow this rule.
Who else can we blame if someone chose to ignore the rule?
Yet more self important patronising nonsense from the man who wrote the book.
This was clearly just an excuse for UU to withdraw permission. If not this, then they would have found something else in the near future. If it was the gates mentioned then it's especially petty as they are nowhere near public roads and the chances of livestock loss would be extremely remote. I've never slammed gates in the face of other runners and I'm not going to start now.
Instead of arguing with each other, maybe we should be looking at whether or not UU are acting legally in this matter and whether or not there is a diversion that could be used. This is an excellent event and I for one would rather see it go ahead in heavily modified form than abandoned completely. Countryside access is going to get ever more difficult in the next 5-10 years and we need to be willing to fight our corner.
Im not trailing through 30 odd pages to find out whats happended.
Ive re-rubbed my eyes three times now....have I just read that the race has been scrapped because UU have withdraw permission because someone left a gate/alot of gates open?
Al - thats about it
Are you seriously suggesting that any gate away from roads is ok to leave open - I can see that going down well with the various farmers and landowners who support races etc
Gutted to hear the news - I do hope the door may still open for some sensible discussions, a lesson has been learnt and a point made - I am convinced the race could be run with a renewed focus the gates issue
Yes but livestock can also get lost on the hill if they wander off, it will take hours if not days for the farmer to find lost livestock, or for him to assume it's dead and spend an equal amount of time filling the claims form in. The upshot is a number of runners haven't abided the rules and there is no more race. Consider this: was it UU who made the initial complaint, or the tenant farmers who complained to UU about runners leaving gates open?
WELL DONE every single runner who thought they could save valuable seconds not closing 'THAT GATE' or you'd get a really nice little thankyou rather than a grunt from someone 50 meters back.
You've well and truly FU**ED UP one of the best relays in the area :angry::angry::angry:
I'd say let him without sin.........
I think from time to time we've all done it - I can say having run leg 1 two years running that I've not once had to open a gate yet but I have shut some behind me, it's so congested that it would be silly to abide by the letter of the law.
Reasonable behaviour would seem more appropriate.
I would hope there's a way of negotiating out of this.
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