Quote Originally Posted by Yorkshire Thug View Post
I personally think that any race organiser who expects every single runner to shut gates probably hasn't had much experience of fell races. Most races I can think of (with gates) have marshals on them to ensure that they are shut and so that stock cannot pass through with the runners (which is just as important).

If there are too many gates for them all to be marshalled, maybe the event wasn't suitable for the course - because, as sure as eggs is eggs, sooner or later one of the runners would leave a gate open.

I'm not condoning it - merely being honest about what we all know goes on in races, and suggesting marshalling as the only method which is guaranteed to work.
Obviously marshalling every gate isnt feasable on this event. How about spot checks with unidentified marshalls keeping an eye on problem areas and instant disqualification for any offending teams