Calderdale Way Relay

[I Like It Like That]

As webmaster of the Halifax Harriers website it was me that posted the question on our site asking for feedback about the date. This was on the home page alongside the results. Of the 27 responses we got before our meeting only 3 favoured December. This surprised me as much as anyone as I was also in favour of keeping December. The CWR committee is made up of very experienced fell runners including founders and current and past directors of the relay so the decision was not taken lightly because although only 3 respondents wanted to keep December the reasons were compelling and can be found over and over in this thread. As far as I know no one has actually contacted the club to complain. It's a bold move but it might also turn out to be a smart one, that will depend on how much people love the CWR or whether other events in May are more appealling. We will find out...

Now let me see.

When last run in December 2009 you had 117 teams so around 1400 runners turned out.

24 v 1400?

Those 24 sure have influence.

[Flightless Bird]

When you go down to the pub for a pint with your mates, do you chew the cud on the issues of the day, or stare in to a corner whistling to yourself? Just wondering as this is a forum for debate.

Oh dear. I seem to have put my view across. Strange that I am being chastised by someone for doing exactly what they say this forum is for.

[Stanners]

Oh dear. I seem to have put my view across. Strange that I am being chastised by someone for doing exactly what they say this forum is for.

Have u not just contradicted yourself? Lol

[Witton Park]

Oh dear. I seem to have put my view across. Strange that I am being chastised by someone for doing exactly what they say this forum is for.

I see that as a question rather than a ticking off.

As a RO I certainly look at feedback on forums. I look at quite a variety of them as often they do give honest feedback on the event.

[Trig]

Might be worth us asking our respective clubs to provide some collective feedback to the organisers; Having discussed the new date with many club mates (CVFR) most seem to be dissappointed by the change. That said, everyone understands the pressures of organising the relay and would still want to support the event and respect the organiser's perogative to plan the race as they see fit.

I am guessing that the majority would love to see the race back on its traditional date if the organisers still felt able to review their decison; It might be more useful to the organisers to recieve focused/balanced feedback from the clubs rather than a series of complaints/comments from many individuals.

I suspect most clubs would give the same feedback.

If after taking this feedback there is no change to the new date then we should all accept the change and get used to the new format.

If you think many of your clubmates share this view it might be worthwhile speaking to your club chair/captain about gathering some feedback.

Once again I must stress I think think the CWR is a great event, my favourite race of the year, run by an exceptional bunch of ROs, and I will run it on any date.

[Pike]

As webmaster of the Halifax Harriers website it was me that posted the question on our site asking for feedback about the date.

Thanks for the clarification Runrig, at least we can now understand where the largely positive feedback came from.

Unfortunately in the interest of balance, it is mainly those who participated in the May event who would have stumbled upon the request for feedback as they visited the Halifax Harriers web site for the results.

Individuals may participate, but it's clubs who submit entries and put teams together, so how about polling the views of clubs? I will put this suggestion to the event organisers.

As for the snow and ice risk, a few years ago one of the notes to team captains was always "In the event of adverse weather you will be informed by telephone by 6pm on the Saturday evening before, and the race will be run the following Sunday." I'm not sure when this rule ceased to be, but it seemed quite a sensible compromise, and possibly would have suited more of the clubs, team captains, and athletes originally lined up to take part in the December 2010 event.

[Iken Fityemean]

Just got back from holiday to find my favourite "winter race" gone. Now I've read all the comments. Firstly, its up to Halifax as the hard pressed organiser to put the race on when they want to, nobody else!
Second and last its up to the individual whether or not he or she enters (i.e. puts their name forward for the TEAM).
With reference to the comment saying enter for the good of the team:- unfortunately it would be a team of maybe's, sorry can't make it, no reply etc. etc.

As for the comment about moaning, well if the argument about not wishing to change or not wanting to do the race in May is a moan, then so be it!

I am from a club that entered six full teams last December with several reserves lined up. After cancellation we barely made two teams and whilst they did well, even they will concede that many of our "stars" were otherwise engaged.

Sure some of the comments are positive and say they will do the race whenever it is put on.
Are those people also away competing abroad, representing their Country or perhaps on holiday with their families or perhaps competing in a time honoured race that they do not wish to miss? I doubt it.

As for not wanting to run in wintery conditions, come off it, get serious. That was and is the best part of Calder. (Except for the hard pressed Marshalls who do a very worthy but uncomfortable job in conditions that are often just above or below freezing. They are in fact the only valid reason, as I see it, to change the date) As for it leaving it open to cancellation well I may be wrong but that is the first since 1996 when I started doing it, that it was cancelled. (A difficult decision which I would not wish on anyone, as it was "damned if you do and damned if you don't" time. )

I remember feeling the loss of the original Rossendale relay (The Mary Townsley Loop doesn't do it for me). Now I must bow out of Calder. R.I.P. and will be sadly missed.

Best wishes to Halifax .

P.S. I would rather you made the decision on logistics rather than state that a poll of 27 runners, from a minimum 1440 runners, not counting the many club teams who did not get an entry due to over subscription, was a reason for change.

[Chaddy the Owl]

Does anyone know when the entries for this year race open?

[manothemoors]

I'll try to find out for you this evening.

[Brummy John]

Anyione know the team entry fee for this year? It is back on.