Originally Posted by
Witton Park
That's fine Jim - but take Ian Holmes - described as an exception - the problem with the rules is that they are designed around the typical club runner.
Somewhere along the line we have to give a little leeway to coaches and athletes to make educated decisions about their athletes.
We can proceed along the lines of the jogging boom and churn out lots of bog standard athletes or we can allow those with the drive, physiology and ability to fly.
As a coach I always look to what I believe is the best interests of my athletes and I've never shied away from looking for the occasional "over distance" race for my athletes if I think it's in their best interests.
I used to use the Sue Ryder 5Ks at Cuerden Park Leyland, and I've more recently had juniors run the Andy O'Sullivan races at Whitworth and Multi-Coloured's Turkey Trail.
I only do it with juniors that I know are capable and it's a shame we have to dig out a few "un-permitted" races to do this.
It would be nice if there were a few races in the FRA calendar for example where the rules could be relaxed if a junior had reached a certain level.
Races around her such as Bleasdale Circle, Paddy's Pole, David Staff, would be good races in my books for a good 15 year old to have an outing against the seniors.
Tar and feather me if you want, but that is what I believe.
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