New Moel Famau night race

[Welsh Harrier]

In response to the artist formerly known as Swiss Toni!!

Sounds like it was great judging form your feedback. You could be a Mystery Shopper for unknown races. Quite frankly I've no grouse with other people organising events round here, there's room for everybody for goodness sake - I ran from Prestatyn to Llangynhafal on Friday evening on the Offa's Dyke Path and I saw two walkers - that's all!! What I think is particularly brilliant is the involvement of junior competitors. I shall look forward to further feedback, photos, etc!

As long as the organisers get everything right as far as the safety of their competitors is concerned then they should be encouraged in my book. I do however need to comment about the race at the end of the month. The Excalibur website has stated that their race is run according to WFRA guidelines and in fact, sensibly, they have pointed out that runners should carry full kit, etc. I need to point out that this event is not insured through WFRA, it's a great idea for an event on what might seem like comparatively benign terrain for a 26 mile event. The forecast looks OK but I've cancelled the Llangynhafal Loop at this time of year due to adverse weather - I wish them all the best on the day!!

[Mark Smith]

Hi WH - i don't think the same ppl are organising the Excalibur, but i take your point. I remember Edale being warm one year and arctic the next and that's 2 weeks away. A few of our club are doing the Excalibur - be interested to get feedback. I was tempted myself.

[(notsomuchofa)Fellrunner]

Just out of interest, (nsmo)FR, what time were you out there this morning? I would have thought that a slick, professional organising team might have gathered the signage in directly after the event?

I set off at 0730. The signage was still there at 1130, but the organisers did have their tastefully liveried 4*4 in the carpark & I assume they were clearing up.

[Kathyf]

Interesting that you comment about clearing up after the race. I ran 15 miles along the Anglesey Coastal path from Amlwch to Cemaes Bay and back about a month ago and was dismayed to see dozens of pieces of 'Buff' logo-ed plastic tape still attatched to the fence along a beautiful section of otherwise pristine and litter-free coastal path. It was from the Cemaes to Bull Bay race that the same company organised on the 3rd of December last year and had not been cleared away (this was mid February), this is not a particularly useful addition to the race-organising fraternity and is likely to incur the wrath and displeasure of the locals and ramblers alike. Opposition to races can be forthcoming enough without actively giving people a reason to object.
I did take the time to ring the RO and ask him if they were aware of the tape and he expressed concern and promised it'd be removed pronto. I haven't been over there to check but hope that they're true to their words. There's no real excuse for it.

p.s. I hope the Excalibur isn't 'Arctic', personally I'm hoping for a nice warm spring day!!!

[IainR]

That's good Mark..

I did a half marathon this weekend.. $90 which is ~ £55...

Awful..

1. No toilets at the start, supposedly the company delivering screwed up but we had 2 toilets for 1000 runners..
2. Awful course, there were a few hills but just lots of tight turns, running down alleyways, just a very artificial and created route.. seemed no logic to the course.. lots of narrow sections, obstacles to pass over..
3. Course poorly marked.. you'd run for a long way seeing no signs, Y juntions not marked.. I did a 1.15 mile between 2 mile markers at one bit, plus was sent the wrong way by a marshall.. a copper.. even the lead bikes got lost.. all the top 10 got lost..
4. No prizes.. well a shitty piece of leather.. 1000 runners.. $80-100 entry fees depending when you entered, so $100,000 in race entry fees.. Liverpool half is £400 for the winner.. I think generally your prize for top 3 should exceed the entry fee.. so a bottle of wine for the usual fell race is plenty.. I was third and won by age category and got sod all.. road running isn't cheap, 350 miles a month = a pair of trainers a month..
5. Just not value for money.. it just screamed of commercial event organisation by someone who had little experience of running or at least racing at the sharp end.. I was third regardless of the issues, in fact I'd have probably finished 4th as the guy with got fed up and quit.. but I could have ran sub 1:15 (I ended up with 1:18), and can be qualification for other races..
6. Calling Texan police effing texans isn't well recieved...

Maybe we'll see more of these events organised purely to make money, but I'll never do another race by that RO.. I've no issues with proffessional race organisers.. but it should be a professional race.. I wrote in to give my views, as it was the first running of the event,and had no reply.. When its so expensive you buy a service and that service fell short this weekend..

They seemed more intent on getting the starting Prayer said than organising a good race.. people were literally welling up when the anthem was sung at the Alamo.. Supposedly God enables us to run the race we run.. maybe that's why they are so awful at running.. training to run better versus praying to run better...

It's the first time someone has come up to me and asked could they pray for me.. then said a long prayer why you are standing ready to start.. what's wrong with the usual post race bullshitting.. 'I'm injured.. not run for months.. if I finish I'll be happy'...

[JWM]

Just thought id comment on this to,i came 2nd in the nitro north race got really dark at the top but was luckily a clear day!,as it was my 3rd race overall i didn`t mind the price,i even made £20.
i dont think it was advertised enough,needless to say my heart was pounding so loud that i think the vale of clwyd would of heard it at the thought of leading the runners up to the summit and coming 1st place until i was just overtaken and put into 2nd.
i consider it my first fell race even though its marketed as a trail race.i found martins loop alot harder and more enjoyable though,i might be wrong to but im sure there is a race called hot foot up moel famue which does the same route as nitro north but about £12 cheaper! :O

[Mark Smith]

Hi JWM

As the guy that was 3rd who trailed in your wake, i can say that i couldn't hear your heart pounding for the sound of my gasping and choking!

The hotfoot up famau is a very different outing - starts at the top car park and after a short rise, descends, climbs, descends, climbs again via the gully and then a fast descent down the motorway to the end. It is 12 quid cheaper and much more like a typical fell race. It's a different route completely, just one short section of path from the top of MF is the same

Mark

[JWM]

Hi JWM

As the guy that was 3rd who trailed in your wake, i can say that i couldn't hear your heart pounding for the sound of my gasping and choking!

The hotfoot up famau is a very different outing - starts at the top car park and after a short rise, descends, climbs, descends, climbs again via the gully and then a fast descent down the motorway to the end. It is 12 quid cheaper and much more like a typical fell race. It's a different route completely, just one short section of path from the top of MF is the same

Mark

Hi mark!
i could see your light getting closer and closer! tense moment ha
i had a read of your comments and couldn`t help but laugh,you are 100% about the competition,they were made up of the penny lane striders and other non mountain runners! il have to give that hot foot a go,sounds like a good run!

the look on your face at the end is priceless to! http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=3&theater

-john

[Mark Smith]

Not the best pic of me ever taken that's for sure!

See you at HUF if i can get out of work commitments that week.

[Welsh Harrier]

Here's another not inexpensive race up Moel Famau!

http://www.eventswithadventure.com/events/fell-hell/

Quote: "Fell Hell will certainly deliver a challenge and we highly recommend you accept it. This is a timed event and prizes will be presented to the 1st Male and 1st Female."
Entry is £16 but -
Quote: "ENTER NOW BEFORE PRICE INCREASE

Must be a different target audience!

Welsh Harrier
http://travellinglightatsixtyplus.blogspot.com/