Fellsman

[Rob Furness]

Like yourself many of us could handled worse but surley these sort of decsions are based on the most at risk members on the event.

Absolutely. This reminds me of the part in "feet in the clouds" where Billy Bland mentions how furious he was that the Ben race was called off for poor weather and said "I didn't think it was a bad day, but I guess they weren't thinking about me"

[Twinkletoes]

Exactly, anyway the event has been and gone now. So rather than dwelling etc, look forward, onwards and upwards.

[Hes]

Whoever thinks that runners aren't well equipped should watch this!:thumbup:

[IainR]

The forum clique is closing ranks. How dare I have the audacity to even suggest that a respected forum member could have got things wrong. I should know my place. Sincere apologies. I will only say nice things in the future. :thumbup:

Its not that.. I just hate the a DNF is a failure view.. there should never be any shame in DNF... So any mocking of a DNF just isn't good to see.. Stolly made the correct call. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but so is being around to have hindsight.. with hypothermia it progresses so rapidly if you have any thoughts that you are too cold to carry on.. just quit.. get out, get warm and have a think whilst having a cup of tea..

[old un]

Exactly, anyway the event has been and gone now. So rather than dwelling etc, look forward, onwards and upwards.

good idea twinkletoes lots more to do :thumbup:

[Mark L]

I will certainly disagree there. For the majority of the years that the Fellsman has operated, it was the Fellsman Hike, and there were no runners. In recent years, a lot of runners have joined the happy band, and we are pleased that the event's popularity has increased because of this to a level where it is over-subscribed. The "Hike" part was dropped from the name as it no longer made sense given the amount of runners taking part, but old habits die hard and many of us are still struggling to remember not to refer to entrants as hikers. Walkers will always be welcome equally to runners. I will be very disappointed if this ever changes, because I hope some day to have another crack at it myself and I am not a runner. I have only tried it once, unsuccessfully, but it was enough to gain a very healthy respect for the challenge of the event.

So we don't call it a hike, or a race, and we don't say hiker. It's an event with entrants.

Just before the off I had a brief conversation with two ladies who were walking the route. They asked me how I managed to get everything in to such a small pack. Was it because I only put in exactly what I'm told I have to. She laughed and said that she's carrying spare socks, spare clothes and everything. It was only on Sunday afternoon that I realised on reflection that all us scantily clad "athletes" had probably ruined the event for the walkers, all of whom would have got round nice, comfortably and safely, thank you very much.

[caroleengel]

"I realised on reflection that all us scantily clad "athletes" had probably ruined the event for the walkers, all of whom would have got round nice, comfortably and safely, thank you very much"

Mark - you are spot on! Can we all learn and do better next year, please?

[beaker]

I have read and followed this thread before and after the event. Some have got me angry some have made me laugh at the attitude expressed towards others, especially those towards the entrant who for what ever reason chose to pull out. Stolly had his own reasons and it was his decision and it sounds as though he has given himself a good debriefing. Karen nash has a mass of mountain experience and would not have entered / completed if she had not assessed it and thought I can do this.

So why not lets stop expressing our personnel opinions and get whole heartedly behind the organiser who had to make a decision, in my opinion the correct one. I too was pulled out at Park Rash at about 3am I too was gutted but respect the decision. I heard one comment from one entrant asking the husband of the organiser if they would get a refund............................................ ......

This is a great event and a monument in the calender. The heated discussions here just prove this.

[Hes]

Good post Beaker!

[Dixie]

This year I think I was around 10 mins slower. On reflection Im happy with that but Im still waiting like everyone else for the results to be published. The 50th was teriffic a real test of running in the Dales. I run in all weathers and have tried and tested my kit over time. I for one wont change my kit etc only maybe my shoes for the 51st. So tomorrow I will be on the dreadmill at work for a nice recovery run. Then back into training for the challanges ahead next week. The Fellsman for me is a test of myself. I love the challenge I would love to run it in around 14 hours that's what Im going to concentrate on. So this year 15 hours 30 ish will do . For now...