Age limits

[Witton Park]

"Bottom line - nothing changes for junior races or series, no ambiguity at senior races shorter than 10Km."

You are only assuming that breaches are not being dealt with rigorously; it is quite rightly FRA policy to not identify juniors or races in any way.

For the wider audience, these are personal views as I am not a member of the FRA Committee.

Jim - you know I have plenty of time and respect for you - but what are your personal views here. This post is about as clear as mud.

I asked you if you were for the change - you haven't said.

This forum might be frowned upon and even an irritant in some circles, but it is one of the few places people's voices can be heard and views can be expressed frankly.

I know that some people on the committee and some people with links to the committee and well established and respected in fell running, are against this rule change, but for some reason treading around on eggshells as if they are fearful of saying it as it is.

[wycoller]

Don't blame the clubs! Most fell runners enter as individuals, not under the auspices of a coach or club, even when they are in club colours. That is certainly true for the two clubs that I am involved in. This isn't track and field.

I posted two items on our club website about age limits and distances, some parents chose to ignore them and the club got a letter. I also put the minimum age on the post about the events in question. As the club coach (and chairman at the time) most associated with fell running perhaps I would also get some blame?

the issue with the bunny runs is that they are perfectly feasible races for those under the age limit who are regular runners, and their parents, who are often running themselves, know that. My main concern is actually for them getting knocked over.

We get very concerned about distances but for seniors we fully recognise the amount of climb, why not for juniors? Perhaps running time may be a more valid criteria.

Were the brownlee brothers damaged by running too far?

[Witton Park]

Wycoller - it's not about running too far in my opinion. This is about an RO setting a minimum age requirement and people chosing to ignore it.
In the case of the Bunny's, as you say it is H&S of the athletes that is mainly the problem, although 9 & 10 year olds running 3 miles eye balls out isn't necessarily an ideal situation either, especially when Dad's running the last km with them urging them on.
I'm not suggesting clubs are banned across the board, but you say that you had a letter which must have been Wharfedale or Pendle, so what action did the club take and did it have an effect.
My proposed action against the club would be IF they didn't take any action to try and ensure that the problem didn't occur again.
It would certainly be better than changing the rules which is akin to increasing the speed limit to 40mph because people are breaking the 30mph limit.

[OB1]

It would certainly be better than changing the rules which is akin to increasing the speed limit to 40mph because people are breaking the 30mph limit.

Indeed. As a lay-parent and fell runner I am reading the rule change and this thread and thinking 'what?, why?'.

[wycoller]

What action does a club take? They can make the requirements clear and explain the background to the rules, which we do. The only other action would be to ban them from the club.

Surely the issue is with the parents who sign the entry form with a clear declaration of age. I say again though that running parents believe that some of these races are perfectly runnable by younger athletes because the terrain is gentle and climb is limited.

My official roles are all with Pendlemy it my views do not represent those of the club.

[Witton Park]

If one of my athletes in my group ran in a race that was in breach of the rules, as coach firstly I would have a word with the parents to see why, but to make it clear to them that they should not be doing that through either ignorance or recklessness and I would ask them not to do it again, which I expect would suffice in the majority of cases.
If a similar incident occurred then I would probably advise them that one more time and I would not be coaching the athlete and I would be referring the matter to the club committee.

I don't think anyone is without blame here. There has been a culture of "it'll be alright" and of ROs perhaps thinking that it's OK to allow an under age athlete to race in some circumstances.

But it is clear the FRA want to deal with it and the rule change won't do that, as the majority of breaches will not be resolved by the rule change.

I am in favour of some athletes being allowed to run up, as I have stated on another thread. But I have sought to find races which allowed athletes to run up. eg. The Andy O'Sullivan races in the Rochdale area tend to allow younger runners to take part in 5K road and trail races.

[Witton Park]

After consultation with race organisers, competitors, coaches and others with an interest in this problem the FRA Committee has decided that the best solution would be to change the age rule

I like this - a consultation. Other than a handful on the FRA committee I've yet to find anyone in favour of it.

[TheGrump]

WP - 26 posts on a minor rule change, which by all accounts from those who seem to know what they are talking about and have repeatedly posted, will have no effect at all on junior races or series. It just seems to tidy up the rules for juniors in senior races.
What is the/your problem?

[Johnny Foreigner]

WP - 26 posts on a minor rule change, which by all accounts from those who seem to know what they are talking about and have repeatedly posted, will have no effect at all on junior races or series. It just seems to tidy up the rules for juniors in senior races.
What is the/your problem?

They don't call him Wittering Park for nothing.

[Witton Park]

WP - 26 posts on a minor rule change, which by all accounts from those who seem to know what they are talking about and have repeatedly posted, will have no effect at all on junior races or series. It just seems to tidy up the rules for juniors in senior races.
What is the/your problem?

27 now Grump. You never bang on about such things do you - all sweetness and light. Counting the posts on such an insignificant thread, that suggests that it's more of an issue to you than you admit.
1. It doesn't just tidy up rules for juniors in senior races, it has an impact on all junior races and junior races did not have a problem.
2. "seem" to know what they are talking about. So why haven't they answered some of my simple questions?
3. I know for a fact that some of the people defending the rule change are against it - they have verbally told me and in email - for some reasons it seems they are frightened to come on here and say so. I will not embarass them by posting copies of emails. But at least one of them is an FRA committee member.
4. This will make no difference the the rule breaches that it was meant to resolve as they were deliberate breaches.

Johnny Foreigner - just the sort of post I'd expect from a narcissistic tosser. Perhaps some time you'll make a useful contribution in one of your posts.

Some people care - I care - I might not be right and I might disagree with people on certain issues. But I do have immense respect for people who get off their backside and contribute to the sport by doing something and people like Breezy are amongst those, even if I argue with him from time to time.

and again, 2 gutless hit and run posters who hide behind a forum name.