well as a parent only one person makes the choice of where to race..
these young people race because they like to run, some because its a day out with thier mates, some because thier half decent, some for the craic.. but as a young person they have the ultimate choice of where and when they run, not a rule book written by middle aged folks who know better.

( our sports teacher told me that the kids at school do too much sport , they havent had a sports day for 2 years as the kids are 'too tired'.. so its unlikey we ll be getting a call from her school.. )