Stretton 27 Apr: Champs Race 2

[Lefty]

Gazmuz - you raise some relevant points, some of which were raised last year, so let me try to be of help.

The FRA Jnrs were in a little bit of a predicament. The international committee has wrongly assumed that Coiners would still be available as a trial race and so fairly late in the process they piggy-backed Cowpe and I personally agree with you that Cowpe wasn't an ideal location for the trial as the terrain is typically rugged Pennine and not representative of European Mountain running.
I'm not a selector, but having seen the Cowpe results last year it was clear that they would have a problem.
The ages for last year were born 95 or 96.
Looking at the Boys - I think of the top 8 at Cowpe only 2 were eligible.
Looking at the Girls - the 1st eligible girl more than 6 minutes behind Annabel and they would have had to select someone around 10 minutes off the pace to take 3 that fitted the age rules.
This wasn't the first time as it happened at Coiners years ago when my daughter was too young as was Mel Hyder and Laura Riches, they only took 2 girls.

I went to Cowpe and without wanting to go over old ground, the terrain was actually quite OK, but perhaps the routes needed a little tweaking and the management of the start/finish areas in particular. But I think the ROs accepted the largely constructive comments that were given at the time and I am sure the race will be a great event this year.

Ref the Facebook quote, just remember you are quoting someone off FB that is drumming up interest in the race and so I think you have to cut them a bit of slack. I reckon the terrain down there is fantastic for junior fell - very similar to the Howgills - so I expect lots of happy young athletes coming away afterwards.

Re Cowpe.....the start finish area is different this year and much improved, as agreed last years start finish wasn't ideal. The start finish area is now right behind the Church Hall ( registration ) as are the portaloos etc so its much more compact. The under 8s under and under 10s courses are completely different whilst the other age group are changed for the out and back with some further alterations. Beware though its straight into the tough climb right from the start. Details of Travel etc can be found on the Rossendale Harriers website on the Juniors page and I am in the process of sorting out the maps which should appear in the same place this next week......and we should have tea and cakes. !!!!!

[Lefty]

Good luck with your event Jim. Fantastic area for running, I'm sure everyone will love the event. Good to see that the Champs races are spread to all areas, that's how it should be.

[Corniceman]

Re Cowpe.........and we should have tea and cakes. !!!!!

Haha....Good job too Lefty. We are looking forward to it. I have never been to the infamous Cowpe before but heard they are real fell races. I'll come and introduce myself and the girls to you sometime during the day.

[Lefty]

Haha....Good job too Lefty. We are looking forward to it. I have never been to the infamous Cowpe before but heard they are real fell races. I'll come and introduce myself and the girls to you sometime during the day.

Be good to see you there.Please make a point of coming over and saying hello....it will be good to meet you. I've been out all this week running and mapping the routes and I have today put the maps of the routes along with some of the Garmin Stats on the Juniors page on the Rossendale Harriers website. As soon as Stretton is completed I will start a thread on the forum with more details and links etc. Any worries or questions hopefully I can answer them for you !

[jtinnion]

Guys - some important info. We had a great final meeting with the farmer last night.

One or two pieces of info. We're giving out the programme now, but you need to note that the car park is up an narrow lane, so it will be one way (in only) except for marshalls etc. between 11:00 and 13:15. It will be out only from 13:15 onwards. Please bear this in mind when timing your arrival and departure. Coaches and minibuses would be best to drop off at the bottom of the lane, there is good parking for both in a layby by Church Stretton School about a mile away.

Our registration team is also our refreshments and results team. This means that the registration process will be slower once the events are underway, particularly as results start to come in and runners start looking for tea and cakes (both of which will be on sale in the marquee). Would as many of you as can do therefore please arrive before 12 and register as you get there... It'll give the older ones chance to reccie their routes (but please keep out of the way of younger athletes racing while you go round). All the courses should be fully marked by 11am. We will not register anyone arriving at the marquee after 13:30.

The weather forecast is for cool weather with light to moderate wind and the possibility of light showers. Although there is no kit requirement there will be a fair bit of standing around, so please ensure you and your juniors have appropriate kit. There will be an area for this in the marquee but we can't be responsible for anything left there. The car park is adjacent so it would be best to leave any spare kit in your cars.

The timetable is below:

11:00 all courses marked, registration open, car parking becomes one way "IN" only
12:00 advertised event starting time
12:15 U8 race start (race numbers 1-50)
12:21 (approx.) fastest U8 runners finish
12:30 U10 race start (nos. 101-150)
12:41 (approx.) fastest U10 runners finish
13:00 U12 race start (nos. 201-250)
13:05 U8 / U10 presentations in / by marquee
13:15 fastest U12 runners finish
13:15 car parking one way reverses and will be "OUT" only
13:30 U14 race start (nos. 301-350)
13:40 last possible time to register for U16/U18 races
13:52 fastest U14 runners finish
14:15 U16 and U18 races start together (U16 nos. 401-450; U18 nos. 501-530)
14:25 U12 / U14 presentations in / by marquee
14:35 Tots’ fun run in event field (with parents)
14:45 fastest U16 runners finish
15:00 fastest U18 runners finish
15:30 U16/U18 presentations in / by marquee
16:00 expected time for all runners to have finished

Hope this is all clear, if anyone has any queries the best way of getting hold of me is to post on the facebook event page, failing that email me at jim dot tinnion at me dot com.

Cheers all. Looking forward to course marking on Friday and seeing you all on Saturday!

Jim

[jtinnion]

Courses are marked, start/finish set up, marquee up, almost ready!

Weather forecast for tomorrow is cool, breezy but mostly sunny with possible showers in the afternoon. Make sure you bring warm and waterproof clothes in case! Safe journey everyone, see you all tomorrow...

Jim

[withaY]

i ve got to say what a fantastic day!

from the off sturdy easily visible signposting.. helpful chaps in the spacious car park..loverly big marquee.. nice cake and butties.. effcient sign on.. maps galorse of the courses.. the BEST laid out start finish area fully taped easily understood.. easily followed routes with Massive and clear signage where age groups diverted. plenty of marshalls each with maps of route and fluro jackets.. well marshalled finish .. start times as published ... goody bags for the finishers..(proper big ones with energy drink fruit and chocs and sweets).. great prizes for the first three presented by a running legend tim davies..

a proper race worthy of the English championship and organisation that should be a benchmark for all others organisers in the championship. WELL DONE!

[lawriej]

Glad it went well Jim... know how much work you've put into it

[Lloyder99]

A great day had by all, well done all concerned!

[Dave Roelants]

i ve got to say what a fantastic day!

from the off sturdy easily visible signposting.. helpful chaps in the spacious car park..loverly big marquee.. nice cake and butties.. effcient sign on.. maps galorse of the courses.. the BEST laid out start finish area fully taped easily understood.. easily followed routes with Massive and clear signage where age groups diverted. plenty of marshalls each with maps of route and fluro jackets.. well marshalled finish .. start times as published ... goody bags for the finishers..(proper big ones with energy drink fruit and chocs and sweets).. great prizes for the first three presented by a running legend tim davies..

a proper race worthy of the English championship and organisation that should be a benchmark for all others organisers in the championship. WELL DONE!

I can only agree with all of the above, what a fantastic venue, superb organisation, testing but hugely enjoyable routes this was a real cracker. Great to go to a new location, easy travelling, we all stayed at a premier inn for £29 and made a weekend of it, hope its in the calendar for next year already!