It looks to be getting very difficult to put a race on unless you have resources and manpower. First aider present, MR on standby, lots of paperwork on display, no random numbers etc, first aid post equipped to deal with hypothermia. I think i've been to a few little events which might end up ditched due to them not being able to meet the new regulations.
Are we going to see vigilantes shopping folk for not wearing a vest, or running with your number on your shorts?
I was worried about which direction we were heading in when metric came into force, now i think i know.
The 'number pinned to vest' rule might be a good opportunity for the PB van (or any other entrepreneurial kit supplier) to introduce a range of 'crop tops' for the men (as well as ladies), that the likes of peateater, luvshack, and countless others can feel comfortable wearing without risking their personal safety (dehydration etc). As well as proving a compromise by providing a top quartile garment to pin a number to, the 'new FRA approved crop top' design could be sensitive to the likes of Fozzy not getting an eyeful of male nipple. Job sorted.
I think there's an easy answer to the vest issue from one of our national heroes.
Attachment 7114
Maybe PB could have a word with the Ron Hill lot, after all Vintage is in as well!
Come on....
There's no chance a proper Lancastrian bloke would wear a crop top.... Yorkshire.. maybe.. Attachment 7115
Yawn. More "fell running were better back i'nt days when we could do whatever the hell we liked" answers. I think some of you would object to any 'rules' or guidance being introduced, what ever they said.
From what I can see, these are simply the current "rules" updated and clarified to provide sensible cover for ROs and runners alike. They aren't designed to impinge on anyone's personal freedom on the fells as far as I can see.
Ha! Yep, that'd be fine. I'll be first in line to buy one. As long as it's figure-hugging lycra of course and I can buy matching shorts or running knickers, a la female elite road/track runners![]()
Or a triathlon style number belt?
We've been guilty of using left over numbers from other races and once issued the same number to 2 runners. We don't do it now for that very reason, we get free numbers in a 'sponsorship' deal, for which we are grateful for.
Nice idea, but when the bar code reader stops working (as it often does at my local parkrun) it take a helluva long time to write down that 8 digit number. Not so bad at the end of a parkrun, but would be a right pain at ne of the checkpoints in an AL.
One thing to remember though, is that these changes are a DRAFT for comments. How many have actually sent their comments to the FRA instead of/as well as airing them on here?
The less rules the better. If we can have a smart way to improve safety without impinging on the simplicity and comparative freedom of fell racing, then that gets my vote. Not done a park run but am familiar with the idea. Does it work? Can you scan the code with barcode reader in a mobile phone? And then send the data to race hq?? If so it would be neat way of tracking runners on a long race. Then perhaps we would allow topless runners with felt tip numbers on the back of hands for v short races. Nice and simpe!