New safety rules

[IainR]

Great answer.

Bar code tattooed on forehead.

Got to say Park Run has been superb... we can all learn... maybe this IS the future.. FRA barcodes.. !!

[mr brightside]

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.

[OB1]

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.

[Witton Park]

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!

[IainR]

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 .

Come on....

There's no chance a proper Lancastrian bloke would wear a crop top.... Yorkshire.. maybe.. Attachment 7115

[fozzy]

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 new proposals are problematic, as they have some very real negative consequences for the sport. I often run topless, for the simple fact that I get too hot and this puts me at risk of dehydration: can anyone give a valid reason why I 'must' wear a top, as this will decrease my personal safety? I have taken part in races where organisers have insisted on the carrying of full waterproofs on blazing summer's days, yet not provided one drop of water, or even insisted that any was carried- this is not a proper duty of care to the competitor, it's dumb adherence to rules rather than intelligent, dynamic risk assessment
Similarly, many runners have pointed out that numbers worn on shorts are actually more likely to be seen by marshals than ones covered by a top in poor weather; I now fold numbers and put them on my shorts after having lost more than one from a top, torn off by strong winds. Let's engage brain before casting these rules in stone- Pertex and water on hot days and full waterproofs when actually needed. Numbers to be clearly visible . Runners to be treated as intelligent adults...

Great answer.

Bar code tattooed on forehead.

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.

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.

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

[dominion]

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.

[stumpy]

issue every runner with a barcode instead of a number (like Park Run) which is scanned at every CP.

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?

[fozzy]

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?

Hence why SI is the more reliable option.

I will be sending my comments to email address when I get chance to write the email.

[Wheeze]

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!