New safety rules

[Alan]

I expected the new safety changes which are currently under review to feature quite strongly at the FRA AGM which took place after the Blisco Dash (the race which Woodzy and MorganW are discussing). However, despite the fact that the meeting was attended by at least two runners who are notorious for vest "non-compliance", there was no mention whatsoever of any of the changes during the discussion on fell running issues.

And before anybody says that there wouldn't be any point because the committee never listens (etc), during all the years I have been on the committee, I can honestly say that practically all the subjects which have been discussed at this important section of the AGM have been further discussed and acted upon during the year following the AGM.

Can't really comment myself (Graham, can you help?), but the problem of bare chests and numbers may be addressed to everybody's satisfaction by the use of the sort of tape which ladies use to hold up those impossible, gravity-defying strapless dresses??

[mr brightside]

I expected the new safety changes which are currently under review to feature quite strongly at the FRA AGM which took place after the Blisco Dash (the race which Woodzy and MorganW are discussing). However, despite the fact that the meeting was attended by at least two runners who are notorious for vest "non-compliance", there was no mention whatsoever of any of the changes during the discussion on fell running issues.

And before anybody says that there wouldn't be any point because the committee never listens (etc), during all the years I have been on the committee, I can honestly say that practically all the subjects which have been discussed at this important section of the AGM have been further discussed and acted upon during the year following the AGM.

Can't really comment myself (Graham, can you help?), but the problem of bare chests and numbers may be addressed to everybody's satisfaction by the use of the sort of tape which ladies use to hold up those impossible, gravity-defying strapless dresses??

People were invited to email Graham with comments which many will have done, not to air them at the AGM.

[that_fjell_guy]

I'd have thought that dibbers with the addition of the old style label sticker board would work as well as anything! I'm surprised that the sticker board system isn't still used tbh but I guess its all man power required, in addition to those on computers etc!.

[Alan]

People were invited to email Graham with comments which many will have done, not to air them at the AGM.

Yes I'm aware of those, and all those involved in this work are grateful for feedback, including comments on this forum.
But I'm still surprised that nothing whatsoever was discussed at the AGM.

[noel]

Noel, Jonathan Broxap was spotting and calling and I was writing furiously.

I am guessing that the next to no white background from a folded number gives definition problems for the eye, made worse if the shorts are dark coloured.

Yes, Jon was doing a great job. We were coming thick and fast at my part of the field.

I think you're right - definition against the background is probably an issue. Also, legs move faster than tummies.

[Lefty]

From an organisers point of view the finish funnel is all important. It should be wide enough at the entry point to capture everyone finishing. The actual finish line should be at a point where the funnel finally narrows enough for no more overtaking.the funnel should continue far enough to accommodate a line of runners ( stopped/finish/walking ) should this be necessary. At least 3 people should be in administering the funnel. One to keep the finishers in line, to slow them down enough for the number to be recorded and to ensure that their number can be identified by the number takers. The second person should be shouting the numbers out to the number taker. It's impossible for one person to write down numbers if they are constantly lifting their head from the recording sheet. The number takers should be positioned at the end of the finish funnel at its narrowest point ( Wide enough for only I person )
The finish sheet should be clear and easily readable and a weatherwriter board should be used in wet weather as should a pencil rather than a pen. Two more people may be needed for taking times or one if a printer stopwatch is used.
It's surprising just how some runners don't care that its difficult sometimes for the finish officials to read their numbers given that they have probably just run their tripe out to get a good finish position.
Whilst I'm not totally in agreement that all race numbers should always begin at number one I can see the need for consecutive numbers. It's important that the finish officials know exactly how many runners have set off and this can easily be done by a count of the registration slips ( not taking into account the runners who register but don't set off or the person who registers a friend who doesn't even come to the race as happened to us at our Whinberry Naze Dash race )
At the Clougha Pike race a couple of years ago I witnessed a great method by the host club ( Bowland Fell Runners ? where before the start everyone had to pass through a start box , be counted and check that their numbers were easily readable, in my nearly 50 years of fell racing this is the first time I have seen this system used, it is possibly something which the Fra and other RO should consider as a great safety measure.

[Bob]

Dibber, solved that problem.
Then folks can run vest free.

See my last post about dibbers (or at least the logger boxes) failing.

wear an unfolded number on your vest. Problem solved.

if you want to be anarchic then don't run in an organised race.

[Stagger]

See my last post about dibbers (or at least the logger boxes) failing.

wear an unfolded number on your vest. Problem solved.

if you want to be anarchic then don't run in an organised race.

I think it should be the RO call and not a a hard and fast rule Bob.
I have never run vestless but would not stop any others of doing so.
Bofra count the runners out before the event and then back in. More my style and still a sensible committee.

[Bob]

I think it should be the RO call and not a a hard and fast rule Bob.
I have never run vestless but would not stop any others of doing so.
Bofra count the runners out before the event and then back in. More my style and still a sensible committee.

But you still need a set of base rules that the RO can work from. Look at how much confusion happens over full body cover.

bofra races are very short and usually out and back routes. When you have a long Lakeland race you have to be more proactive.

Vestless? This is fell running not the bloody Chipendales!

[Stagger]

But you still need a set of base rules that the RO can work from. Look at how much confusion happens over full body cover.

bofra races are very short and usually out and back routes. When you have a long Lakeland race you have to be more proactive.

Vestless? This is fell running not the bloody Chipendales!

Fair point Bob.
BUT
The FRA needs to look at the bigger picture. Take Wasdale surly ditching waterproof pants, and gloves and taking mandatory fluids would have been a better call on the day.

Guide lines are great but thats what they should be, not rules set in concrete.