Glad to see the new initiative is taking place per the post on main site.
On a different issue:
I really don't want to see marked courses, do not think it is practical, and it would detract from the sport
I do think the dialogue between me and IanD hit on a useful idea, don't know how widely it is considered.
Perhaps a solution for Lakeland A races is to run them in pairs EXCEPT for those who can prove they are experienced runners over that specific course and only then in better weather. If conditions are poor, then no exceptions: run in groups which must not separate..
So that no “new runners” on any A course are ever left alone, and none are left alone in wintry conditions of low visibility.
That one measure possibly would have helped in the case of all of the fatalities I am aware. It is easier to see hypothermia in someone else, than yourself, and clearly a second person can raise the alarm immediately of any occurence. As far as I am aware (correct if wrong) there have been no fatalities in pairs events? In the fellsman you cannot proceed beyond some checkpoints except in groups, and if weather turns nasty during an event (as opposed the start)
Of course the course record/ race winner/ top ten types may have a problem with that , but it is the fell "runners" association rather than fell racers, so mid to back of the packers like yours truly would be happy with it.
And on a reasonable day, the top people can still race. They generally stay together in championship races for the first few checks anyway.
