As a Race organiser since I first heard of the tragic events on the Buttermere race, I have been awaiting, and anticipating the consequences arising from the inquest and subsequent Coroners report.
I have been following this issue with interest and increasing concern, through the media, the numerous statements, and pre-empted drafts of rule changes sent to members and RO’s from the FRA Ltd committee, and also comments made through this thread.
At the beginning on the Forum we had individuals discussing if they would have to buy some new waterproof kit, run topless or not able to fold there numbers in half, looking at the bigger picture and how things have transpired, this seems all inconsequential.
Most of the rules which the committee have imposed on kit I agree with in principal, and are only common sense, they are mainly rules that have been in place and are only being enforced, anyone with any Mountain craft or knowledge of the hills would not dream of venturing out without this kit for an A cat race or day in the hills, and they only serve to protect and reduce the risk for the competitor.
The main point of concern I feel is that the very essence and heart of the sport, the low key Fell Race is in danger of being lost.
The likes of the Three Peaks with its corporate sponsorship and ever increasing fees will survive the changes, they will have at there disposal the resources needed to fulfil the requirements imposed by the new rule changes, training of marshals, electronic scoring, even field hospitals and helicopters if they wanted!
Races for instance like, Borrowdale with large fields, should survive, but what about the vast majority of races in the calendar those which attract less than 100 runners, charging nominal fees, entry on the day, only wanting to cover costs, relying on limited number of volunteers and resources, how are they going to survive, and find the investment to buy survival tents and communication devises etc, I have borrowed the FRA radios when or if a more established race doesn’t require them on the day, and they are only directional, and at my race location were totally inadequate, only being able to contact the marshal monitoring traffic on the road at the start, mobile phones also have limited signal so cannot be relied on.
I have entered my race for 2014 under the FRA/UKA rules and insurance, hoping that in the meantime some safety rules that are tenable are produced, and support for RO’s by the FRA Ltd n the event of an incident occurring during an event is forth coming.
But as I see it we are being used as Guinea Pigs and Scape Goats left to fend for ourselves in any future court case arising if forbid a similar tragedy occurs.
I don’t confess to have intricate knowledge of the laws, let the legal buffs sort that one out, all I want to do is organise a Fell Race to give something back to the sport, but who in there right mind would stick there neck on the line, risk legal action, or loose there house, never mind have the audacity to even ask anyone to volunteer to help marshal the course and put themselves in the same position on your behalf.
I will wait and see over the winter months what transpires and hope that common sense prevails, if not I feel I will have no choice but to cancel the race.