didn't think the registration thing would be practical for fell races, but scanning a barcode attached to a race number at the start and end might be (but wouldn't account for people going missing mid-race as it wouldn't be apparent until the race had "finished" and you still wouldn't be able to account for people who get lost and find their own way back "home")...at least you'd know the exact number of people starting.....
5k is a bit short for me!
Not quite sure what your point is.. I don't think you are a renegade at all.. cliche'd posts give nothing.. a renegade would at least have an influence.Originally Posted by fellgazelle
For all AI has recieved abuse he's made some good comments, I disagree with him about UKA's involvement, I think it can work better they are stood in the tent pissing out than outside pissing in.. all this 'lets split' just causes more and more issues. But his safety officer point, for one, is a worth while addition. Its something that will change all the time, life moves on, the rules need to.
Fell running is now more open that ever before, so has new challenges, total novices racing. You've seen it on here, 'if you aren't confident to run solo do a race'.. the risk RO's are under are considerable and if after 1 tragedy the FRA didn't reassess.. even if the changes would have had no influence on that days events.. and another tragedy happens as a result of ignoring suggestions the sport will take a huge hit.
All this 'mountains heed no rules'.. I wonder how much you get out.. they don't but as I said, courts and coroners and families do..
I think it depends on the size of the race.. I think the scanning is excellent.. the system is there, already proven.
Mass repeating bar code readers is easy, and with wrist band based marks the runner is easily able to speed it up.
FRA should say what they are trying to achieve, leave the RO to find the most expedient way to achieve it, numbering systems, marshalls etc, with reference to size of field, course and conditions. For a parkland race up and down one hill, the rules are a sledgehammer cracking a nut. Badly.
Those numbering/ marshalling sections of the "old version" were one of the first things to irritate wynn ( other than not recieving them long ago before they first became tablets of stone, leaving Her to discover them recently). Point was they were sending her ROs to come and see how to do it "properly" only to outlaw some aspects of what she did, without even asking her first. The drafts have then changed without version control, so hard to know what or when was updated since or whether she can comply with modified.. There is a newer version under consideration, but not by such as her to comment. Shambles is the word that springs to mind. Such as wynn ( and witton) by should have been invited to sit on the RO side of the " virtual" table, with FRA committee represented the other to balance the views that went in, and at least guarantee all present races did not have a problem.
Last edited by alwaysinjured; 02-11-2013 at 03:13 PM.
Yeah.. I suppose blanket rules are hard, the problem is making sure the right rules for the right race.. the obvious one would be AM/AL's to be separate to the BS, BM but I bet even with that there will be exceptions.
Even amongst the AL there are big differences in hazard,time of year. potential for going off route etc.
That, and the way safety documentation is normally done is the reason why I think an RO should produce a custom document detailing course/hazards /numbering/ marshalling instructions/ runner instructions ( checkpoint instructions in both the previous) tailored to the event, with very few overriding rules, then guidance and templates on what should be in the document( eg a means of dual counting at finish - whatever ). FRA give permit or indicate where they think it needs beefing up: then having said what they do, RO prove due care by doing what they say, and revising if need be around practical problems experienced.
Last edited by alwaysinjured; 02-11-2013 at 03:54 PM.
I wouldn't go the barcode route, RFID wristbands a possibility as one option available to ROs.
Another valid option depending on resources.
The advantage of a printed number/ barcode is they could be made cheap disposable, and irremovable other than cutting off, RFId are more expensive?
Perhaps worth trialling?
The takeaway is leave the method to organisers...depending on race and conditions.
I gather SHRA have used numbered wristbands.
It's once again blatantly obvious that you have never ever in your life organised a fell race. I've been at one today talking to runners and organisers alike who live in the real world of fell running and their thoughts and comments are far removed from the kind of mindset you seem to have.
Master Bates, we know the main of people just turn up and run but this discussion is about the rules, the organisers, FRA and possible litigation.
PS I have organised a race, but could never guarantee it was hazard free. Because it wasn't.
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