New safety rules

[noel]

It alarms me that there are about 15 people on this thread who understand the issues. Of these maybe 70% are concerned to some extent.

But, there are about a further 25 people who have visited the thread and then concluded something like "It appears to be about five people talking to each other about arcane matters".

For me, this is an important issue that will directly affect:
how many races are organised in the future
how much it costs to enter fell races
and the types of races that may be lost from the calendar

Since many on the forum like the types of races that may at risk, I'll try to sum it up in a sentence:

The FRA has issued stricter safety guidance following a coroner's report, which some race organisers believe sets such unattainable standards that it would place many race organisers in an undefendable position should an accident occur.

And now the headline: There is no Anniversary Waltz in 2014 because of this.

[luxinterior]

It alarms me that there are about 15 people on this thread who understand the issues. Of these maybe 70% are concerned to some extent.

But, there are about a further 25 people who have visited the thread and then concluded something like "It appears to be about five people talking to each other about arcane matters".

For me, this is an important issue that will directly affect:
how many races are organised in the future
how much it costs to enter fell races
and the types of races that may be lost from the calendar

Since many on the forum like the types of races that may at risk, I'll try to sum it up in a sentence:

The FRA has issued stricter safety guidance following a coroner's report, which some race organisers believe sets such unattainable standards that it would place many race organisers in an undefendable position should an accident occur.

And now the headline: There is no Anniversary Waltz in 2014 because of this.

For me it is more an issue that this thread isn't the appropriate place and everything gets lost amongst the endless repetition

There is an email address to send any issues/concerns that people have - not sure if deadline has passed. Sticking them on here will mean they just get lost amongst everything else.

Also I think it is completely inappropriate to bad mouth the people involved in the FRA as they are simply volunteers who give up their free time to helps us have races.

[alwaysinjured]

Still being decided

Which is precisely why the thread is still important, and has not yet passed its sell by date..

And a couple of reasons some of the points keep getting repeated, is they are either (a) disputed, so need reinforcing (b) get separated by dross comments (such as suggesting the thread is closed!?- sorry Brian!)

(c) The sad fact that too many RO do not seem to see how important the rules issue is and the potential that rules could come back to bite them on the bum.

They really should inject their input, either by official channels or here to make sure the rules do work for THEM!!! They only have hours now before an important meeting..to make sure someone on the committee knows!

[Rev Richard]

It alarms me that there are about 15 people on this thread who understand the issues. Of these maybe 70% are concerned to some extent.

But, there are about a further 25 people who have visited the thread and then concluded something like "It appears to be about five people talking to each other about arcane matters".

For me, this is an important issue that will directly affect:
how many races are organised in the future
how much it costs to enter fell races
and the types of races that may be lost from the calendar

Since many on the forum like the types of races that may at risk, I'll try to sum it up in a sentence:

The FRA has issued stricter safety guidance following a coroner's report, which some race organisers believe sets such unattainable standards that it would place many race organisers in an undefendable position should an accident occur.

And now the headline: There is no Anniversary Waltz in 2014 because of this.

I was one of the 25 referred to in your second paragraph.

Then I read the headline in your last sentence.

How incredibly sad. Though I have great sympathy for the organisers in making that decision. I've only done the AW twice but it's been the highlight of my short and inglorious fell running career. I expect I speak for scores of back-of-the-field runners like myself when I say, what can we do, either in this particular or in the broader situation? I'm one of those who manage to get to only half a dozen races a year, but perhaps because of that we appreciate and enjoy them all the more.

[wynn]

Also I think it is completely inappropriate to bad mouth the people involved in the FRA as they are simply volunteers who give up their free time to helps us have races.

WTF.... you think RO'S/marshals get paid..... as a RO if anything happens at our races it's not the FRA that ends up having to deal with the police it's the RO and the thing we will be judged against is the rules...
example: in the rules it says..... "must not allow equipment that restricts hearing" "Must carry full body waterproof with taped seams and a hood, hat, gloves, whistle, map. compass, food and a fleece"
Does this mean we have to tell runners they have to carry but cannot wear a hat or hood as these are not allowed?????

[alwaysinjured]

For me it is more an issue that this thread isn't the appropriate place and everything gets lost amongst the endless repetition

There is an email address to send any issues/concerns that people have - not sure if deadline has passed. Sticking them on here will mean they just get lost amongst everything else.

Also I think it is completely inappropriate to bad mouth the people involved in the FRA as they are simply volunteers who give up their free time to helps us have races.

If you had followed the thread you would realise that BUT for this thread the original July rewrite as approved would likely have been reproduced verbatim into the book. This thread is more or less responsible for the inertia and questioning that stimulated recent changes and review. Some of the issues need discussion, rather than reproducing verbatim. Without the thread I doubt if some RO would even know some of the issues at stake, many I fear still don't

The meeting is tomorrow, so not much time to get new ideas in to someone on the committee.

And on the last paragraph, the boot has been on the other foot!

[luxinterior]

WTF.... you think RO'S/marshals get paid..... as a RO if anything happens at our races it's not the FRA that ends up having to deal with the police it's the RO and the thing we will be judged against is the rules...
example: in the rules it says..... "must not allow equipment that restricts hearing" "Must carry full body waterproof with taped seams and a hood, hat, gloves, whistle, map. compass, food and a fleece"
Does this mean we have to tell runners they have to carry but cannot wear a hat or hood as these are not allowed?????

Don't ask me - send an email as requested and I am sure it will be consider and you will get a reply. No point asking on here as it will just get lost amongst everything else

And yes I do know RO don't paid - however no one is bad mouthing them!

[Henry Porter]

I do think it is important and I think the thread has contributed to the process. The people who can make the decision need to get in a room with the best advisors they can and write the protocol as well as they can. It won't be perfect and never will be. Some people will take issue with it and others will get upset but it will work for a few years then it will all need to be done again. No doubt exactly that is in process.

The amusing irony is it will probably make no material contribution to safety and the constituency it has been set up to protect have little real interest in safety or they wouldn't be fell running in the first place.

[IainR]

Don't ask me - send an email as requested and I am sure it will be consider and you will get a reply. No point asking on here as it will just get lost amongst everything else

And yes I do know RO don't paid - however no one is bad mouthing them!

Who has really bad mouthed? TBH I think only AI has received stick... I don't think he's been rude, exasperated maybe.. I also see no problem with discussions on a forum... its the whole point of the ruddy thing...

[Witton Park]

Also I think it is completely inappropriate to bad mouth the people involved in the FRA as they are simply volunteers who give up their free time to helps us have races.

Well I'm "involved in the FRA" as a member, athlete and Race Organiser. I'm not on the committee but I am on the Lancashire AA Committee as Fell Secretary.

I'm with IainR on this. AI has been to the point, but hasn't crossed a line and I don't think anyone has on the forum.