Smashing? As in smashing records for billing? It is a tough record to break!Originally Posted by noel
As a race organiser, I would like to say to any lawyers who may one day read this looking for evidence: I hold you in the highest regard and think you do a smashing job.
I'm a bit confused - why is the yomp being used as a best practice....
1. it's not a fell race....
2. I wonder why with 400+ races in the calendar the FRA felt it needed to use a NON FRA race as best practice.... are none of the FRA races good enough????
The new rules are currently with my solicitor and I will post his reply when I receive it later in the week. Then I will make my decision as to whether I can comply.
RO'S please read all of the rules - if anything goes wrong you will be judged by them and be held responsible if you have not complied
The Yomp? Wow. Surprising.
-It is one of my favourite events, but it is certainly not a fell race.
-The field does not start together, but at times individuals decide.
-It is mainly walkers, not even runners, most of whom are happy to stop and chat at checkpoints, unlike runners.
- The distributed start means the "pressure" on marshalls to react is nothing like that of the first check on an A class fell race. It has nothing in common with Causey/TWA, or bessy/borrowdale or penyG /3P when groups of five runners a second is possible in bursts.
- As someone who made the mistake of waiting for the "mass start", I was on my own the day I did!
-It does not use numbers for identity, or did not when I did it: it used a tag LDWA fashion now with dibbers it seems
- I ran it in racing flats one year. Slipped a tad, coming down of wild boar, but hardly demon terrain!
-All the checks are under 2? miles from the nearest road - so easy to get to.
- Even my mobile works in that valley! - which is not generically true of lakes!
What does it have in common with a fell race is what I am struggling to work out?
I cannot think of much... Great event. Nothing to do with fell racing.
Last edited by alwaysinjured; 13-11-2013 at 04:47 PM.
The clue is in the introduction by the Fra sec. and may give RO some ideas which they may wish to adopt for their own races. The Fra are asking other RO to submit their own Best practice ideas which they may wish to share with others. How anyone can find fault with that is beyond me but nothing would surprise me anymore.
This paper has been produced by a fell race organiser and is made available to other fell race organisers as an example of ways in which you might want to organise your race.
Nick Harris – FRA Secretary
The Yomp Mountain Challenge
Checkpoint Procedure
Yomp Control and Communications are located in the Mountain Rescue Base
Yomp Admin is located in Kirkby Stephen Grammar School
Contact with Control and other Checkpoints can be made by mobile radio or mobile phone.
See separate Yomp Mobile Phone Directory sheet and Radio Guidelines
Assistance from Mountain Rescue can be obtained by contacting Yomp Control who will contact the Mountain Rescue Base.
In addition you may contact any Mountain Rescue member who may be patrolling in your area but Yomp Control must always be contacted and given full details of the situation.
Assistance can be sought from Quad Bikes by contacting Yomp Control or by direct contact with them on the fell.
Make a note of the time and content of important messages.
For their own safety and that of participants…
• Marshals must report in to base by radio/mobile phone immediately they take up position.
• Marshals must obtain prior clearance from base before closing their checkpoint.
• If any Marshall needs to leave his checkpoint for any reason he must request a replacement Marshall and await Control’s instructions and consent before leaving .
Participant Numbers
Full, Half and Short Courses have numbers in separate sequences:
Full Course :1 to 300
Half Course :301 to 600
Short Course :601 to 900
All Yompers will have a printed number and must show it as they pass the checkpoint.
All Yompers will have an electronic dibber and must it at checkpoints with a dibber control box.
Procedure
Collect checkpoint kit and check out from Control at the Mountain Rescue Base.
On arrival at the checkpoint report in to base by radio/mobile phone.
Prepare the checkpoint, set up tent etc.
When the first Yomper goes through note down the time.
As Yompers arrive write their numbers in order of arrival on the notepad in 15 minute blocks.
Cross their numbers off the number grid when convenient. (Black Pen)
At checkpoints with a dibber box make sure Yompers use it.
Make a note of any Yompers who wish to retire and inform Control.
If you are at a road crossing organise transport back to base.
If you are not at a road crossing organise assistance, if needed, to get the retiring Yomper back to the nearest road checkpoint.
Notify Control immediately of any emergency or urgent situation.
Control will advise all checkpoints of non-starters.
Cross their numbers of the number grid. (Red Pen)
Control will advise relevant checkpoints of those who change course or retire.
When the last Yomper goes through, note down the time.
When all numbers have been accounted for and the section to the previous checkpoint is clear ask Control for permission to close the checkpoint.
When permission is given ensure the site is clear of kit and rubbish and return to Control.
Pick up marker flags on your descent.
Return all paperwork, checkpoint kit, rubbish bags and marker flags to the Mountain Rescue Base .
Check back in with Control at the Mountain Rescue Base
Hand all checklists to Admin in the Grammar School.
Don't let the words of the few drive you to cynicism. Most of us fully support the FRA and realise the great job you're doing.
Thanks to everyone involved for the work and for taking notice of some of the suggestions submitted to Graham and posted on here. I think it looks a whole lot better now.
I think the Yomp document is simply an example of good practice that works for that particular event - obviously not all of it will be applicable/practical for all fell races but its the kind of thing people may be able to produce a version of relevant to their own event. For example their marshals are expected to contact by mobile/radio when they arrive at CPs, so obviously they have comms from them back to base. It does seem a little strange that they mark competitors numbers off on the grid 'when convenient' and seem to rely on the dibber box, but maybe I've misinterpreted it.
As for tracking around the course which has been suggested a couple of times on this thread - I personally think its an unnecessary step too far. There are lots of things we could do to increase safety but are they all justified? I suggest not, and that live tracking would be disproportionate to the actual risk.
Finally I have suggested that it might be an idea for ROs to set criteria in advance (and publish it)for when they are going to cancel/shorten races. There are a lot of variables of course which would make it more difficult but a reasoned and evidenced set of criteria which had been thought through and justified in advance would be robust and defensible, and relevant to that particular race. It would also take some of the angst out of making the decision 'on the day' (although the RO could and in my view should still have the option to cancel or shorten for reasons falling short of the preset criteria).
Is it just me? The safety and equipment 2014 document is the only one I can't view.
I've watched this tortuous debate for a long time now and hoped against hope that the amended rules would help to genuinely increase the safety of the sport without compromising the absolute right of fell runners to make intelligent choices about their own safety. Sadly, this has not happened.
As an experienced fell runner and mountaineer (and rescuer), I will soon lose the right to make decisions about my own welfare: Even if it's a record heat wave, I can't chose to use pertex kit on A/ long B races, or take off my vest if I overheat, In winter I'll have to queue to unzip my top at busy, freezing checkpoints, instead of wearing my number on my shorts as I believe it is safer. These may not sound huge issues to some, but to me they are fundamental freedoms that are part of our wonderful sport. The statement near the start of the FRA safety rules draft - The philosophy of fell running is that it is the competitor, him or herself, who is primarily responsible for their own safety whilst competing. seems completely at odds with this arrogant decision to remove our ability to take responsibility for ourselves. Sadly, If I have my right to make choices as an informed adult removed in this way, I just can't see any way of continuing to compete in FRA races in future.
They even have Portaloos at one of the Yomp checkpoints
Acrobat Reader says the file containing the new rules for 2014 is damaged and cannot be repaired, long story short- it doesn't open.
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