The idea of wearing numbers, usually folded on shorts is just plain selfish. As someone who has stood at the end of a finish funnel or on a remote mountaintop attempting to accurately record numbers literally hundreds of times I can safely assure you that numbers on shorts or folded numbers anywhere else is difficult. Why would someone deliberately make it difficult for the RO who is organising a race on their behalf, not for any other reason but on behalf of the people who are running his or her race ! I presume that most people are racing for a time and a position so why make it difficult for the people attempting to accurately record that by placing unnecessary obstacles in their way, Unobscured, unfolded waterproof numbers worn on the chest is what is called for, not difficult is so why the problem ?
Some people should try wearing the Race organisers hat for a day and get a sense of the worry and stress and the amount of work which can be involved, not just on the day or night of the race but pre planning, negotiating with farmers and landowners, flagging, de flagging etc etc and trying to think of everything to get it right on the day so that its enjoyable and safe for everyone who enters and runs. It's not easy,in my opinion the new rules and guidelines are not to going to make it more difficult. I come from an era in our sport where there were no rules only those imposed by individual race organisers. We don't live in those times anymore unfortunately, the Fra has listened to everyone and made changes, they are organising regional events to talk to RO and are looking at ideas and suggestions for best practice.....let's get on with.
