Steam Bunny Bluff

[Meanderthal]

Sounds an interesting idea.

In particular the tracker initiating a mountain rescue call out seems great on paper - however what is the failure rate of these trackers? When we did the south wales traverse last year using a tracker there were several hours where it didn't update as it required mobile phone reception (and one of these areas was the area of your race route)... How tough are these trackers, Is there a temp limit or water resistance and have these things been tested? If not there could be risk of a false MR call out (indeed, much better to a late, but needed call out)

Are there going to be any entry limitations?

Are these 'gadgets' going to increase the cost? Although I'd have thought that the increased simplicity should outweigh the costs at your end for sure (for example, Long Mynd Valleys Race needed 57 marshal's for the RO to feel the needs stipulated by new FRA rules covered...)

So it sounds an interesting plan to me, and I hope it works, and if it adds a new and testing AL to south wales, then great!

A Borrowdale of the south? Does that mean Dave is going to beat you again Ed?

[Ed D]

Is he balls! Mind you if I'm racing it I'll have a newborn baby as an excuse this time, rather than deciding breakfast isn't important before an AL race. It's Sam I'm worried about now, Dave seems to be trying out a KFC/takeaway diet at the moment from what I gather, and I can't see that paying off….

[Wheeze]

Thanks Meanderthal.
I'm awaiting a loan tracker so I can trial it. But they are in regular use in orienteering and long distance events in the UK like Dragons Back and The Spine events. I will liaise closely with MR about this. Anyone on this a forum an MR member with a POV?
The trackers use GPS technology and you can pay for varying levels of updates.
I am determined to keep the cost down. My target is £10-15. Currently, estimate is up front cost of £8 per head for the tech....but I might be able to squeeze a deal!
There will be pre-entry only and I am aiming for 100.

[Meanderthal]

I hope it all comes together as it sounds like a great way of reducing the faff and keeping the format simple, whilst maintaining the high level of knowledge about the racers which an RO needs in these (overly) litigious days.

Hopefully see you at the start line.

[Wheeze]

I hope it all comes together as it sounds like a great way of reducing the faff and keeping the format simple, whilst maintaining the high level of knowledge about the racers which an RO needs in these (overly) litigious days.
.

That pretty much sums up why I am doing it!

[Running-Fish]

the live tracking idea is great and i'm sure represents the way forward for fell running, not just in terms of safety but also for interest of non-participants. imagine being able to follow the progress of championship races on the net as they happen, although some of those with sneaky lines might not be so pleased.
in terms of the auto-response to a static tracker this may well be an issue at present. the technology isnt 100% robust, in the recent spine race there were instances of competitors appearing to have stopped only to find that it was a signal dead spot. however it is important that we use this hardware now as it will encourage future development and ultimately bring the costs down.
how about using mobile phones as an intermediate response. if competitors were asked, (not necessarily mandated), to carry a mobile the first repsonse to a static transponder would be to call that competitors mobile. if they didnt have one, or there was no response you could call the competitor who was next due to arrive at the spot and ask them to investigate.
this would also reinforce the ethos that competitors form part of the overall saftey package, another fell running tradition.

[Wheeze]

Good points RF, but personal experience around those parts confirms b*gger-all mobile signal. So I would not want to complicate matters by throwing in a dud requirement.
Basically need to track someone around the course on a trial basis...looks like me and Toffer for that one!

[Running-Fish]

yes it certainly wouldnt be something you could rely on 100% but might add another layer of potential response. i used a mobile to keep in touch with my support during the brecon 10 peaks and was surprised how good the coverage was, but obviously that's a bit further west and maybe the military's use of that area has meant investment in the mobile network.
if you're having radio/mobile contact with the marshall points you could relay messages to competitors via them asking to investiagte a stationary tracker. it's likely they could get there before the mrt.

[sore legs]

Wheeze,

I have used similar GPS trackers for military tasks and they have been fine. As pointed out earlier they do occasionally fail and suffer from a loss of signal but they are generally fine and a great safety device. I have known them be fantastic for locating a displaced person in the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains or even for checking that people have not gone into out of bound areas and taken the correct routes.

I will hopefully be back from my latest work trip in a couple of months so fingers crossed will be able to support as either a runner or additional helper.

Paul

[Wheeze]

Paul, I kinda hoped you would pop up out of the woodwork. Happy to rope you in, in whatever capacity!