Originally Posted by
Stolly
I think check points in races aren't there primarily for safety and, with that in mind, shouldn't really have too much safety responsibility thrust upon them. The original reason for check points was surely to make sure runners were visiting the peak or route markers concerned (ie not cheating) rather than to look out for lost souls? For example the checkpoint on the Fairfield Horseshoe is at the summit windshelter at the half way point 5 miles in whereas the checkpoints of the Full Tour of Pendle are all over the place, probably no more than 2 miles apart on average due to its convoluted route. So just on checkpoint count, some races get closer scrutiny of where runners are than others. If you take that to its logical conclusion you'd have the barmy situation of enforced checkpoints at what every mile or something, making for really really boring race routes. For sure checkpoints should look after runners if they need to but the real business of looking for any one missing should be left to the end of the race. Certainly its only at the end that you can realistically tally who's finished and who's still out.
As for the Edale Skyline example, although runners are relatively high up for most of the race, making things dodgier in bad weather, its an easy race to bail from if a runner needs too (just head into the valley) so, in that respect, I'd say its a pretty safe race.
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