Blubberhouses 25

[Jez Hellewell]

I know it's about 7 or 8 months till this event, but just looking again at the route description as there were two places this year where I lost ground to one or two runners ahead of me who seemed to go a little off the route. I had thought with this type of event you were supposed to stick to the described route, as opposed to being a simple point to point event with route choice your discretion.

1) at Bolton Abbey, taking the road rather than the footpath that is next to the river in the section described below:
Leave Checkpoint through gate in south enclosure wall then following track for 1.5 miles descending to
junction (GR 093 567). Take RH track down to Bolton Park farm (please shut gates). Continue downhill
on access road to reach Wooden Bridge (do not cross). Turn L on riverside path to gate/stile, turn L to
cross Footbridge or Ford.

2) Around the shooting hut on Denton Moor just before the checkpoint before Timble, taking a route through the woods (reverse section of the start of round hill fell race) rather than over the moorland to the right of the woods (as per final section of round hill fell race).

Anyone got a view on whether it is allowed/acceptable to gain an advantage by making these individual route choices [edit:] on this particular event?

Ben

Same thing on The Trollers Trot Ben. People coming down off Rylstone Moor descending in a straight line instead of sticking to the windy path. Also, taking the road section just on from Barden instead of sticking to the official, riverside path. This used to be an LDWA & was therefore slightly more relaxed about route choice. However, some people still get pretty uppity about it. Toni & I got shouted at a few years back following the chap in front, innocently, as he took the road option. I do, however, always stick to the route description. It's there for a reason !

Also, I NEVER waste my beer as you'll find out on Saturday.

[Multiterrainer]

Just read the route description on the LDWA website and this appears to have been updated after this year's event (June 2014 update) but it's very specific at both those points so yes, bad form if you ask me. However I notice that checkpoint 7 is now at Ellacarr Pike as opposed to where the track turned right towards the Round Hill finish - I wonder whether this is to put a stop to people going through the forest?

Also, out of interest, which way did you/others go from the start down to Swinsty, down the road (as per the route description) or down through the fields? I know I did the latter in 2013 simply by following most, if not all, of the faster starters.

[Martyn P]

Just read the route description on the LDWA website and this appears to have been updated after this year's event (June 2014 update) but it's very specific at both those points so yes, bad form if you ask me. However I notice that checkpoint 7 is now at Ellacarr Pike as opposed to where the track turned right towards the Round Hill finish - I wonder whether this is to put a stop to people going through the forest?

Also, out of interest, which way did you/others go from the start down to Swinsty, down the road (as per the route description) or down through the fields? I know I did the latter in 2013 simply by following most, if not all, of the faster starters.

Hmm. It never occurred to me that it was anything OTHER than through the fields But then, this is a local training route for me that I've done loads of times and I just assumed it was that way.... I've never actually done the event! Those fields are really full of cattle divots too and enough cow s*it to fertilise Belgium. I might avoid from this point onwards.

[benshep]

Like everyone this year (I think), I took the road route at the start, as per the described route. I don't think anyone went through the fields.

Just read the route description on the LDWA website and this appears to have been updated after this year's event (June 2014 update) but it's very specific at both those points so yes, bad form if you ask me. However I notice that checkpoint 7 is now at Ellacarr Pike as opposed to where the track turned right towards the Round Hill finish - I wonder whether this is to put a stop to people going through the forest?

Also, out of interest, which way did you/others go from the start down to Swinsty, down the road (as per the route description) or down through the fields? I know I did the latter in 2013 simply by following most, if not all, of the faster starters.

[redeaston]

I did not see anyone go through the field at the start (I went along the road). I took the official route along the Wharfe at Bolton Abbey but went through the woods near the end. Going through the woods was a nav mistake of mine though and I have since been up there again so I know where I went wrong and I will follow the correct route next time. My take it that you should follow the route unless directed otherwise by a marshall etc.

[Fishy]

They normally have someone standing at the top of the path across the fields at the start, to stop people going that way.

[Multiterrainer]

They normally have someone standing at the top of the path across the fields at the start, to stop people going that way.

I did wonder, obviously not there in 2012 though!

[Multiterrainer]

Anyone else running this tomorrow?

[benshep]

Planning to

Anyone else running this tomorrow?

[Tussockface]

Might have a go. Haven't run a step for over two weeks due to flu, but might have an amble round (with pauses for coughing and expectoration) if EOD is allowed.