This is one of the conversations the hubby had with me on Saturday night after the race. It seems most think it's totally ok to do it. On the start line he heard one conversation where they were on about the clag being down and one of the guys said "I'll be ok. I've downloaded the track to my watch." Another conversation between a runner and a very well know fell runner went like this "So how do I start that track on my watch?" It seems it's totally acceptable.Originally Posted by ba-ba
Personally we think it's no better than sandpapering your balls in cricket. This conversation was had a few weeks ago and someone actually said "It's no different to local guys recceing the course." It's completely different. We went up to cp1 on Friday to recce a bit of if and the hubby made a decision on the line to take. In retrospect he made the wrong decision as it was so close to start that even in 10mtr visibility there was a lot of following going on. The real skill came at the end dropping off Slieve Commedagh where he took a compass bearing and hit the line he wanted to almost spot on. Fell running is not just about who can get around the quickest, it's about knowing how to navigate your way around a course with a map and compass (not a bloody electronic devise), it's about being able to tackle the technical climbs (the hubby need to improve his climbing), it's about knowing the skills to tackle technical descents, it's about you and the fells. If they want a marked course then do a trail race and keep off the fells. The hubby will never win a race but where he comes in one is through his own hard work.
For it to be voiced so unashamedly on the start line just goes to show how some feel. Make it known that it is not acceptable to follow an electronic track in a race. How many places were not a true reflection of that race on Saturday? Blooming shame I call it.
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