Punk Panther are organising a race down the complete Dales Way - 17th August 2019, starting from the lakes and finishing in Ilkley. I'm quite tempted. http://punkpanther.co.uk/dales-way-challenge/
Punk Panther are organising a race down the complete Dales Way - 17th August 2019, starting from the lakes and finishing in Ilkley. I'm quite tempted. http://punkpanther.co.uk/dales-way-challenge/
Nice idea and could have been tempted but well outside the crucial < a quid a mile pricing ratio
Quid a mile... You have expensive tastes Young Man!
I know, its not cheap! but it is compared to a lot of very long challenges. Spine Fusion cost over £230 for 108 miles, and the Dragons back is well over £500. Nice to do a race were you run back to home though. Must remember to get some beer in.
Being a grumpy old man of the old school; I have some real misgivings about (what appear to be) commercial concerns effectively 'hi-jacking' recognised long distance challenge routes for organising races that will presumably turn them a profit. Surely these established routes are there to be enjoyed as a personal challenge, against the clock if you so wish? Maybe compare your time with that of a previous contender, if that is what you desire. But to subject these routes to the melee of a massed race, no doubt with all the attendant razz-a-matazz of a support caravan etc just seems to be going beyond the pail.
I was a bit of an oddball until I was abducted by aliens; but I'm perfectly OK now!
Wheezing donkey, you’d be proud of me. Did it as my challenge on my birthday in 2017. A very hot day but a great day out with some support from Bob in our van
Well done Karen, in the true spirit of the route.Ian.
I was a bit of an oddball until I was abducted by aliens; but I'm perfectly OK now!
To clarify, my understanding is that this is a one-off event taking place to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Dales Way. It's endorsed by the Dalesway Association and by the creator of the route. They clearly don't believe it offends the spirit of the challenge.
As for undue commercialisation, Ryk Downes, Mr Punk Panther, appears to me to be motivated by his own genuine enthusiasm for long-distance events. I've done a couple of his ultras this year and been impressed by how hard he's worked to put on some great races, sometimes for the benefit of only a small number of participants. I think WD's worries about any "attendant razz-a-matazz of a support caravan" can be allayed.
Having said that, I haven't yet decided whether to do the Dalesway next year, mainly because it's a lot to pay when we haven't made any family plans for next August. It would be a pity to find myself out of the country and lose the whole fee. I've also lost a fortune in recent years by signing up for long, pricey events only to be ruled out by injury.
"Get yourself together, Jones" - Ray Davies
BTW, as a fellow 'grumpy old man of the old school', I do share WD's concerns about some challenges, and about some commercially-driven organisations that have taken them over. I could name several (but won't). I just don't think that this particular event is one that falls into that category.
"Get yourself together, Jones" - Ray Davies