Shepherd's Skyline

[crumblydown]

Today was one of those days made for being out ont'hills - superb turnout and even managed a pb despite not really trying too hard & even letting 2 Fell ponies overtake on the last descent (if only I'd known it was those 2.......).

Wycoller - Thank you for your concern - I didn't go over, more a splosh in a boggy bit - perhaps I re-living my childhood.

Ere what's up with us 2 just goes to prove old ponies keep going.

[Funzle22]

Does anybody know the reason that body cover was required today? There was nothing on the website and it seems the decision was made today on the basis of the conditions (which were pretty much perfect). Im curious because I had to run half a mile back to the car to get a top and missed the start by 5 minutes. I dont want to run down Todmorden who are top quality race organisers I just felt it was a little officious.

I started fell running this year and have done races in far worse conditions with small numbers of competitors and less marking but not needed any kit.

Great race though I enjoyed it as best I could.

[parky]

Does anybody know the reason that body cover was required today?

Funzle,
Have a read of the "FRA Safety Requirements for Fell Races" which is on pages 11-14 of the current fixtures calendar. In particular, read section 9 "Equipment" (top of page 13).

Far from being over-officious, the organisers were just trying their best to enforce the current rules. It was quite windy and cool on the tops and if you damaged something and had to limp off you would have *very* quickly chilled and risked hypothermia dressed in just a damp vest and shorts.

If you were organising a fell race in November you would be plain stupid to ignore the phrase which prefixes the rules: "Failure to implement the FRA safety requirements could invalidate an organiser's FRA membership or race permit".

Keith Parkinson. (used to be the Shepherds Skyline organiser but just take photos these days).

[Stagger]

Fair point Parky.
I walked to almost the top of the first climb and out of the sun it was chilly and I had 3 layer's on.

[Tussockface]

Today was one of those days made for being out ont'hills - superb turnout and even managed a pb despite not really trying too hard & even letting 2 Fell ponies overtake on the last descent

Yes Manhar, it was a classic afternoon: sharp autumn light and very good conditions compared with last year, which I recall as distinctly sloshy. Congrats on a pb on your return! I had you in sight but finished half a dozen places behind.

Thanks to all the marshals and helpers, including Jolliver Jim on race registration, who fielded my coy enquiry about Fell Ponies with adroitness...

[parky]

There were 70 runners in the junior races at the Skyline today!
Here are the results.



Keith Parkinson.

p.s. I've got hundreds of photos to put on the website and they will begin to appear over the next few days when/if I get some time.

[Tussockface]

And thanks for your support, Stagger. Good luck tomorrow.

[Funzle22]

Thanks for the reply Parky,

Well I see the organisers dilemma and I guess it raises questions about the guidelines themselves more than anything. "The organisers MAY"... part in particular. I’m still learning, so in future I will bring my full FRA pack to every race, and after October to the start line everytime. However if you feel there was a hypothermia risk today would that not mean 80% of races have one as well? My first race was in February this year at Ilkley, it was very cold and yet there were no restrictions so you can see my confusion. Were Ilkley risking their race permit?

Ultimately, given the conditions were near perfect for the time of year, the website could have stated that body cover was a definite requirement as it seems without the sudden onset of July conditions that was always going to be the case. Experienced runners will have been prepared but through experience rather than any genuine belief that body cover was necessary, though I may be misjudging the conditions and the attitudes of runners completely.

Once again thanks to Todmorden for organising a great race. A friend who had the same problem has written to the organiser who has responded with a detailed and similar explanation. Much appreciated.

[Tussockface]

Personally, I'm quite glad that the guidelines offer scope to race organisers to differ. Tighter restrictions promote a uniformity which in my opinion sits badly with the idiosyncracies of a sport practised for the most part by Crazy People.
My advice would be to always arrive at a race with full kit just in case, and to respect the decision of the organiser whatever it may be. Even if that decision seems barking mad, at the end of the day the organiser has made the race possible, put a huge commitment into it, and will carry the can in a law court if anything goes wrong. All of us who run have a duty to support him or her.
Wherever possible though, it would be helpful to runners if organisers could indicate minimum kit requirements in advance. To take today's event as an example, conditions are unlikely to ever be better, so 'Competitors to carry windproof cover as a minimum' could be advertised ahead of the race. This is particularly helpful where (as today) people have to park a long way from the race HQ.
However, conditions on the day - even in midsummer - can force organisers to stipulate full kit right up to the last moment, so it is sensible for runners either to arrive early enough to park close enough to the HQ to switch kit after registration, or else turn up with a full bum bag anticipating the worst.

[Funzle22]

I agree with alot of what you say Tussock, though Im still confused as to how inconsistency in safety kit requirements protects anyone legally. Surely in shorter races safety could be left up to the runner who has signed away responsibility from the club when signing up to the race. I also hope that decisions that seem barking mad as you put it can be questioned and discussed without ever taking away from the fact that the questioner respects and appreciates the efforts and sacrifices made by the organisers. I always do as they provide me with a hobby I love and often, as with Tod Harriers, do an excellent job of it.