I'll second that.Originally Posted by Chris
I have nothing against anyone wishing to carry their mobile when out running or racing, personal choice - fine. I chose not too 95% of the time, and would go nowhere near any event that it was compulsory to carry one.
Are the FRA Safety Rules being used to protect the runners or the organisers?
Probably to protect both. Also to help the people that might be tasked with rescuing someone from a tricky situation.
But the problem is that when a rule is brought in at one race, it quickly becomes common practice.
I am one that often runs with my mobile anyway.
But lack of such technology has already created a problem with 3 peaks entry. Will we all be required to enter online before long?
That's life though - remember buying houses in the 80's and the damp proof course requirement. It soon came to pass that all houses had to have one even if the house didn't need it.
I honestly could not see this happening if it ever went to court.One of these days a race organisor will get in to a lot of trouble because someone is going to have an accident and get in to a serious situation. If they haven't had a proper kit check it will come back to the organisor.
If the organiser of a race stipulates that certain kit must be carried and all entrants of that race are clearly informed of this then that's as much as the organiser could reasonably be expected to do. In my opinion a kit check is above and beyond what a reasonable court of law might expect.
If an accident was to happen and this accident was deemed to be down to some lack of required equipment how exactly do you envisage an organiser getting into a lot of trouble given that participants have been informed of risks and responsibilities?
I am assuming that race entrants are all adults in the eyes of the Law, if children were involved there would be much more of a Duty of Care from the organiser towards them.
Havin nearly frozen my balls off on the latter stages of the Tour of Pendle, I'm all for compulsory kit requirements. Even in the summer the weather can be awful (the first half of Borrowdale this year) and I'd imagine we've all seen weather turn from lovely to god awful in no time at all, so starting conditions or weather forcasts can't be used as reasons to not take the kit either.
A mobile though isn't what I'd call a kit requirement.
This is what you sign up to for the Edale:
"I confirm that I am familiar with the requirements of the Edale Skyline Race. I also hereby absolve and discharge and undertake to relieve and indemnify the organizer, officials and advisers of all liability for any death, injury or loss I or my family or other dependants may suffer while participating in or attending the Edale Skyline Race or as a consequence of my so doing. I understand the nature and effect of signing this document, that it has legal consequences for me and my family and dependants and that I have had time to consider it and take legal advice on it before signing. I declare that I am an amateur as defined by UK Athletics Rules. I am at least 18 years old on 30 March 2008 and take part in the Edale Skyline Race entirely at my own risk. I understand that the Skyline is a long distance race over difficult terrain which requires navigational skills and it may be held in poor weather conditions".
Given all of that, I think the organisers are absolutely in the clear, should a competitor unfortunately have a very bad day.
It was mentioned we will not need GPS in the future due to having a map and a compass.
So why do we have whistles? I was guessing it was to summon help in case of accident?
p.s still not bothered if I carry a phone. Although carried one for the RAB and I managed to break it. New model Samsung worth £300 new. Could buy a few whistles for that!
This situation has occured in a New Zealand race:
..race organiser Astrid Andersen walked away from the Christchurch District Court on Friday relieved that she had escaped a prison term but was sentenced to pay a $10,000 fine after being found guilty earlier this month on a charge of Criminal Nuisance. The conviction resulted from the death of a competitor, Vanessa Caldwell in the 2001 "Le Race".
what kind of comment is that
It is designed to stimulate conversation and make people think about the reasons behind the rules and, perhaps, discuss issues that they would not normally consider.
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