101 uses for a mobile!

[No map, no compass]

Wouldn't disagree with that.

As someone who has run lots of solo miles you should be better at finding your way round a race than many.

The difference is that when out on ones own you know that you are entirely responsible for getting round so are paying attention to where you are, but in a race it is all to easy to follow and only half pay attention, leaving you in the shit when whoever you are following disappears over the crest of the hill or into the mist.

I know someone who ended up in the wrong valley on Blisco Dash in brilliant sunshine, then again they do run for Helm Hill

[No map, no compass]

Maybe in future race organisers will operate a call centre for lost runners to phone for directions.

[CribGoch]

The difference is that when out on ones own you know that you are entirely responsible for getting round so are paying attention to where you are, but in a race it is all to easy to follow and only half pay attention, leaving you in the shit when whoever you are following disappears over the crest of the hill or into the mist.

Would agree with that. Always easy to get lost in a race simply because you dont always focus on the nav and simply follow the person in front. It takes a lot of confidence to break off and follow your own route. This also gets harder as you get more tired. When youre on your own you have no choice but to navigate for yourself.

[CribGoch]

As for mobile phones being compulsory:-

Sad really, another small gain for those who want to make things safer. Being on your own on a long race in the mountains is part of the adventure. A phone just reduces the isolation (even if only in your mind) and detracts from the experience. I get the same feeling from following the slab paths instead of hacking across the moor.

Reminds me of Don Whillans quote on climbing walls:- "Climbing walls! Climbing walls! Where's the bloody adventure in climbing walls?"

[No Whistle]

This can happen even when you have done the race several times before, reccied it the week before and are a competent navigator.

I followed him!
If they want me to carry a phone I would, they're going to the trouble of organising the race, I'll grumble though, but I enjoy a grumble.
I'd be more impressed if they stepped up the kit requirements as well/instead, several races insist on waterproof full body cover with a hood, the 3 peaks cyclo-X specs an orange bivi bag. Mickey Mouse superlight windproofs should be kept for pleasant summer races.

[No map, no compass]

Only goes to show that you should never follow anyone!

Mobile phones - stupid idea if you ask me.

[The Famous Grouse]

No map, no compass, no whistle, what the hells going on here??

[Baggins]

But have presumably been very lucky in races.

I can assure you that it is very easy to get lost in a race in thick clag, probably much easier than when out on your own, as you tend to have your head down and are following whoever is in front, until they disappear along with the trod

This can happen even when you have done the race several times before, reccied it the week before and are a competent navigator.

In the races I've been in I only "follow" people who are going the right way and when I think they are not on the best line I go my own way

I think its sad that race organisers have kit requirments at all, in an ideal world people would take responsibility for their own safety

Bill

[No map, no compass]

No map, no compass, no whistle, what the hells going on here??

It's a kit check!

[IanDarkpeak]

I followed him!
If they want me to carry a phone I would, they're going to the trouble of organising the race, I'll grumble though, but I enjoy a grumble.
I'd be more impressed if they stepped up the kit requirements as well/instead, several races insist on waterproof full body cover with a hood, the 3 peaks cyclo-X specs an orange bivi bag. Mickey Mouse superlight windproofs should be kept for pleasant summer races.

Last years Edale kit requirement was full waterproof (With hood) body cover. A number of runners tried to pass off pertex as Waterproof but we sent them back to their car to put a better top in. We also told a number of runners that we advise them to carry more food, which they did and were thankful later.
At last years Tankies a large number of runners went the wrong way following a quicker runner. I was one of these Not this year though