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Races coming up...



Pendle Under 18 Race

Fri 7th Mar, 2014


The date of the Under 18s race has now been changed to Sunday 6th April 2014.  Entries are available on the day or on-line.


Middlefell Race Saved (Saturday March 15th)

Thu 6th Mar, 2014


Following the plea two days ago for someone to take on the organisation of the Middlefell race on Saturday 15th March, I’m very pleased to be able to announce that Adrian Hope has agreed to take it on and he has lined up a strong team to support him.  Amongst other prizes he has also been able to arrange a pair of Inov-8 shoes for the first man and first woman.   There is already a very competitive field lined up to take part, so I’m sure it will be a great race.  Proceeds will go to the local mountain rescue team.  Other details of the race can be found here.  Thank you to everyone who has made it possible for this race to go ahead.

Andy Butler, Fixtures Secretary



England U16 Squad camp

Wed 5th Mar, 2014


The next U16 England development squad day will be at Bolton on the 29th March ( 10:00-16:00 ). Application and consent forms are available and should be returned to graemewoodward@hotmail.com with a cheque payable to the FRA for £10.

Application form    Consent form



Middlefell (15/3/14) and Screes (18/10/14) Seek Organiser

Tue 4th Mar, 2014


The past organiser of these races, Steve Ashall is unable to organise them any more, although he will continue to organise the Eskdale Show race.  Middlefell and the Screes were registered in the expectation that he would be handing over to the new organiser before the races came around.  Unfortunately this has fallen through so both races are looking for a new organiser.  Time is very short for Middlefell (15th March), but Steve is willing to provide a handover.  If anyone can take either race on so that they aren’t lost from the calendar, please contact Steve at steve@westlakesadventure.co.uk or 07837 099525.



Cancelled - Wharfedale Off-Road Marathon Sat 7th June

Wed 26th Feb, 2014


The Wharfedale Off-Road Marathon on Saturday 7th June has been cancelled, however the Wharfedale Off-Road 1/2 Marathon will go ahead on the same date as planned.



Safety Requirements and Race Organiser’s Guidelines. Update

Tue 25th Feb, 2014


Safety Requirements – recent race organiser events.

The 8 events for race organisers to discuss the implementation of the new safety requirements proved to be a very positive experience. Over half of the 300 plus race organisers attended events held from Telford to Chester- le-Street.

Race Organiser Guidelines, Fell Running Philosophy, Framework.

The Committee has informed race organisers of its plans to:

  • Produce an overall framework for documents produced by the FRA

  • Draw up a fell running ‘philosophy’ statement

  • Develop new Race Organiser Guidelines for the 2015 Handbook which will include aspects of the Access and Environmental Guidelines and some of the Safety Requirements. This will allow a shorter Safety Requirements document to be issued when this is next reviewed.

Safety Requirements

The Committee has concluded that race organisers now seek a period of stability to implement the current requirements and so it has no plans for any major review before 2016 at the earliest.

Consultation

Race organisers have been reassured that they will be invited to play an active role in the various consultative processes planned to produce the documents indicated above.

Nick Harris  Secretary   18.2.2014



Lad's Leap Sunday 30th March

Thu 20th Feb, 2014


The date of Lad's Leap was changed after the handbook went to press, so for the avoidance of doubt, it is now taking place on Sunday 30th March. 



Runner Alert!

Mon 17th Feb, 2014


 When things go tragically wrong at a fell race the race organiser may be in difficulty -but the runner will be dead.
~~~~
So What!
When runners are accused of breaches of safety requirements, they usually respond in one of three ways:
i) Sorry, I didn’t know
ii) Sorry, I knew, and I won’t do it again, or 
iii) Yeah? So what!
Response iii) recently earned a runner disqualification for not wearing a race number on his chest (Safety Requirement 8.2); but he could have received a lengthy ban from FRA races.
Education First, Discipline Last 
The FRA Committee are fell runners and they take no pleasure in disciplining their fellows. But they have responsibilities to the sport and will make “examples” of runners (or race organisers) to remind everyone that the FRA takes rules compliance seriously. Race Organisers at the recent workshops on the new safety requirements asked for runners to be reminded to read the Handbook and here is some of what runners will find there. It shouldn’t be news!
You The Runner
- are primarily responsible for your own safety on the fells.
- must comply with the requirements of the race organiser. 
- must read the “disclaimer” on the entry form before you sign. It matters.
Kit
- the Standard Equipment is printed on the back of the Membership Card. This is OBLIGATORY at every Long A, Medium A  and now Long B races. No exceptions-even if the sun is cracking the flags.
 -  the full kit must be carried at every race however short and gentle, UNLESS the Race Organiser relaxes some of the requirements.  
-  runners should take the full kit to every race and not try to guess what the race organiser will decide to relax on the day.
-  kit is carried to combat the weather when running but more importantly it’s for when you stop, tired, lost, maybe injured;  and your skinny body starts cooling on the way to hypothermia… and  death.
 - “waterproof” means sold as waterproof with taped seams. Good kit saves lives. 
Numbers
- are worn to be seen, cag or no cag, by marshals (and anyone else, eg the landowner).
- must be worn on the chest.
- must not be cut down.
Helping The Organiser To Count The Runners
- you are responsible for HELPING the organiser and marshals. 
- you must not register, decide not to run and go home without telling the organiser.
- you must not go through the finish funnel twice (or not at all).
- you must not drop out and then fail to go back directly to the finish to report to the organiser.
Camaraderie
- it’s only a fell race. If you see someone in distress then please stop and help.
Litter
- please don’t.
Finally
- please do what the Race Organiser asks. It is his/her race. He/she is always right and Sorry I didn’t know… will not work anymore.


Race Updates

Fri 14th Feb, 2014


Races come and go, and I thought it might be helpful to list the races that have been added to the calendar and those cancelled since the 2014 FRA Handbook went to press.  You can see all races where there has been some sort of update (including these) by clicking on the “Race updates” link on the events page of the website.  Andy Butler, Fixtures Secretary.

Added:
1st January – Giant’s Tooth
19th January – Lamb’s Longer Leg
2nd March – Ilkley Moor
8th March – Jarrett Jaunt
10th May – Buttermere Sailbeck
16th May – May Queen
21st May – Coombes Tor
4th June – Blencathra
6th June – Castleton
14th June – Howtown
19th June – Grindleford
27th June – Tideswell
9th July – Askham
31st July – Cock Hill Wood
13th August – Eccles Pike
21st September – Pendle Memorial
21st September – Utterley Butterley
 
 
Cancelled:
22nd February – Quantocks
22nd March – Fiendsdale
23rd March – Edale Half Skyline


2014 English Championships qualification

Fri 24th Jan, 2014


If you are not a first claim member of an English club and either registered with the appropriate part of British Athletics or a member of the FRA, please notify the FRA statistician by e-mail (ianh2512@hotmail.com) or by letter (see address on website) prior to the first race in the 2014 English Championship (Pendle - Sat. 5 April) to advise of your eligibility as follows:
  • born in England or resident in England for a minimum of twelve months prior to the date of the first race in the 2014 English Championship and;
  • a member of a club outside England which is affiliated to British Athletics or an unattached runner who is a member of the FRA.


Rules and Safety Documentation

Tue 14th Jan, 2014


Statement from the FRA committee about the implementation of the new rules and safety documentation.
 
Following the tragic death of Brian Belfield in the 2012 Buttermere Sailbeck race it was clear that the suite of fell race safety and approval documentation would need to be reviewed.  A lot of effort was put in to re-drafting the key Safety Requirements, including extensive consultation with clubs and race organisers.  However the new ‘rules’ had to be kept on hold until the inquest had been completed and the verdict of the Coroner was known.
 
After the inquest the precise wording of the new ‘rules’ had to comply with the Coroner’s requirements, and also with the advice given by our lawyer, who also acts for the insurance company.  It was necessary to take the Coroner’s advice on how we organise our sport, and also be certain that organisers will get full legal and insurance support.  This was achieved for the ‘Safety Requirements’ and it was possible – just – to get the new version to race organisers and into the 2014 Handbook before the end of the year.
 
The suite of documentation still needs work, but the organisers of races with FRA permits (of which there are almost 500) must have a clear set of requirements to work with this year.  
 
We don’t intend to ‘meddle’ with the wording during the year, as this would be confusing and not helpful.  We are assured by our lawyer, who is a specialist in the field of inquests, including deaths in athletics events that the current set of words is adequate.  But the FRA Committee will continue to work on the ‘rules’, with a view to having an improved version, after full consultation with the membership and legal and safety experts in time for future Handbooks.
 
No set of rules will satisfy everyone, but we will try very hard to meet the requirements of a broad consensus of race organisers and members.  The Committee is currently running race organisers’ meetings both to explain and clarify the new wording, and also to get ideas on implementation.  These have produced some excellent input, which will be published.  We will also seek input from across the FRA on any proposed changes.
 
As always, members of the Committee make themselves available to any FRA members with genuine questions or concerns about the sport, and our contact details are in the Handbook.
 
The Committee


Permit Refusal By FRA On Safety Grounds

Fri 10th Jan, 2014


During the 2014 race registration process last year, a race permit was refused by the FRA due to concerns the FRA had over the organiser’s commitment to comply with the new safety requirements.  Following appropriate assurances from the organiser that he will fully apply the requirements, a permit has now been granted.  The FRA are totally committed to upholding the standards they have set and will have no hesitation in withholding permits in the future if they believe that those standards are not being applied.

Nick Harris

FRA Secretary



Great Lakes Race Seeks New Host

Sat 4th Jan, 2014


Ambleside AC have reluctantly decided that they are no longer able to host the Great Lakes race. It is usually held in June, but isn't in the calendar for 2014 (yet). We hope another club might be interested in taking it on. It's a tough race to organise, but it would be a shame if it disappeared.

Paul Knowles

Club Secretary AAC, contact via Ambleside AC website



The Fellrunner 1971-2006

Fri 3rd Jan, 2014


The project to digitise early copies of The Fellrunner and make these accessible is now complete and the first 80 issues, up to October 2006, are now available, as are the 5 issues of FRA News.
 
This major project, which has involved scanning thousands of pages of old journals by hand, has been carried out by Ian Smith (Bolton United Harriers) through his company House of Images.
 
Ian has done the work as a labour of love for the sport of fell running and all members are in his debt.
 


FRA Hypothermia Leaflet

Mon 16th Dec, 2013


Can be downloaded here



England Athletics registration

Fri 6th Dec, 2013


Following a change of management at England Athletics they have advised us that they are no longer able to continue the arrangement whereby members of the FRA can obtain free registration with EA.
 
If you have obtained EA registration via the FRA it will lapse from April 2014.  EA registration does not affect access to fell races in any way, but it will mean you have to enter as ‘unattached’ for other England Athletics events, notably road races that you may wish to compete in.
 
Should you wish to continue to be registered with England Athletics you should go through an EA affiliated club, and pay the £10 EA fee via them. At the moment there is no arrangement for athletes to register direct with EA.


Clougha Pike Race 2014 Date Change

Thu 21st Nov, 2013


Junior Championship Race & Senior Race
 
Please note the Clougha Pike races are to be held on Saturday 21st June,  (and not the 28th June as indicated in the Fell Runner Magazine Autumn Edition). The details in the calendar website and fixtures calendar  have been updated. More information will appear on the Bowland Fellrunner Website in due course.
Many thanks
 
Chris Reade RO. 


John North 1943-2013

Tue 22nd Oct, 2013


John served as Chairman of the FRA for 3 years during the late 70's.
 
A member of Clayton Harriers in his running days, prior to which he was a rock climber and long-distance fell walker, John was described as "The Legend" by those who knew him. 
 
The late Bill Smith identified him as an outstanding long distance, rough-stuff specialist. John was the first person to break the 20 hour mark for the Bob Graham Round. He also had many high placings in long fell races with 4th in the 1978 Three Peaks and 3rd twice in the Edale Skyline amongst his more notable results.
 
Through his heavy training regime John eventually contracted a running injury and took up cyclocross racing.
He won the 1980 Three Peaks Cyclocross but dropped to 3rd the following year after breaking his arm in a road race crash three weeks beforehand. Against doctor's orders John rode with his arm in plaster and opened the fracture again in the race.That sums up John North; a super-fit, super-active, tough-as-nails bloke.
 
John holds the record for cycling the Pennine Way on a cross bike which he set back in 1978 before riding on footpaths was the social crime it is today: a record that is likely to remain unchallenged in these 'enlightened times'.
His time for the 256 mile journey was a rather sleepless 2 days 8 hours and 45 minutes.
 
I met John on several occasions in the 70's whilst staying at the Fell & Rock Climbing Club huts in the Lake District.
I particularly remember his habit of spreading jam thickly on chocolate digestive biscuits. As a kid I thought that was funny and it was most likely the reason that I took up the habit of spreading jam and peanut butter on anything edible.
I believe that John was teetotal, one habit of his that I didn't take up!
 
RIP
 
Andy Holden.


2014 FRA Safety Requirements For Fell Races and Rules for Competition

Wed 9th Oct, 2013


The FRA Committee has revised its Safety Requirements and the current draft (1st September) underpinned documentation sent to potential 2014 Race Organisers to enable work to start to ensure the 2014 FRA Handbook/Calendar appears on time.

The draft document was well received at the recent Inquest but the FRA cannot issue the final version until it addresses the broader views of the Coroner, which are still awaited. The final version will be included in the 2014 Handbook/Calendar (and here).

The FRA Committee believes that the Safety Requirements should continue to be written in everyday language and not become overly legalised.  However, the finalversion will be subjected to legal scrutiny to ensure that the new Safety Requirements protect runners, Race Organisers and the FRA within a sport which, by its nature, is recognised as hazardous and which will always involve accidents.

Fell runners have primary responsibility for their own safety.

Race Organisers have broader responsibilities-a “duty of care” for competitors; and the benefit of insurance via their FRA Registration (although liability for causing death or personal injury by negligence cannot be excluded).

Safety Requirements first appeared in the 1992 Calendar when, eg, there was no mandatory kit requirement. The 2014 draft includes changes in standards, clarifications…but nothing that changes the essence of the sport.

By placing greater emphasis on the competitor to recognise their responsibilities in fell races the new document may be welcomed by Race Organisers on whom the sport depends; as it has since 1970 when the FRA was created, based on the good will of the race organisers of that time.



Brian Belfield

Fri 27th Sep, 2013


The inquest into the death of Brian Belfield was held at HM Coroners Court, Cockermouth on 23rd – 26th September. The coroner reported a narrative conclusion (given below).  As part of his responsibility to make a report to prevent other deaths under Paragraph 7(1) of Coroner’s Rule 28 (previously Rule 43), the Coroner will be writing to the FRA. Further information will be circulated in due course. 
 
“On the 29th April 2012 Mr Belfield registered as a competitor in the Buttermere Sailbeck Fell Race. He was a seasoned fell runner and had run this race in previous years. During the course of the race the weather became very poor with cold temperatures, high winds, driving rain and poor visibility, particularly on the route between Causey Pike and Crag Hill. 
At some point between Sail and Crag Hill Mr Belfield left the race route and descended the fell-side at a place called Scar Crag. This was a difficult place to descend without good knowledge of the area, and especially in the poor prevailing weather conditions. There was no recognised track or path at this point to the bottom of the valley. It is likely that Mr Belfield took this route in order to shelter from the poor weather conditions and as a means of retiring from the race and returning to Buttermere. 
During the course of the descent Mr Belfield slipped on slippery moss falling and sliding a number of feet on his back, and in the process suffering from abrasions and concussion. He came to rest in a pool of water from a stream, became unconscious and died as a result of exposure and hypothermia. His death would have occurred shortly after his fall. After a search by a Mountain Rescue Team and an RAF helicopter he was found the next day. 
The organisers of the Race had miscalculated the number of runners and those who had retired and as a result they had not realised that Mr Belfield was missing until his wife had raised the alarm when he had not returned to their lodgings.”


FRA Radios

Wed 7th Aug, 2013


Monitoring runners is a vital aspect of the safe conduct of fell races and so the FRA has long had a set (6) of Motorola radios available for free loan to race organisers.
 
The FRA has now purchased three further sets (of 6) of a more powerful Motorola model which have much improved radio coverage.
 
These are available on free loan from Jon Broxap via Pete Bland Sports where they are stored.
 
Race organisers are urged to make use of this facility.
 
The FRA is committed to do all it can to ensure safety in fell races and if future demand for radios from race organisers exceeds supply then the FRA will purchase additional sets to safeguard the future of the sport.