For interactive results
and graphs for results 2004-2007 click on the link below : www.felljunior.org.uk/PBRelay/main.php
(thanks to Jim Godwin)
................................................................................................................ 2008 event report
The problem is, I suppose
that by organising an event at the beginning of February chances
are that the weather might not be kind to you ! We have until
now been lucky with the weather and despite some worries in
the days leading up to the event this year apart from a bitter
cold wind the weather “held out”
I had several emails prior to this years race from clubs understandably
worried about the weather forecast and a large dump of snow
the day before the race did nothing to alleviate matters.
My reply then was that we would only call the race off if
we couldn’t drive to and between the checkpoints due
to snow. On reflection my reply was ill judged as any responsible
organiser must take into account the running conditions on
the day when deciding whether to call an event off or not.
On the evening before the race I consulted the Rossendale
and Pendle Mountain Rescue team and we agreed that there should
be a dynamic risk assessment made with regard to the weather
conditions on the day.
The other problem of course when organising an event of this
kind is that it attracts non fell running clubs and with that
runners inexperienced at competing in what is a unique form
of the running spectrum. We would not want to discourage non
fell running clubs at all although I think that those clubs
have a responsibility to ensure that the teams and the individuals
they enter have some of the basic skills required when entering
an event of this nature which is essentially five fell races.
I did put this point to several teams in my reply to their
query about weather conditions and advised them to reconsider
entering a team, which might well be considered “ at
risk “ should conditions deteriorate. One team did pull
out at the very last minute citing that very point as their
reason and although we were disappointed to lose a team they
have to be applauded for their action and we would encourage
other teams to adopt this type of stance. We have now added an extra page to the relay website
titled “ Safety “ and we will be filling this
page with help and advice relating to safety matters and basic
skill requirements needed when deciding whether to enter this
type of event in the middle of Winter.
We had once again a record entry for the 2008 event. Although
83 teams entered only 76 teams started which was 8 teams more
that our previous high. The extra parking space at Callis
Bridge sorted for us by our friends from Todmorden Harriers
spared us the problems of last year and the extra numbers
didn’t seem to cause problems at the other changeover
points.
Several new teams entered this year and it was pleasing to
see Halifax Harriers entered for the first time and doing
so well by finishing in 6th place in their first outing. Good
too to see local rivals Blackburn Harriers entered for the
first time, eventually finishing in 9th after being 2nd at
the second change.
The race up front was once again well contested with last
years winners and record holders Horwich RMI battling it out
with past winners and past record holders Borrowdale Fell
Runners for the honours. The race was only decided on the
last leg where the pairing of British Fell Champion Simon
Booth and Chris Steele overhauled the Horwich pairing to take
the lead and the 2008 title.
Past winners Bowland finished strongly again in 3rd place
whilst the hotly contested Vets prize was once again won by
Clayton Vets in 5th spot. Clayton fielded no less than 9 teams
and we thank them for their support. Ilkley Harriers claimed
the much coveted mixed team title and the ladies title again
hotly contested was won by the ladies from Dark Peak.
We received lots of emails after the event thanking us for
a great day out and we much appreciate your feedback. We put
a lot of time and effort in trying to make the event go as
smooth as possible for the runners and we have learned things
from this year which we will put to good use for the 2009
event. Same weekend next year Sunday 1st February
................................................................................................................
Thanks to all of the team captains
for their efforts it takes a lot of work to organise the teams
and it is appreciated. . Our thanks
to The Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team , to Pete
Bland Sports,The Rossendale Free Press,Martin Stone and to
everyone who helped on the day. Hope to see you all again
next year,any comments please contact me (See the links page
on this site) Graham Wright.
Rossendale Harriers.
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