Notes for Members

Notes for Thursday Training Nights

1. From September to April a head torch is essential.

2. Bring warm clothing and full-body-cover waterproofs, hat and gloves. Even in Summer it can be a biting wind on the tops. Layer your clothing so you can adapt as necessary.

3. Wear suitable footwear - trail shoes or studs; warm socks, possibly goretex or "sealskin".

4. Training nights are nominally one hour but can be 90 minutes or more when investigating new routes or for special training. Consult the training schedule page of the web site beforehand.

5. Always tell the Coach supervising the session if you have to leave early.

6. Advise the Coach of any injury you may have or races you are completing shortly after the session.

7. Respect the Coach. A load of experience, thought, effort and commitment goes into the training programme.
 

Notes for Race Competitors

The basic assumption has to be that you are responsible for your own safety. The points below are an elaboration of that theme, plus one or two which apply to your fellow runners and help the organiser of the race. (Experienced runners - we know you know all this but it may be worth a read, in case?).

1. Be aware of weather conditions on race day and consult the latest forecast.

2. Temperature, underfoot conditions, precipitation, visibility will all affect what to wear and what to expect.

3. Ensure your level of fitness is suitable for the event entered. If you are inexperienced, recce the route beforehand or run with an experienced friend.

4. Be aware of the type of country to be traversed in the race and have experience in that type of country. Fell races vary from paths to trails to moors to rocky boulder-fields and are generally rougher than cross-country or trail races.

5. Wear appropriate footwear. Studs or trail shoes are essential. Do not wear smooth-soled road shoes.

6. Be aware of and understand the dangers of hypothermia. Understand the effects of hypothermia and be able to recognise it in others.

7. Always carry full body cover waterproofs, hat, gloves, compass and whistle. It is very little extra weight to carry for the added safety. Conditions in the open, at altitude, can be very exposed and quite different from those at the start. Remember if you have to stop running, you will cool down very quickly. The extra gear may also help out another runner in difficulties.

8. Always stop to help another who is in difficulties. If they tell you to carry on, always report the incident to the nearest marshal.

9. Carry a map of the area, with the route marked and escape routes thought out.

10. Drink plenty of fluids before starting and, on runs longer than 15km, carry spare food and liquid.

11. Be aware of others using the route - walkers, bikes, horses. Act with care for yourself and consideration for others. Walkers may not hear you coming from behind. Horses can be startled if you pass at speed.

12. If you drop out of a race you must report to the organisers and let them know you are retiring. Head counts are carried out at the end of races and, if you are thought to be missing on the hill, an unnecessary search and rescue operation may be called out.

AM
May 2009