A salutary Tale - Take the right Kit

A salutary tale: Today was the annual Edale Skyline Fell Race running since 1974 and a true bog-trotters classic, a race I have completed some 12 times or so. I took the gear that has stood me in good stead for many years, including waterproof top and bottoms, hat a buff and two pairs of gloves. Enough en-route food and some emergency food and a full bladder...I had even secreted a bottle at Mam Tor. At registration I was refused to run as the bottoms were not taped seamed. Of course I could have done the old trick of borrowing some from somebody else and pretended mine had miraculously turned up!! But rules are rules, had I thought to bring my heavier tape-seemed pair instead of chancing my luck I would have raced no problem. The kit-checker was very apologetic, but I had no qualms, I should have known better, I did not have the full stipulated kit with me and did not take part in the race. As it was I had a great run round while Roy Gardner and Ben Wolstenholme enjoyed mixed conditions on the route, with ample amounts of sunshine, hail and strong freezing winds. Lesson Learned

Chris Martin H, It takes a bigger man to accept the race organisers rules and bow out gracefully. Many a lesser, would have not, and argued the toss and therefore spoilt every ones day. The rules are in place for the safety of competitors and not for rules sake. A great post H, even the most experienced can get it wrong at times. A fine ambassador for our great little club! Just a note to all - FRA rules state 'full waterproof body cover with taped seams and a hood' .

Gareth Evans Agreed, well done Ben & Roy. And credit to you Howard, many of the very experienced runners like yourself would have argued the toss with the organisers instead of using that very experience to appreciate the situation as you did - you may not have run the race but you gave a good account of yourself none the less. Shame so many others don't quite see it that way. Well done