JK Relay

[rocky]

EUOC haven' t made a club trip to the British in the last couple of years

You mean since 2008? :p

[mharky]

And last years celebrated 2nd place on Men's Short...

[distracted]

JK final details are out - and even though we've got certain classes combined onto the same courses, the relays still have each class starting in their own individual mass start!? Don't understand that one - talk about making things complicated...

[Jon X]

Nor do I understand it - particularly as combining classes on the same courses into a single mass start is a JK relay rule (rather than a guideline).

I guess either there is a good reason why the rule is being varied or else there is still time to change things and combine them as originally intended...

Seems a real shame if they aren't combined - for instance surely nearly every Men Open/120+ team would rather run in a single race with 100 teams than two separate races of approximately half the size.

[Oldman]

Jon X, personally, I'd rather run with as few other runners starting at the same time as possible, and I think I'm not alone with that opinion.

[Scott]

personally, I'd rather run with as few other runners starting at the same time as possible

Surely head-to-head racing is the whole point of relays?

[awk]

Jon X, personally, I'd rather run with as few other runners starting at the same time as possible, and I think I'm not alone with that opinion.

The complete antithesis of relay running! This seems to be a peculiarly British affliction, mostly of the baby boom generation and is one reason why, in my very personal opinion, the sport has struggled to increase participation in recent years.

Ironically, the fewer runners there are, the more the slower runners are shown up. I gave up running British Relays some years ago because of the sheer lack of numbers - it's been a bit better the last few years.

[graeme]

Jon X, personally, I'd rather run with as few other runners starting at the same time as possible, and I think I'm not alone with that opinion.

...and the great thing about relays is that all are catered for, and if you don't like mass starts you can run legs 2 or 3 (though sadly, not 4).
It's no secret that I like first legs, but it isn't always easy to get one because they're always the most popular choice in my club. Whichever club that's been?

Which club are you in? Maybe I should join

[Oldman]

I enjoy relays - one of the few times we compete as a team. The reason I prefer running on my own is that I know I've completed the course at the fastest speed I can do it without help. To me, there's less satisfaction in running fast (or should I say faster, given my age ) than in running at my own maximum speed while navigating. I accept that others may prefer something different, but don't compel us all to run in packs please!

[Dave]

JK final details are out - and even though we've got certain classes combined onto the same courses, the relays still have each class starting in their own individual mass start!? Don't understand that one - talk about making things complicated...

maybe its cos they're concerned about actually giving people their maps before their runner comes in, avoiding the farce of last year

[King Penguin]

or possibly space / funnel constrictions at the start / changeover ?

[mharky]

or more likely they didn't check the rules

[Homer]

I've just checked the rules to get some facts into this discussion. The relevant clause is:

Starts: In order to increase the number of people racing together, even if
they are competing in different classes, all classes running the
same course should start at the same time.

So, to me it looks like a case of 'should' v 'shall' again.
I'm sure the intention was that, unless there was very good reason, as many classes as possible should start together.

Shame this year's organisers haven't set a good example.

[entries-sec]

Apologies, folks. That one slipped by us - it's being sorted out. We'll post a correction on the website (and I expect there'll be other actions as well - after all, it's only 11 days to go, there's nothing else to do ... )

Christine

[graeme]

Shame this year's organisers haven't set a good example.

Everyone makes mistakes.
They can be avoided by getting the details out in good time, having interested parties check the details, having a rapid method of feedback, and having a responsive organising team.

Seems to have taken them about 37 hours from being alerted to the problem to
sorting it out. That's what I'd call a good example - congratulations to all concerned