Fair start times

[rob f]

I discarded my early starts too i think. But this was due to cramp and a huge mistake (which was bracken related) and then just couldn't get going again.

[Guest]

Interesting suggestion from Rob F that courses be pre-run to break a trail for early starters. As a dat 4 planner, I can say it wasn't feasible as there just weren't people available, and the various starts were too dispersed. Also, not practical to get blue starters (M65+, W45+?) to pre-run elite courses. Perhaps it would have been kinder for the red starters to pre-run the blue start courses??

Joking apart, I don't think it works because beating a track for the early starts (on the optimum route?) just introduces another element of unfairness. This needs to be tackled by fair allocation of start times and, where possible, planners avoiding the worst of the undergrowth. I obviously didn't manage this on day 4 but there are always constraints!! I've run in worse, though.

Sorry about the long walk to the far red start - hopefully you could see why when you picked up your map. I'm open to suggestions of a better location.