Just a reminder that the Stanbury Splash is on tomorrow with junior races as well.  It could be a bit windy up there!  Details www.woodentops.org.uk.  Unfortunately no race for 16 or 17 year olds (see below).

The Kendal Winter league races also continue every Sunday, details on http://www.helmhillrunners.co.uk/winter_league.html.  Many are some distance off but well worth the journey if you pick the right race.  Some are really challenging steep climbs and hair raising descents  – see Paul for more info.

There has been an announcement by the FRA regarding under age runners that affects Pendle AC.  For all races insured by the FRA ie not just championships but including Penistone Quarry races for example that organisers, athletes/parents, coaches and clubs will be subject to disciplinary action and reported to England Athletics if someone runs in a race longer than the permitted distance for their age.  The race organisers have been told that they do not have the discretion of allowing this rule to be broken.  (FRA races are the vast majority of those in the FRA calendar and on the FRA website)

There has already been some disciplinary action.  An athlete only becomes exempt from this when they are at least 18 years old on the day of the race. 

This means that tomorrow for instance there is no race for 16 or 17 year olds and that the organiser cannot allow them to run in the senior race.

BOFRA and Kendal Winter league races are normally quite short and don’t operate distance limits.  However neither of these allow athletes to run in an age group higher than their own.

I have views on this subject for 16 and 17 year olds but would appreciate any comments from other fell running parents.  I will then feed these back to the FRA.  However this is to lobby for a future rule change, in the meantime we must comply with the existing rules!

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