4th August A righteous anger

 

So what was it that made Johnny get angry at the Dovedale Dipper yesterday? Was it the extra distance I had to run? Was it finding myself lost after 220 yards? Was it finishing in 60th position in the 15(?) mile event? No, it was none of those...read on.

As you will remember yesterdays race had a 'mandatory' kit list that every runner had to carry. And without which runners would not be allowed to run. This included an OS map of the area, a magnetic compass, a whistle, a waterproof jacket with hood, an emergeny survival blanket, and a mobile phone, all of which I either had to buy, beg or borrow.

Now don't get me wrong, given the nature of the terrain and the unpredictable weather of the Peak District I can understand the organisers want all the runners to be as equipped and safe as possible. And as such I would expect given the 'mandatory' nature of the kit list that every runner would have to actually show that they were carrying the appropriate items.

So what mad me angry was to discover that there was no check in place at all with many of the runners 'looking' as if they were carrying nowhere near the number of compulsory items. Why on earth have a mandatory list and then make no effort to actually check people were carrying them? Especially when people like me had to actually buy most them. 

Thank the Lord for Amazon's 30 day return policy which will be put to very good use first thing tomorrow morning.

100 yards from the finish running on Bambi legs



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