Please read the safety guidelines, equipment needed, and new cut-off times below to help you decide which race to do and ensure you can compete on the day.
SAFETY GUIDELINES & EQUIPMENT NEEDED
The form includes a declaration indicating that you understand the Welsh Fell Runners Association (WFRA) Safety Code, understand the risks associated with fell running and are entering at your own risk…..alongside other things.
Please visit the WFRA website http://www.wfra.me.uk/ for the complete safety code and rules. Under WFRA safety requirements the kit mentioned in sec5 is mandatory for all Category A’ Long and Medium races. Please see the safety code below:
IMPORTANT NOTICE – RUNNERS AND SAFETY. The general philosophy in Fell / Mountain racing is that the competitor should take primary responsibility for their own safety on the Fells / Mountains. Please note the following:
All the races I organise are all held under WFRA rules and Insurance.
Please read the following before entering.
- By entering this race, all competitors agree to abide by the race entry conditions below, which they will also be asked to sign on race day. The competitor also agrees to abide by any race day instructions and conditions, or other instructions given by the organiser or appointed marshals, including the instruction to retire or withdraw from the race for any reason. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and/or disciplinary procedures at the organisers request. Failure to follow retirement instructions (unless because of incapacitation) will result in a mandatory ban.
- Competitors accept that all fell racing is hazardous, as is the terrain and weather conditions, and that accidents can and do happen. On rare occasions there have even been fatalities. All competitors enter at their own risk and are wholly responsible for managing their own safety from the time they leave the start of a course until the time they return either as finishers or retirees.
- Competitors must not enter the race unless they have suitable and sufficient experience of racing or training and navigating successfully over the same or similar terrain and travelling long distance over the fells in all weather, and as a result can confirm they have sufficient experience to find their way around the course and to manage their safety in the conditions prevailing in expectation of no support, which they must not regard as a safety net. Road running experience is not sufficient to enter this race.
- Competitors must study the risks posed by conditions, including the symptoms of hypothermia , hypoglycaemia, and heatstroke in both themselves and others some of which are these: Hypothermia: not responding to conversation; uncoordinated movement and speech; inability to think clearly; wanting to carry on in adverse conditions; skin cold where normally warm (eg armpits). Immediate action: wrap in warm clothing. Hypoglycaemia: confusion; ill coordinated movement and speech; weakness; hunger. Immediate action: glucose drinks or sweets. Heat exhaustion: fatigue; muscle cramps; dizziness; vomiting; fainting; cold clammy or hot/dry skin. Immediate action: rest in cool; feet elevation; drink salty water.
- KIT: Competitors must carry any equipment specified by the organiser. For the Preseli Beast and UltrabeasT, ALL of the following must be carried: Waterproof, complete body cover with taped seams and integrated attached hood; Hat and gloves; Whistle; Emergency food. Map and compass. For the Beast Bach, a lightweight windproof might be acceptable instead of full body waterproof dependent on weather on the day. Accepting that such equipment is necessary to avoid disqualification, but also accepting it is not warranted by the organiser as sufficient. It is for the competitor alone to determine what extra equipment, and sustenance are needed to safely negotiate the course in the conditions prevailing allowing for what may be a very long wait for rescue. Indeed it is for the competitor alone to decide, from experience, whether they are competent to negotiate the course safely at all in the conditions prevailing and forecast, and if they have any doubts on that they must withdraw before starting the race. They can always race elsewhere on a better day.
- Competitors should bring to the race the maximum equipment they may need for forecasted conditions. The minimum specified by the organiser may be increased on the day, and where minimum kit is specified, kit checks will be in place, which can result in disqualification.
- The competitor understands that the sole duty offered by the organiser to them, is to determine as far as is reasonably practicable that all who start the race , then either finish it as completers or are otherwise accounted for as retirements, and in the event of competitors failing to return within a reasonable time of anticipated race finish , then the sole duty accepted by the organiser is to alert search organisations that they are missing, and to assist that organisation with information to hand. All other marshals are there in respect of the competition not safety and must not be considered a safety net. All of the records they collect are fallible and may not always be available. Competitors should not enter races if they need or expect more support.
- The competitor must study the race description , and note that this route contains some scrambling in a number of areas, steep and slippy descents, and all of it can be even more hazardous if temperatures have been or are freezing, and if they have any doubts, train on the route to ensure they are competent to race there. The competitor must accept that these are only a selection of the hazards and not necessarily the most dangerous, because the entirety of fell course is hazardous, and the competitor should not enter without sufficient experience of the same or similar terrain.
- Competitors confirm that they accept that the Organiser accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any nature to the competitor or his property except to the minimum extent of the law and only in respect of personal injury or death resulting directly from organiser negligence.
By entering, I confirm that I understand that this race is held in accordance with FRA rules and that I have studied the Rules and Safety Requirements of FRA and the instructions and conditions above and agree to be bound by them.
DO NOT ENTER UNLESS YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE CONDITIONS!
Signs of Hypothermia: not responding to conversation; unco-ordinated movement and speech; inability to think clearly; wanting to carry on in adverse conditions; skin cold where normally warm, such as under armpit. Immediate action: wrap in warm clothing.
Signs of Hypoglycaemia: confusion, ill co-ordinated movement and speech; weakness, hunger. Immediate action: drink glucose solution or suck sweets.
- Know what the organiser’s ‘drop-out’ procedures are and comply with them. As a minimum, if you retire you MUST notify the officials at the finish (and the nearest check-point marshal, if appropriate) before you leave the area.
- If you see someone in trouble: HELP, even if it costs you the race.
- Be aware that, by the nature of fell racing, first aid may not be readily available.
CUT -OFF TIMES
Cut-off times are being introduced to aid the organisation of the race and the general well being of you, the runners, and the legion of dedicated volunteers who enable the races to happen.
Please consider which race is appropriate for you based on your experience and ability. If you do not reach the designated cut-off points within the time specified you will finish the race there and make your way back to the start with a marshal. Your results will not be recorded past the cut-off point.
Registration for UltrabeasT and Preseli Beast- 08.30-09.45
UltrabeasT. – Race start-10.00hrs.
Cut Off Point: CP3/Newport(11.6miles) – 2hrs 45mins (12.45)
Cut Off Point: CP7/Road crossing(17.3miles) – 4hrs 30mins; (14.30)
Cut Off Point: CP8/Foel Feddau(18.7miles)- 5hrs 15min. (15.15) (If you reach this point after cut-off time, you’ll be directed onto the homeward route to finish as per Preseli Beast route);
Cut off point CP9/Foel Drygarn(36.5km)- 6hrs (16.00). You should head down with the marshal for a drive back to HQ.
Finish approx- 8hrs, at an average 4mph.
Preseli Beast. – Race start: 10.00
- Cut Off Point: CP3/Newport(11.6miles) – 2hrs 45mins (12.45)
- Cut Off Point: CP7/Road crossing(17.3miles) – 4hrs 30mins; (14.30)
- Finish approx- 6hrs, at an average of 4mph.
Please Note- If you don’t think you can make the times, then please enter the Beast Bach.
Registration for Beast Bach.- 10.30hrs – 12.15.
Race Start- 12.30.
Cut off point: CP6/Road crossing(5miles)- 2hrs(14.30)
Declaration
I understand that this race is held in accordance
with the WFRA Safety Code. I am aware of the Organiser‘s information
and requirements in connection with this race.
I accept the hazards involved in fell running and
acknowledge that I am entering and running in this
race at my own risk. Other than the Organiser’s liability
for causing death or personal injury by negligence,
I confirm that I understand that the
Organiser accepts no liability to me for any loss or
damage of any nature to myself or property arising
out of my participation in this race.