by STEVE LOMAS » Mon Sep 30, 2013 9:27 pm
As Keith mentioned, and as I have mentioned in the past, I personally would find it most interesting to have a single Club Championship that would help to bring all of the Club’s so-called different sections together. Also, I think we should play to our strengths and just, maybe, go with the flow. By that, I mean that the Club as a whole does have plenty of members that race but it’s just that, some of the time, they’re spread over the many different types of races that we participate in. I.e. local fell, national fell, ultra-distance, road, cross-country, park runs, trail races and sometimes, triathlons.
Amongst these disciplines however, we do take part in certain races in many numbers. Examples of these races are the Wednesday night fell races including, for example, the Rainow 5 Fell race and Boar’s Head Fell race. Then there’s such events as the Wilmslow Half Marathon, Congleton Half Marathon, Wincle Trout Fell race, Cheddleton 10K, Manchester League Cross-country, Stockport 10 Road race, Gawsworth 10K, etc.
These races could form the backbone of an annual series.
Such a varied list of races works very successfully as an annual series for Wilmslow Running Club.
Like yesterday at the Macclesfield Half Marathon, we also have our own races that many members either race in or help to organise in some way.
Like Chris and Mark have said, it’s also my preference that any such Championship should be based on performance and, as an also-ran, I would find it fascinating to see who might come out on top in such a league and there could be much debate about particular’s runners’ strengths on the fells, for example, as opposed to, say, road pedigree - in much the same way as a tennis player, who is good on grass but not so confident on clay.
On the basis of my comments above, I would see some merit in Keith’s proposal of a points' system based on the profile of the varying races but points’ awarded for race performance rather than participation. Keith’s proposal could however, be built in, more as an indirect result of the way the Championship would work - please see my comment on the maximum number of races further down this post.
So perhaps a single, annual, championship, could have the following points’ criteria;
Cheshire Grand Prix Road race plus Wilmslow and Congleton Half Marathons if they're not already included in the GP, plus Cheddleton 10K and Stockport 10 - first Harrier, 20 points and next Harrier, 19 points etc, etc (every runner would receive at least 1 point).
A designated Wednesday night Fell race - 20 points etc.
A designated Saturday or Sunday afternoon ‘fete’ Fell race (e.g. Wincle Trout, Bosley, Mow Cop, Whaley Waltz) plus Gawsworth 10K – 20 points etc.
Manchester League Cross-Country - 20 points etc.
Winter weekend fell races such as Cloud 9, Roaches, Passing Clouds, Windgather - 20 points etc.
The various Hayfield and Kinder Long Fell races, The English Champs Fell races, Christmas Fell Handicap - 20 points etc.
Ultra long distance events such as Bullock Smithy and some abroad (those in the Alps and Pyrenees but which must be designated), 30 points etc.
A successful Bob Graham or Naylor attempt, 30 points. An unsuccessful attempt, 15 points. And for those that offer support, 20 points.
Staffordshire Moorlands’ Thursday night Summer Series plus Wizard 5, Mobberley Round the Runway and the Goyt Valley 10K - 15 points etc.
North Staffordshire Cross-Country League - 15 points etc.
Boxing Day Handicap - 15 points etc.
All other races - 10 points etc.
The only exception to the challenge being performance rather than participation would be for a points’ award (20 points?) to help at our Club’s own annual races.
Perhaps 25 to 30 races should be the maximum number of races to count? Alongside the performance criteria then this amount of events would encourage regular race participation by our members but also, would not allow anyone to over-do it by racing every week of the year.
No runner would be forced to do a minimum amount of a certain discipline, they could choose what they like.
There could be an annual prize for the best man and the best lady runner. What about vets’ prizes? What should any prizes be? Money? Trophy? And a
t-shirt or gift for all runners who complete a minimum number of races, in the same way that Wilmslow RC organise gifts for their runners?
Would or should track races be included? How could they be included?
What about administration and up-keep of the table?
Best regards,
Steve
Last edited by
STEVE LOMAS on Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:09 am, edited 1 time in total.