Race Organisers Handbook

hereClick on this link to view and download the Race Organisers' Handbook, and its appendices setting out an illustrative  race assessment here  and risk assessment in pdf and excel  forms here (pdf version) and  here (excel version)

To assist Race Organisers in describing  and publicising races in a way which doesn't inadvertently  exclude potential participants, the Women and Girls in Fell Running Working Group has developed this helpful guide, see here

Contact details for race registration and safety queries: 

Gareth Jaggard: gaz_jag@hotmail.com  Tel: (07810) 808884

Contact details for calendar related queries: 

Calendar & Fixtures Secretary: Linda Edmondson

wfracal@gmail.com Tel: (07961) 034716 

WFRA RULES FOR COMPETITORS 

Introduction

A Welsh Fell Runners Association (WFRA) fell race is one registered by the WFRA.

Factors including weather and terrain mean that fell racing takes place in a hazardous environment. Competitors must have appropriate experience in the conditions that may be encountered so that they can manage their own safety. 

The Race Organiser (RO) has a duty of care to competitors but competitors must accept that race monitoring arrangements, e.g. marshals and checkpoint recording are primarily designed to ensure ‘fair competition’ and must not be considered a ‘safety net’. 

A competitor enters a race on the understanding that they are responsible for their own safety.  The competitor must obey all instructions from the RO and officials and must equip and conduct themself accordingly. 

The WFRA’s Requirements for Fell Races comprises:

• Safety rules for competitors

• A set of requirements, including rules for competition,  which Race Organisers are required to uphold (these are described in the Race Organisers' Handbook)

Breach of a rule by a competitor may result in disqualification from future WFRA (and FRA licensed) races for a period determined by the WFRA Committee. 

RO’s are required to organise their races in accordance with the WFRA’s requirements.  If requirements are not met, the WFRA may withdraw insurance cover for a particular race or impose other sanctions. 

As a condition for entering any WFRA race, the competitor shall: 

1. comply with these safety rules and any additional race specific safety rules imposed by the Race Organiser (RO). 

2. follow the procedures described by the RO if they fail to start or if they abandon the race. 

3. obey all instructions from race officials. 

4. be aware of the serious disabling consequences of hypothermia, dehydration and heat exhaustion and act appropriately during the race. 

5. carry sufficient kit, e.g. full body and leg cover which gives protection from the effects of wind chill and safety equipment, (including food and drink) throughout the race to be able to navigate and provide protection from hypothermia, or dehydration and heat in the worst foreseeable weather conditions during the race, noting that rescue could take a long time. 

6. take note of the length and severity of the race and local weather forecast for the day and judge their capabilities accordingly. 

7. consider how any health impairments may jeopardise their safety or of others and act accordingly. 

8. take specific note of RO’s information on the nature of the terrain on the race route, checkpoints to be visited or course to be followed and any restrictions to route choice. 

9. have the skills, experience and equipment required to comply with the RO’s navigation and safety requirements, having assessed conditions on the day noting that the use of GPS devices for navigational purposes is prohibited.  

10. take reasonable care not to create hazards that may cause harm to other people and support anyone in need of assistance, even if it means abandoning their race.