Nationals at Alton Towers

[rocky6]

Here is roughly what I posted on the AW web page for the English National XC after the list of results etc. As nobody else has commented, I assume the possibility of comment in this section has gone unnoticed

There were problems galore at the Alton Towers venue for the second time. Courses altered for 'elf and safety', runners in the girl's under 15 made to wait for 30 minutes in the pen area on a freezing cold afternoon, and the senior men's race shortened to 10k because of daylight even though it started at 3.20. I think that it was most unfortunate that the senior men had to run a short first lap, as this meant that slower runners were being overtaken early on a narrow section, where many were aiming for the same piece of narrow ground that had the least mud! I did not wish to impede others and was getting pushed around, so I withdrew along with several others at the back, and I concede that some may have dropped out anyway. Is it now time to reconsider venues, especially midlands which in addition to Alton Towers have caused problems in the past ? For many up north, a journey by train to London would be quicker than road - over 3 hours from Scarborough but about the same by rail/tube to PHF. The English FA Cup final is always at Wembley so why not the National at PHF, even though some venues such as Leeds are fine.

Mick Thompson
Scarborough AC. DNF 2011 !

[Tom Thumb]

I watched the whole incident over on the far side unfold. It was very distressing to see an ambulance driving up and down the road with no access to the course whilst a runner who was obvioulsy in great distress was laid prone on the course. It was obvious that he could not be moved and so the next race had to be delayed. I found out later that he had a broken ankle so quite rightly was not moved. Where can I ask was the risk assesment for this section? As I understand it that side of the course was closed subsequently because of the inaccesiblity to the course in case of further incident. I was amazed that the womens race was run over three short laps avoiding the hill section but the junior and senior mens race was run using the hill section. I know that decisions have to be made but if its too dangerous for the women its too dangerous for the men. Not a good day for the world of endurance officiating>

[rocky6]

As a former para medic, I think the first aid side was badly managed. Treatment could have been given and casualties removed via stretcher to anbulances on the road, just as would happen in many incidents where ambulances cannot go to the precise location of a casualty. As for the first aiders to threaten withdrawal and jeopardise the event, then this is a very bad precedent and something that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I do not think the conditions were worse than a typical PHF championship anyway.