HOPEFULLY this Saturday’s Ken Watterson and Focus Advisory Services-sponsored Ard Whallin Fell Race (formerly Greeba Fell Race) will go ahead as planned, as long as marshals can gain access to their marshalling points in the Cronk Breck track area.
Changes had already been forced on the organisers before the recent accumulations of snow, because of circumstances beyond their control, but there has been added concern since.
Hopefully, the heavy rain forecast for Friday will not fall as snow on the higher ground and instead wash away some of the snow from the higher regions of the course that covers much of the Greeba range.
The race, which is the second counter in the 2013 Rentokil Fell League, will be based at Ard Whallin Outdoor Pursuits Centre, West Baldwin and is likely to include quite a number of newcomers (most of whom have been up to recce the course in recent weeks).
There will not be any parking available at Ard Whallin. The Colden car park is available to use on race day thanks to the permission of DEFA. There are also spaces on the Injebreck road. Please park carefully and if possible car share.
Registration will be from 12.15pm at Ard Whallin. There will be an early start at 1pm for those who expect to take more than two hours to cover the 12.6km distance (which involves 750 metres of ascent).
The early start is to help those who are normally near the rear of the field. The organisers reserve the right to refuse the early start to anyone who does not qualify. The main race will start at 1.30pm.
Full safety gear must be presented at registration and there will be random checks at the start and finish.
Minimum age is 18 years on race day.
Fixtures at a glance:
Sunday, January 27 – Jude’s Sportshall Athletics Championship, NSC Main Hall, Western AC.
Sunday, February 3 – Fifth and final round of Up & Running Ltd-sponsored Winter Walking League, National Sports Centre perimeter road.
Thursday, February 7 - Ramsey Bakery Firemans Runs, round five of six. Northern AC promoted, all welcome (choice of distances 1.7-mile or five-miles), register in Ramsey fire station between 6pm and 6.50pm for a handicap start from 7pm.
Sunday, February 10 - Microgaming Isle of Man Cross Country League (final round of five).
Saturday, February 16 - Baldwin Valleys Fell Race - Rentokil Fell Running League round three.