Bat
Running 2008/9
For those who are interested in a spot of Bat Running in
the coming months, the Winter Planner has been released. I've
issued these so early to give everyone plenty of planning time. This will
be re-issued close to the end of October, possibly with minor amendments.
The
biggest change to this year's league is that Carwags runs will NOT
count towards the league. They will still be on, every Tuesday at
6:30pm as a regular club fixture like the Summer Fell Foot runs but
no Bat Points will be awarded. I've decided on this because these
runs tend to attract large numbers and many people choose to start
their runs at different times for a variety of reasons. This makes
keeping a track of everyone difficult. The league will therefore consist
of a more-manageable 20 runs - mostly on Thursday nights.
I have
put in four FAB (Fell and Beer) Runs, roughly one per month, and these
will follow the previously successful Winter formula of being held
on Friday nights, which means no getting up for work in the morning
(for most people!) and most of the weekend still left free. Bill Williamson
(AKA Baggins) has planned a night Anniversary Waltz run and this will
be one of the FABs. The slot usually occupied by the Scafell
Pike FAB (the week before Christmas) has been left open for a possible
Welsh FAB (Snowdon?). Suggestions for a venue and route welcomed.
One
of the Tuesday slots is December 23rd, so I thought we could have
a "Carwags Christmas Cracker" run, which WILL count towards the Bat
League. Suggestions for a route/format for this one are also
welcome.
The traditional Boxing Day Run (daylight!) is on the
Planner and two former Bat Runs, the Winter Solstice run &
the Burns Night Haggis Run fall on Sundays this Winter so we
will need to decide what we are doing about these two. The Up
Helly Aa flaming torch run is safe in a Tuesday night slot (replacing
a Carwags run), so get working on your Viking torches (Stewart Forsyth
is the acknowledged expert in this field....).
Finally, I've
shown the full series of Owl Events, organised jointly by Wharfedale
and Keighley & Craven, in case any Bats fancy getting just a bit
more adventurous. These are billed as "timed training runs" but they
are to all intents and purposes night fell races. We will be having
an 'Owl Invitation' race of our own on 21st January (probably over
the Paddy's Pole Course) and we are sure to get an influx of night
owls from over the Pennines so polish up your best head torch
to uphold Bowland Bat-honour!
Andy W - Grand Bat of The Bowlands
