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May 2021
11:12am, 25 May 2021
2,755 posts
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flyingfinn
V'rap, Joe (Nav4) still organises the Ullswater Challenge (this years is scheduled for October https://www.nav4.co.uk/lakes-mountain-42-1). This is Marc Laithwaite's direct copy of an existing event. At first glance that seems a poor but definitely a growing practice. Marc's defence is probably that Joe's event is billed as "NOT a race". But to me it also suggests a complete lack of imagination.
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May 2021
4:49pm, 25 May 2021
19,846 posts
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flanker
I think it's just an easy option to make money - charge people to run around what is now a waymarked trail.
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May 2021
4:53pm, 25 May 2021
52,792 posts
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Velociraptor
I think there's room for both events even if the target population overlaps.
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May 2021
4:59pm, 25 May 2021
19,847 posts
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flanker
There's room for as many events as people want to pay to enter. If not the organisers, like many of the businesses that sprang up in the "ultra boom", will go bust.
Despite not being a fan* of Marc L I'll credit him with putting on some well organised and, compared to many, relatively affordable events.
* to say the least 
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May 2021
5:12pm, 25 May 2021
6,553 posts
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FenlandRunner
I'm biased in favour of Marc and his team. If they were typical of the Ultra running world they would charge vastly inflated prices for their events.
And even with the relatively 'modest' event cost to entrants they are able to plough significant sums of money into the local community via charitable donations.
Yes, his style/humour might not be to everyone's taste.
I think that the Lakeland 'family' is proof enough he is on the right track.
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May 2021
6:28pm, 25 May 2021
7,677 posts
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Northern Exile
Lakeland "family" ? Don't be daft Fenners, it's just marketing hype to make you feel like you belong to something - there's another well-known race promoter who does exactly the same thing. Be in no doubt, Marc Laithwaite would skin a flea for its hide.
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May 2021
7:04pm, 25 May 2021
52,794 posts
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Velociraptor
Also shuddering about the "family" thing. See also "Brathay family".
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May 2021
7:11pm, 25 May 2021
23,026 posts
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Dave A
I think the fact that he was going to put on a night recce when lockdown forbid overnight stays tells quite a lot about him.
Bloody good race though 😀
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May 2021
8:25pm, 25 May 2021
75,773 posts
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swittle
[see also 'WHW family'; 'fetchfam']
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May 2021
8:34pm, 25 May 2021
6,554 posts
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FenlandRunner
I disagree. If all Marc wanted was to earn wonga he could earn loads loads more.
All I know is that people I've met at the first event I attended back in 2010 I'm still in touch with, and almost every race year I get to know more people. Outside of the Enigma events I don't get the same vibe.
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