Mud Sweat and Tears is Matt Ward's take on the sport he loves; getting under the skin of off-road running with lively comment, race reports, interviews and running equipment reviewed.

Reactions so far

1. Muddy Mud Skipper Dec 2, 06:01 PM

   Hmmm, this arouses the cynic in me. While all sponsorship deals have to have a two way benefit it seems that Run 4 It are coming up trumps here. Their ‘sponsorship’ provides from what I can see very little extra to those who actually compete in the SHR series races. We already get a mug at the end (and big deal if that wasn’t forthcoming), we already can get 10% discount in their sterile stores by virtue of Scottish Athletics membership (their stuff is priced at the top end of RRP in any case), we already have a comprehensive calender online of all hill races that are coming up and results, either through the SHR site or FRA, so don’t really need a Run 4 It ‘database’ of the same stuff (personal info capture so they can market us with ‘deals’ perhaps?). I can only assume that individual race organisers whose race is part of the series will still have to find from their own resources the means for category prizes. I don’t think I would want as an organiser Run 4 It paraphanalia (free advertising) adorning my event without a big help towards prizes etc. Run 4 It are trying to market themselves as the hill runners store (only the niave would be taken in here) but it worries me that SHR have so readily paired up to encourage this fallacy (and in my mind lost a degree of impartiality) for the sake of such token support from a mercenary company.

2. Malcolm Patterson Dec 9, 02:49 PM

   On behalf of Scottish Hill Runners (SHR), I would like to respond to the comments made by “Muddy Mud Skipper” in regard to our sponsorship deal with Run4It. Firstly the deal was announced at our recent AGM and received strong support from the members present. Secondly the deal will be of considerable benefit to all those that race on the hills in Scotland, not only by enhancing the awards offered to everyone who completes the SHR championship (which is open to all runners, not just SHR members), but by giving SHR help in publicising and developing the sport we all love – to all abilities from novices and juniors to Scottish champion – and strengthening the services that we offer. Lastly, we cannot see how this deal can impair our impartiality, particularly as we already have a positive relationship with a number of other retail sponsors whom we have worked with for a number of years.

   We always seriously consider what our members (and non-members) would like us to do. Anyone can give feedback to the Committee directly via: www.shr.uk.com/Contact.aspx

   Malcolm Patterson, Membership Secretary, on behalf of the SHR Committee.