Machine-translated from Faroese and not yet reviewed. Read the original.
On Saturday the Norðoyastevna Run is on the programme. For several years the Norðoyastevna Run has also been the starting gun for the Grand Prix competition, which has been held at most of the summer festivals. A few years ago the Grand Prix competition for children was dropped. The time had come to move athletics onto the track, so the Grand Prix for children is now held only on the track. The children’s races at the festivals have, however, carried on as usual.
Last year there were seven Grand Prix festival races. To count in the overall standings, each participant had to have taken part in at least five races. Bonus points were given to those who ran six or seven rounds. The individual races were both well attended and successful. But it is somewhat doubtful how keen people were to collect points to win the overall competition. Admittedly, some went to great lengths and travelled to Jóansøka by speedboat to score a few cheap points, but if we look at the big picture, interest was perhaps not that great.
Four women, two of them veterans, made it through the competition, while 14 men, two of them veterans and two super-veterans, went the whole distance. At FÍF’s annual general meeting there was a discussion about whether it was worth organising Grand Prix festival races for adults this year, and whether there is the appetite for it. The conclusion was that this should be up to the runners. So you are welcome to give your views in the comments on this article: whether you want to collect points or whether you don’t mind either way. You are also welcome to tell the undersigned or Guttormur what you think on Saturday. If there is interest in and a basis for the competition, it will of course go ahead.
It wasn’t the plan for everyone to fit on the podium at the same time. Is this a sign of indifference towards the festival Grand Prix? Or is there still interest among women and men in collecting points together through the summer festivals?
Perhaps too much was asked last year? Seven festival races, with participation required in five. Perhaps that number should be lower. In any case, the annual general meeting agreed that the festival races will only be organised where local people take the initiative to organise them. At the time of writing, therefore, we only know of races at Norðoyastevna, Eystanstevna, Jóansøka, Vestanstevna and Ólavsøka.
But do give your views in the comments on this article. Or tell Guttormur or the undersigned on Saturday in Klaksvík.
