Race Director, Joe Faulkner

Having competed in the event a number of times, as a Solo Pair and Team, including paddling, I was honoured to be asked by Steph to be Race Director for the 2009 race. Unfortunately, my first major decision was to postpone the 2009 race due to financial reasons, which I found very tough indeed.

However, postponement was the right thing to do as we simply couldn’t go ahead with the 2009 race and the possibility of bankrupting The Heb, nor offering a sub-standard race. There is no doubt that the ‘credit crunch’ did have an effect on many races and events during the year, and there was many disappointed people... us included! What has been very re-assuring is the excellent feedback and support throughout the year and having taken the opportunity to review all aspects of the event we have made excellent progress at rebuilding The Heb ready for 2010.

The 2009 Heb postponement was also wake up call for some; The Heb is an incredible race; in fact more a race it’s a week’s long life changing adventure for many. Roll on 2010 It will be back strong and better in 2010.

So what brings me to being Race Director? It’s quite a daunting challenge but one I feel very passionate about. On top of my own personal 'Heb' experience I have a very wide range of experience in fell running, mountain marathons, adventure racing and triathlons, over the past thirty years, with a pre-dominance of ultra distance events. These have ranged from classic fell races, to multi-day races, including the infamous The Dragons Back (five days along the back bone of Wales) way back in 1992, to more recent AR including The Wilderness ARC in 2006 and The Adventure Race World Championships in 2007. Whether non-stop Expedition race or a 'stage' race like The Heb, I have long been a supporter of many races including Open Adventure Endurance Series and C2C, and previously 'ACE' races, as well as The Big 'Bad' Ben Tri, 70 Wild Miles, Kielder Tri, etc.

vWhat do I bring to it? I not only have experience as a participant, but experience of event management with our own GL3Day challenge in The Lakes. I'm also a qualified mountaineering instructor and provide navigation and 'AR' training courses. In short, I feel I'm in touch with grass routes multi-sport mountain racing... and understand 'The Heb'.

I'm very pleased that my wife, Lindsey, has suggested she joins me in this challenging role. Linz has supported me with GL3Day from its conception and supported me in many races including my solo 'Heb' experience, and so understands the joy and pain from both sides of the mountain. Working together we aim to bring a range of experience, skills and talents; not least as we can relate to racers of all aspirations and abilities.

We are under no illusion as to the complexities and demands of The Heb, but look forward to contributing to 2010 and the future of the race. As a token of it’s importance we will not be organising our own GL3Day in 2010, in order to put our full and undivided attention into all things ‘Heb’.

Finally, we can’t do it alone and need your support either as racers or supporters, and look forward to seeing you there. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any comments or questions for me. Many thanks.

Have fun and be safe
Joe and Lindsey - faulknerjoe@hotmail.com.