(Yesterday, 6:54 pm)Adrian wrote We had one. The 500 Group ran an excellent running day for years, and in my opinion was the highlight of the North East preservation scene. An event that ran like clockwork, plenty of participants from the North East and beyond, and really just an enjoyable day out.

There's plenty of places in the North East where a similar event could be setup and ran, but the biggest issue will be the lack of participants. There's not much use having a running day, if you've barely got any services to run. I suspect the 500 Group event was always excellently supported, is because they always (and to this day) make an effort to support every other event within reasonable distance. Often taking many of their club members along with them.

I just wouldn't have confidence in the Tyne and Wear based events being supported on that scale, the way things run at the moment. 

On Seaburn, we seem to go around in this annual cycle of criticism levelled at the NEBPT ran events. I think it's fair to say that one of the biggest criticisms has always been how unorganised the events appear, and I noted comments on their Facebook feed suggesting similar. I tend to agree with them, and I often wonder whether those saying they had a superb day etc are trying to massage egos or genuinely have such low expectations for an event.

If you go to just about any rally or running day outside of Tyne and Wear, you'll get a shock at how well organised it is in comparison. I know someone who was at the JFS Fishwick running day the day prior, and it sounded chalk and cheese compared to Seaburn. Proper programme, planned routes and a service board. I've been to the Ribble day in the past and that was just the same, as is Kirkby Stephen. 

You've even got the Whitehaven event, which many from the North East now attend in favour of the NEBPT Metrocentre event. It's fair to say that Whitehaven, despite being a relatively new event, is now the event to attend that weekend. 

To be fair to the NEBPT, I think they'd admit that their biggest challenge is the lack of active volunteers. They really need people to join (only £10 for the year now) and be prepared to volunteer some time. Attend the AGMs, get involved and give ideas for improvements.