ChelmsfordWed 10 Jun
Essex Summer Midweek Series 2026
Local level event
Explanation of Event levels
Local events are usually low key and in the 'localised' area, ideal for newcomers to try the sport and Training events are non competitive and used for training and coaching, aimed at members of the club, but they can attract people from neighbouring clubs, and are often ideal for newcomers to try the sport. Regional events attract participants from around the local Region, National events are high quality competitions that will attract people from far away, Major events are Major Events such as a British Championships.
Terrain type: Urban & Parkland
Results
Report
I arrived at the pub last night in pouring rain with no great expectation for an improvement in the weather. Luckily I was proved wrong and it turned into a fine evening. Colin and I planned the courses based on a pub on the east of the map with big free car park opposite. When we checked in with them, they very apologetically declined to host us as they had a large wake booked in. With no time to replan Colin found an alternative which worked well. All we had to do was move start/finish and reorder the controls starting halfway round the original courses. It was good to see so many socialising and discussing route choices after running. If you didn’t stay on, do consider making the time to have a drink afterwards and share your experiences of the run. We are a friendly bunch.
The map was a bit of a shock to non orienteers but you all seemed to cope ok. We test ran the courses on Monday last week and on Tuesday they closed the bridge! It did spoil the leg out of the park. I only found out on the morning of the event so it was what it was. Thanks to Kevin who added the last minute correction to the map marking the construction site on the bridge and for printing the maps. Note that if you run the event on Anytime catchup and the bridge is open, you must regard it as closed or incur a 5 minute penalty. We expect it to be closed for several weeks.
Congratulations to Phil Hazell all the way from Adelaide for fastest clean run on the short course followed by Teresa Wood with Luke Hazell in third place. The sports court between controls 3 & 4 on short and 8 & 9 on long is clearly mapped with an uncrossable fence. Even though the gates were open, the fence is still uncrossable if mapped as such. Most people ran round the outside. Those that crossed the court have been given 5 minute penalty marked with OOB. I think the parks department would not have been happy with a stream of runners crossing the court.
Lewis Judge took the honours on the Long followed by Keith Bennett and Stuart Collett. There were 2 disqualifications. Parkway, the main road through the map was marked as out of bounds and only to be crossed at marked crossings or underpasses.This was a safety issue and I am not prepared to be lenient when it comes to disregarding a safety instruction.
Chris Childs leads the Short course with Colin Jackson just behind and Veronica Machin in third. It’s tight at the top of the Long course with the top three of Keith Bennett, David Float and Dean Pepper separated by five points. Watch the last three events with interest! The next event is HAVOC’s event at Langdon Hills on June 24th. Details here.
If you missed the event tonight, but want to run it on Anytime catchup, details are on the series webpage, including maps and instructions. You will still score points for the league (if you run in the next 2 weeks), subject to an Anytime penalty of 5 minutes.
Thank you all for coming and for the appreciative comments.
Lyn West
Overview
Event 5 of the Essex Summer Midweek Series 2026.
Mid week hybrid event encompassing urban street running and off road running in woods, parks and on footpaths and trails. Based on MapRun, there will be no physical control kites, but all controls will be on street or park furniture, or other identifiable features. Line courses, but with a time penalty for incorrect or missed controls.
Points will be awarded based on final score adjusted using an age/gender handicap system. Best 6 results from the 8-event series will count for the league leaderboard. Anytime catch-up for some events available for 2 weeks after the event, subject to an Anytime time penalty, on MapRun. Bonus points for running on the night compared to Anytime. Full results will be emailed via RaceSignUp and published on the SOS and HAVOC websites.
Location Info
/0.4688,51.736,12/500x400?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGF1bGZyb3N0IiwiYSI6ImNreHB6M2ttMjBlbnkyd28yNXZzZWJwbGQifQ.fnwThkHVCLn8Nf1UM5_AYw)
Near: Chelmsford Lat,Lng: 51.736,0.4688 Postcode: CM1 1LW What3Words: ///fever.covers.useful
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
The event starts and finishes from The Brewhouse and Kitchen, Anne Knight Building, Duke St, Chelmsford, CM1 1LW.
The nearest car park is Fairford Road Pay and Display. Entrance off Coval Lane. Postcode: CM1 1TD. Payment by card or MiPermit. £3.30 after 5pm. https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/parking-and-travel/car-parks/fairfield-road-car-park/
Limited on street parking is available in Viaduct Road.
The pub is a short walk from Chelmsford Station.
Map / Terrain
OCAD Map 1:5000 printed on waterproof paper (the map used for the Chelmsford Urban event in May).
Controls will be a mixture of street furniture (seats, fences, etc), trees and fire hydrant signs - these will be identified on the control descriptions which will be printed on the reverse. If MapRun fails, you need to record the lower number on fire hydrants, or otherwise as indicated.
The course will be on roads, footpaths and parkland.
Course Information
Short course: 6.3 km - 23 controls
Long Course: 3.4 km - 13 controls
Courses are measured as direct distances between controls. You will run further.
Depending on your route choice, you may pass controls en-route to your destination, however, you must still visit all of the controls in the correct order. Each missed or incorrect control will incur a 5 minutes penalty.
It is useful to download the course you need before you arrive, download the course onto the MapRun app by clicking on ‘Select Event' in the app, and following the menu path UK > Essex > Chelmsford
The courses are:
Chelmsford Central 2026 Long
Chelmsford Central 2026 Short
The course map will not be visible on your phone until you receive the PIN at Registration on the night. You do not need the PIN to run using a Garmin watch.
Your result will be automatically downloaded when you finish. The full procedure will be explained at Registration. If the app fails to register your visit to a control, you need to note the lower number on the H sign, or lamp post number. If a control is missed then the software will show your result as Mispunch, but in the results we will add the usual penalty for a missed or incorrect control.
If you are unable to use MapRun, you are still welcome to take part by completing the control sheet with pen or pencil but be aware that this is a much slower method, and your score will be non-competitive. With this approach, timing will be manually by a traditional clock, and written answers will be checked by the planner.
Entry Details
Enter this event via Racesignup or enter the series via the Golden Ticket.
£4 Seniors, £5 unaffiliated runners, £2 under 21 or students.
For late entries email series coordinator.
Registration and Start times
Start times will be between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.
Please ensure you notify the organiser that you have finished, so that safety checks can be completed.
Competitors must report to the finish by 9pm.
Facilities
Toilets available in the pub for customers.
Newcomers welcome. Help and guidance available.
Why not stay behind at the end for a drink afterwards and discuss your course and route choice.
Nearest A&E Hospital
Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, CM1 7ET
NHS Urgent care search
Safety Notes
Participation is at your own risk. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.
Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions. High visibility clothing is strongly recommended.
As with any street orienteering you are required to cross roads and you are asked to take due care and attention at all times.
There may be dog walkers, cyclists or residents on pavements and footpaths – be aware and give them priority.
A comprehensive risk assessment will have been carried out by the organiser, but participants take part at their own risk and are responsible for their own safety during the event.
Miscellaneous
You are welcome to run together as a group, but in order to be fair we ask that you keep together, as when running as a group the least advantageous handicap is applied.
On-the-night bonus of 15 points per event for those running on the night, as opposed to MapRun Anytime catchup.
100 points will be allocated to the course organiser/planner for each event planned.
Please note: Participants who are not members of British Orienteering are not covered by British Orienteering’s public liability insurance. By entering this event, you acknowledge that you are taking part at your own risk. For example, if you were to accidentally injure a member of the public or damage property during the event, you would not be covered.