BraintreeWed 28 Oct
Essex Winter Midweek Series 2026/27
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
Results
Report
I hope you all enjoyed the first event of this year’s Essex Midweek Winter Series.
Last night we had a few people join us who were new to the midweek series, which is great to have and we hope to see you at later events in the series.
Following the clocks being turned back an hour the previous weekend, it created full darkness to start the series. Luckily the wind and rain from the previous days stopped and it was a nice evening for running with 10 people on the short course and 17 people on the long course.
Initially I was going to plan an odds and evenings score event for a change, but during planning I found the twisty paths and alleys of the estate and realised that would make a good line event instead. I wanted routes with lots of choice, hence the use of some telegraph poles and a few shorter legs to force people to approach the next control from certain points. The MapRun tracks show several different routes were taken so this worked well.
I re-used several of the controls from the long course on the short course to have both courses going through the most interesting points and to have the potential social side of seeing other orienteers as you’re following your course. I was unsure whether the short course was slightly too long but with times ranging from 50 minutes to 1 hour 5 minutes it seemed about right.
Chris Childs was the fastest around the short course by 11 minutes, with Veronica Machin finishing second and Elspeth Missen finishing third. Chris held onto his lead after handicaps were applied to score the 100 points, with Veronica and Espeth scoring 89 and 87 points, respectively.
On the long course, Allen Smalls was the quickest by around 4 minutes, followed by Chris Prince then Jake Law. Once handicaps have been applied, Allen again holds onto that lead to also score 100 points, with Guy Lidbury taking second place and Kevin Guard taking third place - both scoring 90 points.
The next event in the series will be at Laindon West. Full details of the event will be published on the HAVOC website at:
https://www.orienteering-havoc.co.uk/events/essex-winter-midweek-series-2026-27-no.2-laindon-west-11-nov-2026
As always, we have a series webpage on the HAVOC website which contains details of all events and will have the maps to allow anytime runs in the two weeks after each event:
https://www.orienteering-havoc.co.uk/essex-winter-midweek-series-2026-27
Overview
Event 1 of the Essex Winter Midweek Series 2026/27.
Mid week hybrid event encompassing urban street running and potential off road running in woods, parks 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.
Points will be awarded based on final score adjusted using an age/gender handicap system. Best 6 results from the 10-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.
Newcomers are welcome, help and guidance is available.
Location Info
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Near: Braintree Lat,Lng: 51.8763,0.5741 Postcode: CM7 3PB
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Related events or Information
Directions / Parking
The event starts and finishes from The Orange Tree, Cressing Road, Braintree, CM7 3PH.
Map / Terrain
Standard Orienteering Map 1:10,000 printed on waterproof paper.
Course Information
Short course: 4.2km - 16 controls
Long Course: 6.4km - 24 controls
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 > Braintree.
The courses are:
Braintree Winter 2026/27 Long
Braintree Winter 2026/27 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
£4 Seniors, £2 under 21 or students.
Additional £1 levy if not a member of BOF, to cover insurace costs.
Alternatively, Golden Ticket available for automatic entry to all races in the series, at a reduced entry fee.
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.
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 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions. High visibility clothing and a head or hand torch 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.
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.