Summer Series No.4 HighwoodsWed 29 May
SOS/HAVOC Summer Mid-Week Series 2024
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 & Woodland
Results
Report
Organiser’s Report
People seemed to enjoy the course, although this may have been slightly on the harder side for the mid-week events.
I tried to offer route choice between controls, while also keeping to benches and bridges within the woodland so that the controls wouldn't be too hard to find. Looking at the MapRun tracks I see lots of different routes were taken, especially in the woodland.
We affixed stickers to the benches and bridges in case of GPS issues, which was a good idea as a few had trouble picking up some of the signals, and it allowed people to confirm they were at the right place. The main controls where people had issues were 2, 5 and 12.
From looking at the tracks on MapRun and the letters written down, everyone managed to find all the controls, which was great to see.
Dean & Chris
Overview
The event will form part of HAVOC/SOS Mid-Week Winter O’ League. Points will be awarded based on finishing times adjusted using an age/gender handicap system. Each missed or incorrect control will incur a 5 minutes penalty. Best 6 results from the 8 event series will count.
'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.
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.
100 points will be allocated to the course organiser/planner for each event planned.
League rules and points calculation available here
Location Info
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Near: Colchester Lat,Lng: 51.90443,0.91882 Postcode: CO4 9RY
Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap -
OpenStreetMap -
BingMap (OS 50k)
Directions / Parking
Highwoods Country Park, Chanterelle Car Park, CO4 9RY
TM 0085 2691 W3W ///normal.bump.left
Free parking is available in the car park
Map / Terrain
Open Orienteering Map. Scale 1:10,000
This event uses MapRun software. Please use a smartphone or Garmin watch and ensure you have the latest version of MapRun installed on your phone.
Details of how to obtain a copy of the app and how it works can be found here. There is also a HAVOC user guide here.
Download the course onto the app by clicking on ‘Select Event' in the app, and following the menu path UK > Essex
The courses are Highwoods Summer 2024:
Highwoods Long
Highwoods Short
The course map will not be visible on your phone until you receive the PIN number at Registration on the night. You do not need the PIN number to run using a Garmin watch. Your result will be automatically downloaded when you finish. The full procedure will be explained at Registration. Control sites are fire hydrants, park benches or bridges. If the app fails to register your visit to a control, you need to note the lower number on the H sign, or letter fixed to the feature. 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. Please ensure you notify the organiser that you have finished, so that safety checks can be completed.
If you are unable to use MapRun, you are still very welcome to take part by completing the control card with pen or pencil, but be aware that this is a slower method. You will be timed by clock, and written answers will be checked. Please bring a pen to mark the control card and a map bag if wet.
Course Information
Long course 5.8k (20 controls) 1:10000
Short course 3.6k (12 controls) 1:10000
All measured as direct distances between controls.
Controls are fire hydrants (a black circle on the control descriptions) in street sections, and in Highwoods Country park on benches (a black x on the map and control descriptions) and bridges (a short thick black line on the map and two parallel lines on control descriptions).
The course is on roads, footpaths, woods and parkland.
Entry Details
Enter this event via Racesignup on line here
£5 Seniors, £2 under 21 or students, £1 discount for senior orienteering club members
Entries close at 12:00 noon on Tuesday 28th May.
For late entries email series coordinator.
Registration and Start times
Start times will be between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Competitors must report to the finish by 8:45pm.
Facilities
Toilets available at Tesco Store Highwoods Square CO4 9ED.
Newcomers are welcome. Help and guidance will be available.
Post event refreshment and deliberations: Rovers Tye Ipswich Road CO4 9BA. TBC
Contacts / Officials
Organiser/Planner:
Dean Pepper 07817 558216 deanjpepper@gmail.com
Chris Childs 07847 501560 christopher.childs@tiscali.co.uk
SOS Series Coordinator:
Chris Childs
Nearest A&E Hospital
Colchester Hospital Turner Road Colchester CO4 5JL
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.
As with any street orienteering participants will be required to cross roads and you are asked to take due care and attention at all times. High visibility clothing is strongly recommended.
There may be dog walkers, cyclists or residents on pavements and footpaths – be aware and give them priority.
It is a condition of entry that participants agree to follow the British Orienteering Participant Code of Conduct.
Miscellaneous
SOS/HAVOC Summer Series Following Events
Event 5 Thurs June 13 HAVOC Rainham Seb Parris
Event 6 Wed June 26 SOS Colchester Tim Hull & John Allen
Event 7 Thurs July 11 HAVOC Sth Ockendon Graham Batty
Event 8 Wed July 17 SOS TBC Kevin Machin