W' Series No. 10 Laindon WestWed 6 Mar

SOS/HAVOC Winter Mid-Week Series 2023-24

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

Organiser’s Report

Thank you all for running in the final event of the winter street O series for 2023/24.

The weather was dry and not too cold, and planner, Colin, made good use of the parks and streets in the area, giving a fair amount of route choice and some tricky navigation requiring close contact with the map. A fitting end to another successful series.

The courses will be available for MapRun catchups for two weeks, and then after for normal MapRun runs.

The courses were mostly on paths, although there were a couple of route choices on the long which involved some muddy fields! Colin cut the course lengths down a bit in the last few days, and this worked in that the winning times were within guidelines. We had a few issues with GPS coverage, especially at the start, but mostly seemed to sort itself out on the way round the courses. I did find my watch was registering visits a little way from the controls, so I think it thought I was 10-15m away from where I was.

The results are shown on the website. Any queries, then let me know and I will get them corrected.

Melanie Sirett (Short) and Seb Parris (Long) were quickest on the courses, and both held on for the win once handicaps were applied. Tim had a fall about two thirds of the way round, but he seems to be ok now. Just one missing control logged for all the runners.

The series champions can now be crowned, as although the catchup is open for another two weeks, the top three on each course cannot be caught.

On the short course, David Game got full scores on six events, so took the title with an event to spare. Melanie Sirett took two wins in the last three events to jump into second. Colin Jackson took third place, just Colin and Melanie attending all events (although so did David, although his event 7 bonus went onto the Long course.

Turning to the Long course, and we had Tim Hull and Dean Pepper attending all events. Lyn West took the early lead in the series, but she was pegged back, and Gary Chandler takes the title this season, with three wins from the last five events. Tim Hull narrowly takes third place, just 1 point clear of Seb Parris in fourth.

In total we had 39 entrants on the short, 48 on the long, for 328 runs in total. This includes MapRun catchups which were approximately 2 or 3 per race.

As always, thanks to the 10 planners/organisers for the events, without whom there would be no series. Thanks also Chris Childs for assisting in the series co-ordination for SOS.

Details of the event scoring are here:

The series webpage is here:

We are currently planning the next summer series, which will be run along the same lines as for previous series, and hopefully will provide MapRun catch-ups for all events again, meaning if you can’t make it on the night there is a chance to score points in the league anyway. We will continue with the on-the-night bonus though to reward people for supporting the events on the night. This proved crucial in the podium places for the Long course this winter series.

Draft date for the first event in the summer series is April 18th. Full details will be found on the HAVOC website and will be emailed nearer the time.

Any questions you have about the event or your entry please contact the event organiser: streeto@orienteering-havoc.co.uk

Last updated: Sat 09 March, 2024

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 10 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

Location map

Near: Laindon
Lat,Lng: 51.57547,0.41091
Postcode: SS15 6RA

Open an interactive map in:
GoogleMap - OpenStreetMap - BingMap (OS 50k)

Directions / Parking

The event starts and finishes at The Four Seasons Pub, Victoria Road, Laindon, SS15 6AW

What3Words location: cable.woods.lion

Parking available in the large pub car park

Registration will be at the first tables on the Right Hand Side as you go in the main entrance of the pub.

The Start & Finish will be outside, at the large pub sign, at the entrance to the car park.

Map / Terrain

We are going to run this event using the MapRun software. Therefore, please, if possible, use a smartphone (or Garmin watch) and ensure you have latest version of MapRun software installed and the course is downloaded to your phone/watch before you arrive. 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 >

Laindon West Long 7 Laindon West Short

The course map will not be visible on your phone until you receive the PIN number at Registration on the night. (Note – you do not need the PIN number to run using a Garmin watch). There are no written answers required with MapRun and your result will be automatically downloaded when you finish. The full procedure will be explained at Registration. Note, that if a control is missed then the software will show your result as Mispunch, but in the official 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 welcome to take part by completing the control sheet with pen or pencil but be aware that this is a much slower method. With this approach, timing will be manually by a traditional clock, and written answers will be checked as per previous events.

Course Information

Long Course 6.0 km Short Course 3.5 km

Courses subject to final planning. These are direct line distances – optimal route will be longer.

Open Orienteering Map style: 1:10,000 scale (long), 1:7,500 scale (short).

Controls are mostly fire hydrant ‘H’ signs, actual or home-made, and may be other street furniture.

If you are using MapRun then you will not need to record answers on a control card. However, if the app doesn't register your visit, then you need to record the lower number on the H sign. If you are not using MapRun, then please bring a pen to mark the control card and a map bag if wet.

Entry Details

£4 Seniors, £2 under 21 or students. £1 surcharge for non-orienteering club members

Pre-entry and pre-payment are required using www.racesignup.co.uk

Registration and Start times

Start times between 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Courses close at 9pm.

Facilities

Venue for refreshments: The Four Seasons Pub, Victoria Road, Laindon, SS15 6AW
Toilets available at the pub
The kitchens close for meals at 9pm.

Newcomers welcome. Help and guidance available.

Contacts / Officials

Organiser/Planner – Colin Jackson Email: chairman@orienteering-havoc.co.uk Tel: 07368 549679
Series Coordinator – David Float Email: streeto@orienteering-havoc.co.uk Tel: 07801 216634
Covid 19 Officer – Graham Batty Email: membership@orienteering-havoc.co.uk Tel: 07985 609719

Nearest A&E Hospital

Basildon University Hospital SS16 5NL
NHS Urgent care search

Safety Notes

Participation is at your own risk. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Torches are required. Some routes will be on unlit roads and footpaths. Bring clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather conditions. Shorts are not recommended due to vegetation scratches/stings. As with any urban orienteering which requires participants to cross the road, you are asked to take due care and to always pay attention. High visibility clothing is strongly recommended. There may be dog walkers, cyclists or residents on pavements and footpaths – be aware and give them priority. All competitors must report they have finished in the pub by 9pm even if they wish to retire.

The event will be run strictly in accordance with published BOF and Government guidance. It is a condition of entry that participants agree to follow the BOF COVID19 Participant Code of Conduct.