Winter Series No.3 MoulshamWed 15 Nov

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 & Parkland

Results

Report

SOS/HAVOC Mid-Week Winter Series – Moulsham

Organiser’s Report

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Moulsham event on 15th November, we hope you enjoyed it.

Congratulations to Benjamin and Joshua for achieving the fastest times for the Long and Short Courses on the night, prior to adjustments. Most of you will have realised that my unusual route and fast speed was achieved on a bike to test the system worked. The weather was much kinder than for the Witham event, which was fortunate and aided the use of mobile phones and Maprun. There didn’t appear to be significant problems with the technology, although the variation in GPS accuracy and time taken to recognise a location does seem to be remarkably variable. The point that was made about feeling vulnerable whilst running along the narrow, unlit footpath is valid and noted.

Thank you to everyone that helped make the event a success, especially Chris who sacrificed another competitive run, Jackie and Kevin.

Should anyone need assistance finding fire hydrants, one of my discoveries during the planning process was this website, which plots them and would have saved me several kilometres of walking. https://dataservices.riscauthority.co.uk/map/index

Last updated: Mon 26 February, 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

Near: Chelmsford
Lat,Lng: 51.70539,0.46941
Postcode: CM2 8RL
What3Words: ///racing.panthers.stung

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

Directions / Parking

Chelmer Park, Beehive Lane (B1009), Chelmsford, CM2 8RL

Free parking is available at Chelmer Park, off Beehive Lane. There is no height barrier, but the car park will be locked at 22:30.
https://loveyourchelmsford.co.uk/green-spaces/find-a-green-space/chelmer-park-recreation-ground/
Overflow parking is available 20m south of the main car park on a grassed area, if necessary.

The event control will be located in a car on the southern edge of the main car park.

Map / Terrain

Open Orienteering Map 1:10,000 printed on waterproof paper

The course is on roads, pavements, footpaths and parkland.

Course Information

Long Course 7.0k (16 controls) Short Course 3.5k (9 controls) measured as direct distances between controls.

Controls are all fire hydrants which are to be visited in order.

The event will be run using Maprun.
Information about Maprun is available at www.stragglers.info/info/virtual-orienteering-course
Please download the Maprun software in advance. You will be given an access code at the event.
Advice to runners – the printed map you receive more accurately defines the position of the controls.

The courses can still be completed conventionally, but you will need to record the lower number on the hydrant signs. If you wish to do this, please bring a pencil or pen.

The printed map has been updated to show more detail that is available on the electronic version, especially fences within Chelmer Park and around school playing fields.


Entry Details

Enter this event on line at www.racesignup.co.uk
£5 Seniors, £2 under 21 or students, £1 discount for orienteering club members
or
Enter all ten events at a discount via the Racesignup ‘Golden Ticket’
£40 for non-club members and £30 for orienteering club members.
Entries close at 12:00 noon on Tuesday 14th November.
For late entries email series coordinator.

Registration and Start times

Start at times between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Competitors must report to the finish by 8.45pm.

Facilities

Public toilets available in Chelmer Park, adjacent to the car park.

Newcomers are welcome. Help and guidance will be available.

Why not stay behind and join us for a drink in the Horse and Groom pub, Galleywood, CM2 8PL, which has free parking, serves food and is open until 22:00.
https://horse-and-groom-galleywood.business.site

Contacts / Officials

Organiser/Planner – Marc Owen & Chris Childs
Email: christopher.childs@tiscali.co.uk

Series Coordinator – Chris Childs
Email: christopher.childs@tiscali.co.uk Tel: 01206 574748 Mob: 07847 501560

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.
This is a night event. A head or hand torch are compulsory. High visibility clothing is strongly recommended.

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. On the Long Course, there will be two mandatory crossing points over a 40mph road shown on the paper map (a subway and a footbridge), but they are not indicated on the electronic copy. For fairness and safety, do not attempt to cross the road other than by the specified crossings, which are also marked as out of bounds.

There may be dog walkers, cyclists or residents on pavements and footpaths – be aware and give them priority.

Miscellaneous

Following Events:

Event 4 Wed Nov 29 HAVOC Graham Batty Corringham
Event 5 Wed Dec 13 SOS Jackie Sibthorp South Woodham Ferrers
Christmas Break
Event 6 Wed Jan 10 HAVOC Paul Beckett Pilgrims Hatch
Event 7 Wed Jan 24 SOS John Allen & Tim Hull Colchester
Event 8 Wed Feb 7 HAVOC Seb Parris Hornchurch East
Event 9 Wed Feb 21 SOS Dave Game Hatfield Peverel
Event 10 Wed Mar 6 HAVOC Colin Jackson TBC