Winter Series No.8 HornchurchWed 7 Feb

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/Planner’s Report

Thank you all for venturing to the London borough of Havering to run around the eastern side of Hornchurch. We were fortunate with the weather after the torrential rain most of the day before. It was a cold night of 6 degrees and still wet in places. I apologise to all of you on the long course that had to get your feet wet immediately prior to your pint! It wasn't always like that I promise!

I decided to incorporate the river Ingrebourne on both courses as it's a very distinct feature in the area and has some well-maintained paths. Both courses visited controls along it's northern and southern banks and the river had to be crossed by all competitors at least twice.
The long course grazed the south side of Harrow lodge park, visiting the towering flats of the park hill estate, and ended up on the airfield estate, with plenty of route choice amongst some very tightly packed controls. The short course hugged hacton lane, at the beginning, and its array of garaged alleyways. Then it needed some cunning route choices while moving through the streets around Hacton Primary School.
Hope you enjoyed the challenge, as one competitor commented to me" its better than sitting at home watching tv".

Cheers

Seb


Details of the scoring can be found at this link.

Details of the all the results in the series can be found on the series homepage.

The next event is in Hatfield Peverel. Details on the SOS website.

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

Last updated: Fri 09 February, 2024

Overview

The event will form part of the 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-minute 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. Full results will be emailed via RaceSignUp and published on the SOS and HAVOC websites.
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.

Location Info

Near: Hornchurch
Lat,Lng: 51.54862,0.23377
OS Grid Ref: TQ549856
Postcode: RM11 3UX
What3Words: sheep.shuts.dads

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

Directions / Parking

Event centre is the Optimist Tavern, Hacton Lane, Upminster, RM14 2XY. Grid Ref TQ TQ549856. What3words sheep.shuts.dads. Registration will be inside the Optimist Tavern. NB. The venue is within the ULEZ
Start and Finish will be at the north end of the car park on the T junction of Hacton Lane and Alder Avenue.

Directions: Just a 10-minute drive from junction 29 on the M25. Head north and take the A127 exit to Basildon/Romford/Southend then at the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A127 slip road to London (E&C)/Romford. Merge onto Southend Arterial Road/A127, continue onto Hacton Lane, take a slight left onto Park Farm Road, and you’ll find the tavern on the left.

TBC

Map / Terrain

OOMap urban Scale Long Course 1:10,000 Short Course 1:7500

Controls will be fire hydrants and one post box. You need to record the lower number on fire hydrants if not using Maprun.

Course Information

Long Course 7.5k 22 controls
Short Course 3.7k 13 controls
Note: these are straight line distances, optimal route will be longer.

Controls will mostly be fire hydrants; will likely also use other street furniture or home made signs. You need to record the lower number on fire hydrants; where otherwise it will be made clear.

Start and Finish will be at the north end of the car park on the T junction of Hacton Lane and Alder Avenue.

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, or other reference as directed. If you are not using MapRun, then please bring a pen to mark the control card. Please also bring a map bag if wet.

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 (MapRun6) installed and the course is downloaded to your phone/watch before you arrive.

Note: All competitors will still receive a paper map - no need to squint at your phone to see the route!

Details of how to obtain a copy of the app and how it works can be found on the HAVOC website.
There is also a HAVOC user guide on the HAVOC website.

Download the course onto the app by clicking on ‘Select Event', in the app, and following the menu path UK > Essex

The courses are:
Hornchurch East Long
Hornchurch East 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.

Entry Details

Via Racesignup
£4 Seniors, £2.00 under 21 or students. Additional £1 levy if not a member of BOF, to cover insurance costs.

Registration and Start times

Start at times between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. Competitors must report to the finish by 8:45pm

Facilities

Venue for refreshments: The Optimist Tavern, Hacton Lane, Upminster, RM14 2X2XY. Hot food is available. See pub website for menu and advance booking:

https://www.emberinns.co.uk/nationalsearch/london/the-optimist-tavern-upminster/food

Toilets available in pub

Contacts / Officials

Organiser/Planner – Seb Parris
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

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 8.45pm even if they wish to retire.

Miscellaneous

The next events are as follows:

Event 9 Wed Feb 21 SOS Dave Game Hatfield Peverel
Event 10 Wed Mar 6 HAVOC Colin Jackson TBC