Winter Series No.9 SpringfieldWed 15 Feb

SOS/HAVOC Winter Mid-Week Series 2022/2023

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

PLANNER'S REPORT

This event organising/planning proved to be more of a challenge than is usual. The original parking spot was going to be closed. I was wanting to make sure that we did not crowd out an area that already had a lot of on-street parking. I scouted out an alternative and wrote to St Augustine's Church and Cath Lyons very kindly gave us permission to use the church car park.

The next problem was the inconsistent map. The top third of the map had all the pavements marked on as footpaths, where the rest of the map did not. Also, a number of cut-throughs were missing from the map (and I know I missed a load more!). So quite a bit of overlay with whiting out and redrawing roads and footpaths was required!

As for the courses. That was interesting. I could see that with careful planning a lot of route choice could be introduced. Unfortunately, this did mean more controls than normal, but I hope it kept you thinking. The Long course was designed to get more interesting, and tricky as it went on, which a number of people said they appreciated, but it was possibly a bit too long(?) - maybe a topic for further discussion.

The Short course proved to be well received and there was hopefully the right amount of route choice and interest.

Thank you all for coming. See you again soon.

Kevin Machin

Last updated: Fri 17 February, 2023

Overview

The event will form part of HAVOC/SOS Mid-Week 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 series will count. 50 bonus points added for undertaking any one of the Essex MapRuns during the series - just confirm run to Coordinator. Full results will be emailed and published on the SOS and HAVOC websites.

Location Info

Location map

Near: Chelmsford
Lat,Lng: 51.75132,0.49833
Postcode: CM1 6GX
What3Words: kinks.chats.each

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

Directions / Parking

St Augustine’s Church, St. Augustine’s Way, Springfield, CM1 6GX (nearest postcode for parking)
Park in the church car park. (No toilets available here – see Facilities below)

Map / Terrain

Open Orienteering style map 1:7500 scale printed on waterproof paper

Course Information

Long Course 6.4km Short Course 3.3km (course lengths subject to final confirmation). These are direct distances between controls. Your route will be longer.

Controls are all fire hydrants. You will need to record the lower number.
Please bring a pencil or pen and a torch/headtorch.

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

Entry Details

Pre-entry via www.racesignup.co.uk
£4 Seniors, £2 under 21 or students.

Entries close 23:59 Monday 13th February

For late entries email series co-ordinator

Registration and Start times

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

Facilities

Nearest toilets (0.8 miles) are available at Sainsbury’s in Springfield, 1st floor at the back of the café. Go before you arrive!

Nearest pub for post-race drinks and analysis is the Gardeners, Forsythia Cl, Springfield, Chelmsford CM1 6XW (Food available until 8pm)

www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/essex/gardeners/

Contacts / Officials

Planner/Organisers
Kevin Machin Email: kevinpmachin@gmail.com Tel: 07875 648864
Series Coordinator Chris Childs christopher.childs@tiscali.co.uk

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 torch or hand torch is mandatory.

As with any urban orienteering this requires participants 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.

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

Miscellaneous

Just one more event after this to conclude the winter series:

Event 10. Wed Mar 01 HAVOC Shenfield

Summer Series starts after Easter