Area Sprint/Middle Champs

[SJC]

Maybe we should use long/classic/middle/sprint as indications of length and not attach too many preconceptions about what that impies on planning style.

The problem with that approach is that "length" depends on who is running the course.
A Blue course is classic length for an M55 but only middle length for an M21.
Hence how you classify it should depend on both who it is aimed at and the planning style.

[Gnitworp]

Can I ask a silly question?

Why is the so called Middle Distance 'style' of orienteering only applicable for a race lasting 30-35mins?

Why cannot a longer race be an equal or better test of the so called 'style' of orienteering or indeed any 'style' of orienteering.

I'll take 'an SI unit won't hold all the extra splits' as a 'given'.

[awk]

Can I ask a silly question?

Why is the so called Middle Distance 'style' of orienteering only applicable for a race lasting 30-35mins?Why cannot a longer race be an equal or better test of the so called 'style' of orienteering or indeed any 'style' of orienteering.

Why is the steeplechase only held over 3000m? Why do only women compete on the asymmetric bars? Why is rugby played with an oval ball? Why are there races over all sorts of largely set distances in athletics and all sorts of other sports? And so on and so on. A lot of things appear to be somewhat arbitrary in sport. That's sport! I could also ask why can't a shorter race than the Classic be an equal or better test. The answer is that it doesn't matter, but some people prefer or are better adapted to running shorter distances. I for one generally prefer middle and sprint distances to longer distances, although I do enjoy them as well.

[geomorph]

Can I ask a silly question?
Why is the so called Middle Distance 'style' of orienteering only applicable for a race lasting 30-35mins?
Why cannot a longer race be an equal or better test of the so called 'style' of orienteering or indeed any 'style' of orienteering.

This sport, as I 've ranted before, is full of confusing and inconsistent terms, and as AWK says most sports have their idiosyncrasies.

As it stands we have something which purports to be a technique or a content (I'm not sure which, and I'm not sure who REALLY knows) but is called a distance, and thus has a set of age related distances assigned to constrain it.

I'd prefer to use 'style' than distance eg middle style, sprint style, long style, urban style...... but even that is inconsistent cos the content of any one may contain elements from any other.

So there seems to be no simple terms that adequately describe the offer. In that case we should follow corporation re-branding principles and utilise independent evocative words.

Any suggestions?

oh well... I might not give the answer that you want me to

[Miner]

I prefer running the short race for my age category at regional events. When I ran in the South East middle distance champs the course was the same length as the usual short courses I run but I was allocated ranking points for a long course - very confusing. I preferred the 'middle' race as there seemed fewer unnecessary controls.

Can I also congratulate the planner of the HH Ashridge event. I didn't have the greatest run but I found the course very enjoyable for precisely the same reason - there were no clusters of unnecessary controls. Every control either offered a challenge or moved you on round the course.

[Midlands Planner]

Bump...

The lower entry fees for the First Midland Middle Distance Championships (Sunday 24th - Irchester, Wellingborough) and the First Midlands Sprint Championships (Sat 23rd - Milton Keynes) close at midnight Sunday.

I will display the old map of Irchester at the Maize Maze race this afternoon to whet your appetite. You thought that Cademan (BMDC09) was detailed

Entries and info via http://www.fabian4.co.uk

[geomorph]

Bump...

The lower entry fees for the First Midland Middle Distance Championships (Sunday 24th - Irchester, Wellingborough) and the First Midlands Sprint Championships (Sat 23rd - Milton Keynes) close at midnight Sunday.

I will display the old map of Irchester at the Maize Maze race this afternoon to whet your appetite. You thought that Cademan (BMDC09) was detailed

Entries and info via http://www.fabian4.co.uk

LEI have posted on BO and own websites that this event is cancelled 'due to circumstances beyond our control'

Any detail on the reason?

[Mrs H]

What a shame - Mr H brought back a copy of the map from the Maize Maze and we'd never seen anything like it. Unfortunately it is the first weekend of half term and we are going away otherwise we would certainly have come - any chance it might be held at another time?

[Scott]

Yeah, I also picked up a copy of the Irchester map on Saturday and thought it looked like great fun. I hope we'll get a chance to run on it at some point in the future.

[Midlands Planner]

From the LEIOC web : -

<<<LEI regret to announce that due to circumstances outside their control the Midlands Middle Distance Championships at Irchester on 24th October 2010 has had to be cancelled. Competitors who have already entered will receive a full refund of their entry fee.>>>



There were a number of contributing factors that lead to the cancellation, and, as the quality of the event may have been affected, it was decided to cancel. The decision was not taken lightly and we have not yet decided whether the event will take place in the future so it may be a postponement.

There has not been an orienteering event in Irchester since about 2004, mainly due to the distance we have to travel from our central area to get there and the age of the map. But, once there, it is a truly remarkable area as the old map suggests. What the old map does not convey is that the majority of the earthbanks (271 according to OCAD and that does not include the smaller ones and the ones depicted by contours!) are simply enormous. You can stand between the banks with no oversight. The effect is like being in a canyon, most are about 3 – 4m high. All this in generally runnable forest.

There is a summer league event programmed for summer 2011, but this may move if we reschedule the middle races.

Please support the Midland Sprints at Milton Keynes on the Saturday (http://www.smoc.info) and there is a wide choice of events for your Sunday amusement.

Again our apologies to those that had wanted to compete.

[AndyC]

I'm sure I'll get the whole details after the 1st LEI Summer Evening Event next year but is there something strange about that Sunday as the BOF event list shows no less than 3 cancelled events for that day.....?