Oxford City Race

[SJC]

Unlike DVO, OUOC also don't have the income from hosting this year's JK Relays or next year's Midland Championships to help fund their club.

[awk]

Good to see so many responses, an emotive subject which means I am asking the correct questions.

Doesn't look to me you're asking the correct questions at all. Seems to be a determined effort to continue to criticise an excellent event in the face of unanimous, rather more informed, opposition.

[buzz]

The thing I really didn't like about MrD's 'question', apart from the tone, was the presumption that making a profit from an event is a bad thing.

If the event is of high quality, provides enjoyment for hundreds of folk and raises the bar for other organisers to follow what's not to like.

Most of the best UK events that I've been to in recent years have been put on by Masterplan Adventures - I believe on a professional basis. The events aren't that cheap to enter but the price is fully justified by the quality of maps and courses and often access to new areas that haven't been used before. They also provide a legacy of quality maps and terrain for training and future races and don't impact heavily on volunteer resources.

Given the entries to coast and islands sold out faster than an oasis concert they're clearly doing something right!

University clubs typically provide an excellent service in promoting orienteering to a younger audience and this is no doubt made easier if they are able raise funds from putting on events, and if they choose to subsidise a social activity or training camp in the process then I for one wouldn't begrudge them.

[nooomember]

"Who did their re-con by watching A Clockwork Orange?",
No, for Thamesmead I started watching the E4 series "Misfits" as it was all filmed at around the Southmere Centre , plus some scenes at the Start area, and continued to watch it.
Thamesmead And Oxford were both excellent and contrasting events , and enjoyable , and worth every penny, well done to both DFOK and OUOC, (also outdoing CUOC who wont permit headcam use!)
Unlike many Level A events ,(often run/overseen by BO , where double the regular entry fee gets you little extra, especially now there's not even any water! unlike most foreign events with plentiful facilities , (and not just for Elite runners).

[Atomic]

The thing I really didn't like about MrD's 'question', apart from the tone, was the presumption that making a profit from an event is a bad thing.

exactly - I assume he is disappointed that Masterplan are running the resolution sprint on the same day as the DVO event he linked for 50% more on shorter courses!