Course ID on the back of maps

[PhilJ]

Slighty off topic but at an overseas event this year (Croatia) when we were handed our splits after downloading instead of them on a receipt type bit of paper, they were printed on sticky labels (assume they had rolls of sticky labels in the printer that auto cut), which meant that you could peel the back off the label and stick the splits to the map. I thought this was ingenious instead of trying to remember to staple the splits to the map when you got home (if they actually got home).

[andy]

I thought this was ingenious instead of trying to remember to staple the splits to the map when you got home (if they actually got home).

Or you could just throw them in the bin and look them up online? (I still don't understand why we insist on printing splits)

[Kitch]

"slightly off topic" ?? really ?
too lazy to start a new one

which supplies me with a neat link to get back on topic

Too lazy to check you have the right map...
People will be wanting the organisers to make sure that they go to all the right controls next.
pathetic, blame someone else, culture

[andypat]

Aw come on Kitch.
Its not necessarily about blame, responsibility certainly. But I can think of several examples where someone has been handed the incorrect map by a starter, or the maps were in the wrong box. Its clearly wrong to then go back and scream at the said starter for their error (also several examples!) but there should be a system to fix things that doesnt involve blame.

[madmike]

Slighty off topic but at an overseas event this year (Croatia) when we were handed our splits after downloading instead of them on a receipt type bit of paper, they were printed on sticky labels (assume they had rolls of sticky labels in the printer that auto cut), which meant that you could peel the back off the label and stick the splits to the map. I thought this was ingenious instead of trying to remember to staple the splits to the map when you got home (if they actually got home).

Daniele did this for ROMe 2013 as well - it went down very well with the participants.

andy - at home on the internet is a bit late for the immediate debrief!

[DJM]

10.4 Each competitor is responsible for checking that they have the correct map for their course. However, they are not permitted to look at their map until the start official allows them to.
BOF Rules 2014

There was a time when competitors were given the 10 seconds before their start time in which to check they have the right map. Some 20 years ago, BOF Rules said

9.3.5 At individual competitions competitors should receive their pre-marked maps not more than 10 seconds before their start time. Competitors should check to ensure that they receive the correct map.
BOF Rules 1992

So we have lost the (up to) 10s checking time and not replaced it with anything, and we now expect competitors to check they have the right map in race time ... and this is where the problem comes from.

Our map delivery system is clearly at fault here. Once the race has started, we have no mechanism for correcting an organiser fault where the competitor gets the wrong map. And it is unrealistic to expect competitors to check once the clock has start too.

Most non-British events I know of use a much better map delivery system. As described elsewhere, competitors in the -1 box stand by their respective map boxes which are on tables. Maps are usually upside down; others are the right way up with a cover to stop you seeing your course. Runners have the best part of a minute in which (a) the start officials can confirm that they are standing by the right box, and (b) to check that the map is theirs (course ID on back or corner of map made visible, etc).

An added bonus is that the start pens are often under gazebos which give competitors and officials alike protection from the elements. Yes, there's a lot of kit involved but, if most Europeans happily use this system, there's no reason why we can't too ...

[PhilJ]

Kitch: re splits - no need for a separate topic - just an observation that others may want to follow, not unless you want a topic on the merits of split printing - what are the best format, best printer, do we need them etc...but i'll let you create that if you are so passionate about splits.

My point, which you obviously missed, was not about blame it was more along the lines of simplyfing the sport and getting rid of course numbers in favour of only using age classes on map boxes therefore ensuring at least the competitor is directed to the correct map box, which is the Organisers responsibility! Whether the correct map is in the correct box scenario should never occur anyway if the event follows simple checking processes and that is also the Organisers responsibilty.

[plain lazy]

Too lazy to check you have the right map...

or too distracted... as was the case for me twice in 2013...

Once at Trossachs where I only realised my mistake after hiking 60m climb up to 1st control (which was same one as on as my control description) then noticed as I circled around looking for my #2, in wrong place entirely. I didn't go back to start that day, I completed the course I had on the map and declared myself Non Comp, but on reflection should have gone back to replace map incase map numbers were tight.

And again on Day 5 of the 6 Days last year at Roseisle, as I was quite competitive for a top 5 spot and I blew it on the start line by picking up the wrong map (M21L instead of M35L), then proceeding to nail every control on the map for the first 4 controls, but be totally confused as the codes didn't match (ran about like headless chicken and found correct one fairly nearby each time). I only spotted my mistake as I spiked #5 on the map after about 12 mins running very hard, again code was wrong but this time no other controls nearby.
(I took a long time getting back to the start but returned my map and collected my correct one before trudging the 3km back to car park)

6 Day races can be like long relay courses with different classes following very similar course shapes.

No excuses either time though, I was distracted talking to folk in the start pen, I didn't focus... I didn't check! It takes seconds to read the details at the top of the control descriptions, it's consistent on every map you ever pick up (or at least should be)

[denbydale]

In the Swiss 6 days this year competitors got their map at 1 minute to go - time to check if you've got the right map, where the start kite is, and hopefully, decide the right direction to head off in

Same advantage for everyone

[Snail]

Another system I have seen used is for competitors to pick a facedown map from a box at -1 minute, not look at it, but hold it visible to the start line official - who asks what class they are running and then confirms whether it is the correct map.

[Snail]

A second grey area is the one discussed above where the competitor gets significantly into their course. I would still tend to leniency - any advantage gained could be offset by the loss of race focus as a result of the incident.

... so someone can deliberately pick up a wrong map, and get 30 minutes to check out controls in the forest before returning for a new start time... ?

[Jayne]

Or you could just throw them in the bin and look them up online? (I still don't understand why we insist on printing splits)

So that you can sit in the pub comparing splits with your mates

[NeilC]

... so someone can deliberately pick up a wrong map, and get 30 minutes to check out controls in the forest before returning for a new start time... ?

If someone really wants to cheat like that, there are much more efficient ways of doing it, none of which are easy to police without resorting to quarantines.

[plain lazy]

Neither time I made my mistake it never occurred to me to try and go back and get my start time changed. If you have allocated start times the onus is on you to make that time slot, then pick up correct map etc etc... If like me you get wrong map due to your own lack of concentration you should not be allowed back to change your start time.
As far as I was concerned the clock was ticking... going back meant adding more time on to an already lost race.

Why would you allow folk to change their start time again, unless it was clear the maps were in incorrect boxes/bags.

[DJM]

Why would you allow folk to change their start time again, unless it was clear the maps were in incorrect boxes/bags.

I don't think anyone's suggesting that you get a second chance if it's your own fault - this is clearly wrong. The situation is very different if it's the organiser's fault however.

This is similar to the late at start situation, where

27.9 Competitors who are late for their start time through a fault of the organisation of the event must be given a new start time.
BOF Competition Rules 2014

Logic dictates that, although not specifically written anywhere, the same should apply to competitors who are supplied with the wrong map.