Northern Championships - not grim up North

[andypat]

No doubt there will be some constructive feedback on that issue post event

[AndyC]

I don't know about the fence in the moorland ( I seem to remember that the crossing point is a need rather than an option) but having been there recently the boundaries of the woods are obvious and it will be much easier to cross at the designated point anyway (Rule basically seems to be if you enter or leave a wood you need a crossing point).
Crossing the Disused Railway the rule is simple get a drink from Andy and run through the tunnel (and on the way back run through and then get a drink) no doubt about that.
The only people we could expect to have to cross the fence by the railway will be helpers related to the drinks station and possibly the Controller or Planner taking a shortcut to a control for some reason.

I take it you don't disagree Freefall?

[AndyC]

As zuluwarrior, lycraman, dustytoo and freefall haven't I'll bounce this to the top and remind you all that entries definitely close tonight for both events - Leazes Park in central Newcastle on Saturday and Ray Demense on Sunday.
EOD is available for LG, Orange Yellow and White (I'm about to arrange physical acess for the string course) for Sunday I think.
To echo the thirsty theme I think about 55 runners pass the drinks station (and 125 or so go near) when I last checked so I'm catering for 200 on the assumption that some won't detour but as there is a tap near "wet weather registration" top ups are possible

[andy]

is there any EOD on Saturday?

[AndyC]

Apart from me (special case because I may be needed at RD on Saturday or I may not) I don't think there is; It isn't offered in final details and the "who is doing what" list doesn't include it.
If you think you may want to join in but can't commit today - email the organiser and he MIGHT be able to help

[andy]

Apart from me (special case because I may be needed at RD on Saturday or I may not) I don't think there is; It isn't offered in final details and the "who is doing what" list doesn't include it.
If you think you may want to join in but can't commit today - email the organiser and he MIGHT be able to help

thanks for the response but I'd completely forgotten that I'd included them in the entry anyway, so no EOD needed!

[Freefall]

EOD is possible subject to map availability. You may not get the courses you want but we have some spare maps (some courses are fully subscribed now but not the M21E!)

[AndyC]

Colin -question was about Saturday - you're right about Sunday but Saturday has only got 2 courses because it is urban and I'm not sure if EOD is arranged or even possible due to the limited start window???

[Freefall]

I honestly don't know and have not been involved in any way!

[seabird]

2 of us have discovered today - purely by chance - that our start times have been put back 80 minutes since we checked earlier in the week.

I'd advise everyone to check their start time again.

[AndyC]

http://www.newcastleorienteering.org.uk/flyer/rdmx/StartsD2Coursev2.pdf

has the updated start list. I don't know about changes from the draft - I'd ask the organiser but he'll be preoccupied with the Leazes Park race at the moment

[seabird]

Good course. A beautiful day in a lovely setting.

Contrary to the impression given by the final details, the mosses provided some of the better running on the moorland - at least for old legs that struggle with deep heather.

And, of course. quite a few people did cross the fences at unauthorised points in the heat of competition.

I've seen quite a few courses, and could see no reason on any for the purple OOB lines not to have been used on the map.

[AndyC]

While repairing the three "temporary" crossing points I walked around the two most travelled woods this afternoon and fortunately I saw no damage to the fences or walls. I'm back there tomorrow to permanently fix the fences and will walk the other fences and check the remaining crossing points for damage. Hopefully all will be well as we really want to use that area again.

[Freefall]

I have written up some planner's comments so hopefully these will appear sometime soon. Thanks for so much positive feedback on my courses - and well done Duncan for a brilliant fast run on M21E. I spoke to one of the W21E and she was in agreement that purple overprints would have been confusing in that last area - that's why I left them off. Still no reason for a number (mainly junior Elites) to cheat on the main N-S fence on the moor. I doubt anything apart from a lethal electric charge will change some competitors' attitude to the rules about crossing. Unfortunately they don't read Nopesport so they would only have seen the final details and/or notices at the start. I'm knackered so that's it for now.

[Wendles]

Here are some photos from today's Northern Champs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wendles56/sets/72157626241382783/

Get in touch if you would like copies emailed out.