jk 2024

[Arnold]

My comments were meant to be a little over-pointed and I apologise for tarring everyone with the same brush (myself included, having been responsible for organising the JHIs not long ago). They were more meant as an illustration of how the system seems to currently work at least in my experience - certainly in the South there rarely seem to be a lot of keen volunteers for the key roles particularly on the organisation side.

But I'm not saying that there aren't keen volunteers or that those that do take on key roles aren't fully committed - just that I think the system is worth revisiting.

So thank you @dm for a great JK last year
And @jennyj I'm sure YHOA are fully up for a great JK next year, if nothing else given the size and success of SYO at the moment! The only question I have is, did it have to be Wharncliffe...

[Homer]

The only question I have is, did it have to be Wharncliffe...

The exact same question I asked when I agreed to Plan...

[frostbite]

JK are still using timed starts rather than a punching start; this led to unwanted jostling from the keenies as we tried to extract maps from crates. A punching start would be more gentlemanly.

The usual thing for timed starts is for competitors to stand by their map box at -1 minute, ready to pick up the map and set off on the start beep. This was the arrangement for the sprint but not for the middle and long. It means there is no jostling to get to the map box although there can still be hold ups on the run out. It helps to order the maps so that the faster runners are more likely to be towards the front and slower runners towards the back.

At Beaudesert we effectively got a punching start arrangement without the punch. You can't avoid bumping into people.

[roadrunner]

What are the bibs for ? We are identified to the system by the numbers embedded in the SI Card. Is this another pre-electronics historical thing that could be forgotten ?

Remember that the event had sponsors, and part of that is having their names/logos on the bib. It's universal at running events even though nearly all of them use some form of chip timing. (Admittedly, sometimes the chip is part of the bib, which isn't the case for orienteering.) Bibs are also useful as a reminder of course number and perhaps start if there are several, which is often different at big events (for example, I'm usually on Course 4 at urban events but it was Course 12 at the sprint).

[Scott]

We only did the relays, which were well-organised and very good fun, although it would have been nice (particularly at my hobbling speed) to have a few controls in the contoury wooded slope and less on the heathery moorland.

Does anybody know why the Elite courses had 1:10k on Day 3?

[Snail]

What are the bibs for ? We are identified to the system by the numbers embedded in the SI Card. Is this another pre-electronics historical thing that could be forgotten ?

Remember that the event had sponsors, and part of that is having their names/logos on the bib. ...

if I was a JK sponsor not sure that having a name / logo on the bib would be very attractive. I get it for athletics events where you perhaps have a single title sponsor with a large logo and plenty of face-on pictures or TV coverage, or podium presentations where athletes are still wearing their kit and bib, or plenty of close-up spectators. But none of these apply in orienteering.

There are no photos of winners / presentations on the JK or BO sites. Plenty of excellent race photos from Wendy Carlyle, but of the many I have looked at I can't make out sponsor details on a single one. So the only people who might get to see the logo are fellow competitors, who already know about the sponsors whether bibs are folded or not. Large banners behind the run-in or podium might be better than on bibs.

I agree that having start, start time, and course on bibs reduces the chances of competitor errors. Not sure why a race number itself needs to be so large, given that commentary is now generally picked up from radio punches at the final control.

[awk]

I'm assuming it must have been something to do with the sponsors or race info on the number, as, when I forgot to put my number on at the sprints, I was met with a blank refusal to consider anything other than my collecting it from the car. Although, I am reliably informed ( by the people it happened to) that the start teams at Day 2/3 were more flexible in their approach.

[Karen]

In the long past, pre SI days, were bibs a way of identifying competitors crossing walls where they shouldn't and other infringements? Or at least a threat they might be identified and called out.

[housewife]

The bibs are vital as a way of identifying the name of that person who is talking to you who you are sure you ought to know but just can’t think of their name. I thought everyone knew that!

Re: the autistic spectrum point, I thought there was a quieter start area on the sprint day, but I might be wrong. I agree that it would be a good idea. And yes after the JK I am minded not to enter the British middles, just taxi the kids along and go for a nice run. There is a limit to the amount of mud I can face.

I do LOVE a bit of wharncliffe! It’s got enough variety to forgive the more brambly bits.

[awk]

And yes after the JK I am minded not to enter the British middles, just taxi the kids along and go for a nice run. There is a limit to the amount of mud I can face

The planner told me last night, at the Aire evening event, that the forest itself is in pretty good condition, and he's really happy with the map. (BTW, that was a cracking little event too - interesting area, middle distance style, sprint distance. We both had a ball).

[roadrunner]

I'm assuming it must have been something to do with the sponsors or race info on the number, as, when I forgot to put my number on at the sprints, I was met with a blank refusal to consider anything other than my collecting it from the car. Although, I am reliably informed ( by the people it happened to) that the start teams at Day 2/3 were more flexible in their approach.

Another factor might be what happens in the event of an accident - yes, your name, emergency contact details and so on could be obtained by phoning your SI Card number to the organiser (always assuming you still had it!), but reading them off a bib is quicker. Of course, on that basis we should have them at all events...